Getting Started with Unity3D here is the 1 stop of shop of great resources

One of the most popular question I am getting at present is how to get started or improve my knowledge of Unity the easy answer is simply keep building and playing?

However here some quick guides and links to get you started no matter what level of experience you have.

This list has been a collation of resources from the community and tips and tricks so thanks to Simon Jackson and the Windows Games Ambassadors who have been helping me with www.unityportinguk.com and collating and sharing these great resources with the attendees.

Beginner tutorials

• Best starting place for newbies – Unity3D’s own live training catalogue – https://unity3d.com/learn/live-training/archive
• Unity basics video series by Infinite Ammo – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEAEA1E6B11B4DAE
• UnityCG’s Unity3D crash course video series – https://cgcookie.com/unity/cgc-courses/crash-course-learn-unity/
• Another guide similar to this one – https://www.alabsoft.com/unity3d.shtml
• Now you’re thinking with components – https://gamedev.tutsplus.com/articles/glossary/unity-thinking-with-components
• Twexa have a new slow into for brand new Unity3D devs – https://twexa.com/

Intermediate tutorials

• Unity Gem’s breakdown series – https://unitygems.com/
• Make a 2D platformer in Unity3D (pre 4.3) – https://www.rocket5studios.com/tutorials/make-a-2d-game-in-unity3d-using-only-free-tools-part-1/

Project based training – learn by doing

• Unities own Project tutorials from beginner to advanced – https://unity3d.com/learn/tutorials/projects
• Walker boys studio projects – https://walkerboystudio.com/html/unity_training___free__.html
• Unity3D platformer starter kit (must read) – https://digitalerr0r.wordpress.com/2013/09/30/unity-game-starter-kit-for-windows-store-and-windows-phone-store-games/
• Catlike coding’s side scrolling runner tutorial – https://catlikecoding.com/unity/tutorials/runner/

Video based tutorials

• Introduction to building games with Unity – https://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Windows-Camp/Building-Windows-Games-with-Unity/Introduction-to-building-games-with-Unity
• Quill18’s game based video tutorials – https://quill18.com/unity_tutorials/
• CGVillage Unity3D tutorial videos – https://www.cg-village.com/unity-3d-game-engine-tutorials
• Making Mecanim compatible rigs in blender – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iUm2llVPc&feature=youtu.be
• Mouse and touch behaviours plus more video tutorials – https://www.devination.com/
• How to Build games video series (recommended)  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIR4PYHfjys
• Unity 2D (in 3D, pre 4.3) game tutorial (beginner) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZucUpZtg2U

Unity3D component tutorials

• Unity3d’s own component tutorial videos – https://unity3d.com/learn/tutorials/modules
• Jesse Etzlers awesome Unity 101 series (1-100) – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxLNqnnCshwlE0UebbpV_v8M4kcLhXEz9
• Jesse Etzlers awesome Unity 101 series (100-beyond) – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxLNqnnCshwm9ayxqMpeWH4P1SLzrN92-
• Infinite Skills advanced series – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtNErhYMkHnEqGtygzs_1qW_VNR1i9oIp
• Burgzergar arcades Hack and Slash series – https://www.burgzergarcade.com/hack-slash-rpg-unity3d-game-engine-tutorial
• Unity 101 series by Cracked Spoon – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_N_IEJ7SLOr3k_cd2Zcx07NOTjd-OnCP
• Unity3D coroutines in detail – https://www.altdevblogaday.com/2011/07/07/unity3d-coroutines-in-detail/

Unity3D master sites – Unity training is just their thing

• Unity3D’s Unite conference recordings, a goldmine of beginner / intermediate / advanced stuff – https://unity3d.com/unite
• CGCookies Unity section – https://cgcookie.com/unity/
• Armed Unity forum, full of examples tutorials and q&A – https://armedunity.com/
• Unity3D student, full of help and challenges – https://www.unity3dstudent.com/
• Unity tutorials on the Tuts+ network – https://hub.tutsplus.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&search%5Bkeywords%5D=unity&button=

Unity3D paid for training

• Unity Magic, training and assets for Unity3D – https://www.unitymagic.com/shop/en/
• Udemy’s Unity3D master class – https://www.udemy.com/unity-3d-master-class-game-development-for-beginners
• GameDev Academys Unity training offer – https://www.gamedevacademy.org/unity-training-anyone-can-learn-how-to-make-a-game/
• Design 3’s profession training services and videos – https://www.design3.com/

Scripting links and help

• Cat like codings scripting series – https://catlikecoding.com/unity/tutorials/
• Creating graphics in Unity3D – https://catlikecoding.com/unity/tutorials/graphs/
• How to make collidable curves – https://playmedusa.com/blog/how-to-create-collidable-curves-trail-lines-whatever-in-unity3d/
• Curve Rotating script for Unity3D by Nick Gravelyn – https://pastebin.com/izFTvt4Z
• Move using a curve script by Nick Gravelyn – https://pastebin.com/TFEL9MLg
• Scale by curve script by Nick Gravelyn – https://pastebin.com/Bh6GVfEw
• Tiny tween lib for Unity3D and XNA by Nick Gravelyn – https://gist.github.com/nickgravelyn/4953988
• Unity scripts to charge a weapon – https://www.otakunozoku.com/unity-scripts-to-charge-up-a-weapon/
• Piracy prevention script for Unity3D – https://www.otakunozoku.com/unity3d-piracy-prevention/
• Changing script order execution dynamically – https://gamedevrant.blogspot.com.es/2013/07/unity3d-change-scripts-execution-order.html?m=1

