Logicsteps

LogicSteps provide a visual, component-based system for creating automation sequences without PLCs or programming. You can control drives, sensors, and signals through predefined logic components that execute in sequence.

Overview

LogicSteps enable automation engineers to create complex production sequences using Unity's Inspector interface. Each step is a component attached to a GameObject, and the component order determines execution sequence. The system supports both sequential and parallel execution patterns through container components.

LogicSteps automatically handle execution flow, progress visualization, and state management. Blocking steps pause execution until completion, while non-blocking steps execute immediately.

Properties

Base LogicStep Properties

All LogicStep components inherit these common properties:

Name

Unique identifier for the logic step.

• Type: String

• Default: Empty

• Use case: Required for jump operations and sequence debugging

State

Progress indicator for blocking operations.

• Type: Float (0-100)

• Default: 0

• Use case: Visual feedback for step completion progress (hidden for non-blocking steps)

Step Active

Indicates if this step is currently executing.

• Type: Boolean (read-only)

• Use case: Runtime debugging and monitoring

Container Components

Serial Container

Executes child LogicSteps in sequential order.

Debug Mode

Enables detailed execution logging.

• Type: Boolean

• Default: false

• Use case: Troubleshooting sequence execution

Active Logic Step

Index of currently executing step.

• Type: Integer (read-only)

• Use case: Monitor current execution position

Number Logic Steps

Total number of child steps.

• Type: Integer (read-only)

• Use case: Sequence overview and validation

Parallel Container

Executes child LogicSteps simultaneously.

Debug Mode

Enables detailed execution logging.

• Type: Boolean

• Default: false

• Use case: Troubleshooting parallel execution

Available LogicStep Types

Delay

Pauses execution for a specified duration.

Duration

Time to wait in seconds.

• Type: Float

• Default: 1.0

• Range: 0.1 to 3600.0

• Use case: Timing delays in production sequences

Drive To

Moves a drive to a specific position and waits for completion.

Drive

Target drive component to control.

• Type: Drive reference

• Default: None

• Use case: Connect to the drive you want to position

Destination

Target position in millimeters or degrees.

• Type: Float

• Default: 0

• Use case: Set absolute or relative target position

Destination From PLC Output

Alternative position source from PLC interface.

• Type: PLCOutputFloat reference

• Default: None

• Use case: Dynamic positioning from external control systems

Relative

Treats destination as offset from current position.

• Type: Boolean

• Default: false

• Use case: Incremental movements relative to current position

Live Edit

Enables real-time parameter adjustment during runtime.

• Type: Boolean

• Default: false

• Use case: Runtime tuning and debugging

Start Drive To

Initiates drive movement without waiting for completion.

Properties are identical to Drive To, but execution continues immediately to the next step.

Start Drive Speed

Sets drive speed for continuous movement.

Drive

Target drive component to control.

• Type: Drive reference

• Default: None

• Use case: Connect to the drive you want to control

Speed

Movement speed in mm/s or deg/s.

• Type: Float

• Default: 100

• Range: -1000 to 1000

• Use case: Positive for forward, negative for backward, zero to stop

Wait for Drives at Target

Pauses execution until specified drives reach their target positions.

Drives

List of drives to monitor.

• Type: Drive array

• Default: Empty

• Use case: Synchronize multiple drive movements

Wait for Sensor

Pauses execution until sensor reaches specified state.

Sensor

Target sensor component to monitor.

• Type: Sensor reference

• Default: None

• Use case: Connect to proximity, vision, or other sensor types

Wait for Occupied

Determines which sensor state triggers continuation.

• Type: Boolean

• Default: true

• Use case: true waits for occupied, false waits for not occupied

Wait for Signal Bool

Pauses execution until boolean signal reaches specified state.

Signal

Target signal to monitor.

• Type: Signal reference

• Default: None

• Use case: Connect to PLC or internal boolean signals

Wait for True

Determines which signal state triggers continuation.

• Type: Boolean

• Default: true

• Use case: true waits for signal true, false waits for signal false

Set Signal Bool

Sets a boolean signal to true or false.

Signal

Target signal to modify.

• Type: Signal reference

• Default: None

• Use case: Control PLC outputs or internal flags

Set to True

Value to assign to the signal.

