# FAQ
# Do I need to know programming to use Naninovel?
Naninovel is designed to be friendly for non-programmers and doesn't require any programming knowledge in order to create basic visual novels. For example, our WebGL demo is created without any custom C# scripts. Check the getting started guide and video tutorial for an example of the basic workflow. However, adding custom features (gameplay) or integrating with other third-party packages will require C# (or visual) scripting in most cases. Specific features (eg, UI customization) could also require some experience with the Unity editor.
# Can I use Naninovel as a drop-in dialogue system for an existing game?
While Naninovel is focused around traditional visual novel games the engine is designed to allow integration with existing projects. If you're making a 3D adventure game, RPG or game of any other genre — you can still use Naninovel as a drop-in dialogue system.
Be aware, that in most cases such integration will require C# (or visual) scripting in varying extent. See the engine architecture overview to get a grasp of how Naninovel works and integration guide for more information on the integration options.
# Is it possible to embed a mini-game to Naninovel?
Sure, you can freely "inject" any custom logic to the default Naninovel flow. In most cases, however, this will require using the engine's C# API (via either writing custom C# scripts or using a visual scripting solution). Check the engine services guide for the list of available open APIs, which allows interaction with the engine; you may also make use of state outsourcing, custom actor implementations and custom commands in the process.
# Does it support a specific language?
Naninovel can work with any language, but to display text in some languages, you'll need a compatible font. Consult "Fonts" section of the localization guide for more info.
# Will I get access to the source code when I buy Naninovel?
All the Unity-related sources are available in the distributed package. Common Naninovel modules are precompiled into dynamic assembly with sources hosted on GitHub: github.com/Naninovel/Common.
# What are the legal usage terms and conditions?
Naninovel is governed by the following End User License Agreement (EULA): naninovel.com/eula. Please read the document carefully before downloading or using the application.
# Why am I getting "asset wasn't downloaded" error when attempting to register Asset Store license?
The asset download verification is required when Naninovel is purchased via Unity's Asset Store. In order for the verification to succeed, Naninovel has to be downloaded at least once via Unity's package manager by the user, which purchased the asset. In case multiple copies of the asset has been purchased, each copy has to be downloaded by the associated organization user.
In case you've made sure all the associated users have downloaded the asset but the error is still there, try waiting for some time to allow notification propagate on the Unity side. If it's still not working, contact Unity support with the order number and ask them to check why the download status is not changing.
We recommend purchasing Naninovel directly from us, especially when you need multiple licenses/seats. It's both cheaper and won't require any additional verifications.
# Why the package doesn't contain any demo scenes?
Naninovel is designed to be scene-independent and doesn't use Unity scenes in any way, hence it's not possible to make any kind of example or demo scenes. The engine is automatically initialized when the game is started (can be switched to manual initialization in the engine configuration window) and scenarios are scripted via text documents called naninovel scripts.
Please read through the getting started guide to get a grasp on how to use the engine. You can find additional examples on using various engine features and script commands in the rest of the guide and API command reference. In case you'd like a complete working project, which can be used as a reference, take a look at the demo project.
# How to customize the title (main) menu: add background, music, effects, change buttons, etc?
For the UI part (changing/adding buttons or panel layout and style) modify the built-in Title UI prefab; for everything else set Title Script
at the scripts configuration menu (Naninovel -> Configuration -> Scripts
) and use script commands to set up the scene just like when writing a scenario. The title script will be automatically played when entering the title menu. An example of the entire customization process is shown in the following video tutorial: youtu.be/hqhfhXzQkdk.
# How to remove a sky background appearing by default in all the Unity scenes?
Remove Skybox Material
in Window -> Rendering -> Lighting Settings
editor menu.
When you remove the skybox, camera's background color will be used instead to fill the screen when no objects are visible. You can change that color (as well as other related settings) by creating a camera prefab and assigning it to Custom Camera Prefab
property found inside Naninovel -> Configuration -> Camera
menu.
# How to change a font?
Built-in UIs bundled with Naninovel use a single default font. While you can easily specify additional fonts for the player to choose from (via Font Options
property in the UI configuration menu), you'd probably like to change the default font as well.
Font is an individual property of a text component; all the text components are part of specific UI prefabs. When adding custom UIs, you're free to set any fonts you like; they'll be used when "Default" font option is selected by the player in the game settings menu. In order to change a font in the specific text component of a built-in UI, modify it.
# Why a background is cropped?
Make sure aspect ratio of the background texture resolution is equal to the reference resolution set in the camera configuration. Also, ensure the texture is imported with the correct settings (eg, Max Size
is high enough).
When screen aspect ratio is different from the reference resolution ratio, background actor will attempt to match by default, which could cause cropping; see match mode guide for more information.
# How to add a line break to the message?
Check out [br]
command. Alternatively, <br>
tag will work with TMPro printers, eg:
First line.<br>Second line.
# How to inject a command in the midst of a printed text message?
Use command inlining.
# Hot to run commands concurrently?
Use wait
parameter, eg:
; Printer will start fading out at the same time as the characters
@hideChars wait:false
@hidePrinter
# How to make actors appear in front of each other (z-sorting)?
Use positioning over z-axis, eg:
; Make Sora appear at the bottom-center and in front of Felix
@char Sora pos:50,0,-1
@char Felix pos:,,0
In case you have sorting issues in perspective camera mode, try changing Transparency Sort Mode
found in "Edit > Projecting Settings > Graphics" editor menu to Orthographic
. Find more information on how objects are sorted in Unity in the 2D sorting manual.
# Is it possible to show only the avatar of a character inside a text printer, but hide the character itself?
Set visible:false
for the character you wish to hide; the avatar will remain visible, eg:
@char CharId visible:false
In case you're constantly changing avatars while the character itself should remain hidden, consider disabling Auto Show On Modify
in the characters configuration menu; when disabled, you won't have to specify visible:false
to change any parameters of the character while it's hidden.
Alternatively, check out render actor to texture feature.
# How to run a custom C# code from naninovel scripts?
To invoke a C# behaviour (eg, access a game object on scene), use custom commands; to get value from a C# method and use it in naninovel script, use expression functions.