Shader help and tutorials

• Prime31’s advanced shader series – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb8LPjN5zpx1tauZfNE1cMIIPy15UlJNZ
• Retro flat shading by Kenneth Backus – https://dev.tutsplus.com/tutorials/go-beyond-retro-pixel-art-with-flat-shaded-3d-in-unity–gamedev-12259
• Selection of Shader tutorials by Kashif Riley – https://www.youtube.com/user/JamesRayder2020/videos
• Clifford M Roche walks through Unity debugging in MonoDevelop – https://www.cliffordroche.ca/monodevelop-4-xamarin-studio-debugging-in-unity/
• Shader help and free dissolve shader for Unity – https://kylehalladay.com/all/graphics/2013/09/22/Dissolve-Shaders.html

Performance and architecture

• Richard Fine on best practice – https://video.unity3d.com/video/4929984/luug-11-pt-2-of-4-
• C# Memory management by Wendelin Reich – https://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/WendelinReich/20131109/203841/C_Memory_Management_for_Unity_Developers_part_1_of_3.php
• 4 ways to improve performance by Yorick – https://www.paladinstudios.com/2012/07/30/4-ways-to-increase-performance-of-your-unity-game/
• IOC containers in Unity3D – https://blog.sebaslab.com/ioc-container-for-unity3d-part-1/
• Top 5 tips for Unity3D development (must read) – https://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/JohnWarner/20130910/194559/The_top_5_things_Ive_learned_as_a_Unity_developer.php
• A* the efficient way – https://unitygems.com/astar-1-journeys-start-single-step/
• Create a responsive UI with Unity3D – https://blog.sergeymohov.com/fully-responsive-user-interface-with-unity-gui/
• UNITY3D: IOS PERFORMANCE TIPS by @MVINetwork – https://www.kwalee.com/2012/11/23/unity-3d-ios-performance-tips/

Platform specific

• Getting started on Windows Phone with Unity – https://bit.ly/18vM2rx
• Deep dive: Tips & tricks for porting games from other platforms to Windows 8 – https://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Windows-Camp/Building-Windows-Games-with-Unity/Deep-dive-Tips-tricks-for-porting-games-from-other-platforms-to-Windows-8
• End-to-End: Develop, debug and deploy a Unity game for the Windows Store – https://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Windows-Camp/Building-Windows-Games-with-Unity/End-to-End-Develop-debug-and-deploy-a-Unity-game-for-the-Windows-Store
• Unity3D Custom Fog Shader on Windows Phone 8 – https://www.software7.com/blog/unity-custom-fog-shader-on-windows-phone-8/
• Profiler tips for WIndows 8 – https://www.markermetro.com/2013/07/technical/using-the-unity-profiler-for-performance-profiling-windows-store-apps-in-unity-4-2/
• Porting Tips and HowTo (plus code) for WP8 / Win8 – https://unity3d.com/pages/windows/porting

Animation and Mecanim

• CGCookie breakout course on Mecanim – https://cgcookie.com/unity/cgc-courses/crash-course-breakout-mecanim/

Generic Tips and Tricks

• 50 Tips for working with Unity on DevMag – https://devmag.org.za/2012/07/12/50-tips-for-working-with-unity-best-practices/
• Common pitfalls with Unity on UnityGems – https://unitygems.com/mistakes1/
• Integrating Unity with WordPress – https://www.ana-todor.ro/integrating-unity-player-in-your-wordpress-blog/03/10/2012/
• How to dig holes in terrain  – https://www.blog.radiator.debacle.us/2012/08/how-to-dig-holes-in-unity3d-terrains.html
• Adding AdMob to Unity – https://fastegggames.com/blog/2013/3/30/tutorial-admob
• AdRotator support for Unity3D – https://getadrotator.com/new-beta-for-adrotator-v1-integration-for-unity3d/
• how to create awesome terrains  – https://www.bitsalive.com/how-to-create-awesome-terrains-in-unity/
• Unity3D & SQLite – https://wiseman-safiq.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/unity-3d-sqlite-database-connection.html
• Creating destructables on GameDevTuts – https://gamedev.tutsplus.com/tutorials/implementation/how-to-make-an-object-shatter-into-smaller-fragments-in-unity/
• Using Free MoCap data in Unity3D – https://alastaira.wordpress.com/2013/07/24/using-free-mocap-data-for-game-character-animation-in-unity/
• Integration tips and tricks – https://sdkgame.com/blog/2013/9/9/our-favourite-unity-plugins
• Unity reference search engine – https://www.google.com/cse/home?cx=001712401338047450041:csfhqk-trfa
• Yet another Terrain tutorial – https://blogs.msdn.com/b/designmichel/archive/2012/09/24/the-3d-and-windows-8-unity-3d-4.aspx
• Using Unity with GIT source control – https://grapefruitgames.com/2013/04/22/unitygitpt1/
• Custom skydomes with Unity3D – https://rockandroald.net/wordpress/custom-skyboxes-and-cloud-domes-in-unity/
• Fake baking shadows for Unity3D – https://laboratoriesx86.wordpress.com/2013/04/17/fake-baked-shadow/
• Asset creation using MoDo, Substance and Unity3D – https://www.itsartmag.com/features/asset-creation-pipeline-using-modo-substance-and-unity/#.UoUNQ_lT5kG
• Integrating Google Analytics with Unity3D – https://g3zarstudios.com/blog/google-analytics-in-unity/
• HowTo: Showing gizmos, colliders and raycasts in play mode – https://imgur.com/ThYDmH8
• Another Tips and tricks site with animated gifs – https://tequibo.com/unity3d-tips/
• Massive collection of tips – regularly updated – https://unitytips.tumblr.com/