• Type: Boolean

• Default: true

• Use case: true sets signal high, false sets signal low

Jump on Signal

Conditionally jumps to a named step based on signal state.

Jump to Step

Name of the target LogicStep to jump to.

• Type: String

• Default: Empty

• Use case: Must match the Name property of target step exactly

Signal

Signal to evaluate for jump condition.

• Type: Signal reference

• Default: None

• Use case: Connect to boolean signal for conditional logic

Jump On

Signal state that triggers the jump.

• Type: Boolean

• Default: true

• Use case: true jumps when signal is high, false jumps when signal is low

Enable

Controls GameObject active state.

GameObject

Target GameObject to enable or disable.

• Type: GameObject reference

• Default: None

• Use case: Show/hide objects or enable/disable components

Enable

Desired active state for the GameObject.

• Type: Boolean

• Default: true

• Use case: true activates GameObject, false deactivates it

Cinemachine Camera

Controls virtual camera activation for scene visualization.

Virtual Camera

Target Cinemachine virtual camera.

• Type: CinemachineVirtualCamera reference

• Default: None

• Use case: Switch camera views during automation sequences

Statistics LogicSteps

Stat Start Cycle

Marks the beginning of a production cycle for statistics.

Stat End Cycle

Marks the end of a production cycle for statistics.

Stat State

Records state information for performance analysis.

Stat Output

Generates statistical output data.

Usage Examples

Basic Sequence Setup

1. Create an empty GameObject for your sequence

2. Add LogicStep components in desired execution order

3. Configure each step's properties in the Inspector

4. Use Name property for steps referenced by jumps

5. Run the scene to execute the sequence

Sequential Process Example

1. Start Drive Speed (move conveyor forward)
2. Wait for Sensor (part detected)
3. Delay (settling time)
4. Drive To (position actuator)
5. Set Signal Bool (activate gripper)
6. Drive To (return actuator)
7. Start Drive Speed (continue conveyor)

Parallel Execution

1. Add Parallel Container component

2. Add child LogicSteps that should execute simultaneously

3. Each child step runs independently

4. Container completes when all children finish

Conditional Logic

1. Use Jump on Signal for branching logic

2. Set up signal monitoring for decision points

3. Create named target steps for jump destinations

4. Implement error handling with conditional jumps

Editor Tools

Adding LogicSteps

• Scene Menu: Right-click when LogicStep component is attached

• Component Menu: realvirtual > Add Component > LogicStep

• Quick Access: Overlay menu appears with all available steps

Sequence Management

• Drag and Drop: Reorder components to change execution sequence

• Progress Bars: Visual feedback for blocking operations

• Live Edit: Runtime parameter adjustment for debugging

• Debug Mode: Detailed logging for troubleshooting

Custom LogicStep Development

Creating Custom Steps

1. Create new script in LogicSteps folder

2. Inherit from LogicStep base class

3. Implement required methods:

   • NonBlocking(): Return true for non-blocking steps

   • OnStarted(): Execute step logic

4. Call NextStep() when step completes

Example Implementation

public class LogicStep_StartDriveSpeed : LogicStep
{
    public Drive drive;
    public float Speed;
    
    protected new bool NonBlocking()
    {
        return true;
    }

    protected override void OnStarted()
    {
        if (drive != null)
        {
            drive.TargetSpeed = Mathf.Abs(Speed);
            if (Speed > 0)
            {
                drive.JogForward = true;
                drive.JogBackward = false;
            }
            else if (Speed == 0)
            {
                drive.JogForward = false;
                drive.JogBackward = false;
            }
            else if (Speed < 0)
            {
                drive.JogForward = false;
                drive.JogBackward = true;
            }
        }
        NextStep(); 
    } 
}

Base Class Methods

• protected void NextStep(): Advance to next step in sequence

• protected void NextStep(string stepName): Jump to named step

• public void StartStep(): Initialize step execution

• protected void Start(): Begin sequence at runtime

Required Implementations

• protected new bool NonBlocking(): Define step execution type

• protected override void OnStarted(): Implement step behavior

💡 Hint Always call NextStep() when your custom step completes to ensure proper sequence flow.

See Also

• Drive - Motor control for LogicStep drive operations

• Sensor - Sensor components for wait conditions

• Unity Visual Scripting - Alternative visual programming approach

• Behavior Graph - Advanced logic definition system

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