Multiplayer tutorials

• Online multiplayer by Paladin – https://www.paladinstudios.com/2013/07/10/how-to-create-an-online-multiplayer-game-with-unity/
• Rocket5 studio’s 2 player 2D platformer tutorial – https://www.rocket5studios.com/tutorials/skillswap-making-a-2-player-2d-game-with-unity/
• AppWarp and App42 integration – https://blogs.shephertz.com/2013/08/23/bridging-the-gap-plugin-for-unity-and-ios/

Unity Extensions

• Terrain Toolkit
• External Lightmapping Tool
• Locomotion System
• Explosion Framework
• Head Look Controller
• https://unity3d.com/support/resources/unity-extensions/
• overview of some extensions – Unity youtube and vimeo channels  https://www.youtube.com/user/Unity3D
• AngryAnt   One of Unity's developers provides projects to extend Unity's functionality (e.g. pathfinding and AI)
  https://angryant.com/
• Antares Project - Extensive Set of Tools to extend the Unity Editor - Open Source Also available: Antares.dll (free for non-commercial work)
  forum thread - https://forum.unity3d.com/viewtopic.php?t=50843
• Unity Asset Store: https://www.assetstore.unity3d.com/#/search/antares
• Starscene Software - Tools, Games and Utilities for Unity (purchase required for utilities)  https://www.starscenesoftware.com
  e.g. Vectrosity - Line Drawing Tool https://starscenesoftware.com/vectrosity.html
• Fractscape - Terrain Tool Stitchscape - Stitch multiple terrains together
• DF GUI - GUI builder (purchase required) https://www.daikonforge.com/dfgui/
• NGUI - GUI builder/editor (purchase required) https://www.tasharen.com/?page_id=140Asset Store: https://www.assetstore.unity3d.com/#/content/2413
• EZ Game Saver, EZGUI, SpriteManager2 - saving tool (purchase required) https://www.anbsoft.com/middleware/
• Overview of extensions on UnifyWiki  https://www.unifycommunity.com/wiki/index.php?title=Extensions
• LightUp (purchase required) Extension of Google Sketchup (Lighting Solution) which works nicely for exporting lightmaps to Unity
  https://www.light-up.co.uk/
• Plugin for Kinect's Primesense Camera (unknown whether this works with Unity 4) forum thread - https://forum.unity3d.com/threads/67982-Kinect-plugin
• Strobotnik's Google Universal Analytics Plugin for easy data tracking within Google Analytics https://www.assetstore.unity3d.com/#/content/11098

Tools for Visual Programming:

• Antares Universe - Vizio (forum thread) cost $75 Visual programming tool similar to the approaches of Quest3D and Virtools.Asset Store: https://www.assetstore.unity3d.com/#/content/495
• Playmaker by Hutong Games cost $95 (on sale regularly) Visual State Machine Editor (website and forum thread)Asset Store: https://www.assetstore.unity3d.com/#/content/368

Music and Audio

• Managing music and audio with Unity3D – https://www.bitsalive.com/audio-manager/

Unity addons and engines

• Futile 2D framework for Unity3D (pre 4.3 or for 3D scenes) – https://struct.ca/futile/
• Cubiquity voxel (aka Minecraft) engine For Unity3D- https://www.volumesoffun.com/blog/
• FFWD porting tool, create XNA games from Unity3D projects – https://github.com/fehaar/FFWD
• UnityVS getting started – https://edrivengui.com/getting-started-with-unityvs/
• Combining Pure Data with Unity3D – https://kylehalladay.com/all/blog/2013/11/10/Libpd-and-Unity.html
• Multi-Platform tool kit with Unity3D – https://blogs.unity3d.com/2013/07/18/tutorial-multiplatform-toolkit-by-owlchemy-labs/

Help and forums

• Unity3D’s main forum, the main go to for Q&A – https://forum.unity3d.com/forum.php
• Unity3D students get help and get started resources – https://www.unity3dstudent.com/get-help/
• Unity3D Tips – twitter save feed for #Unity3DTips hashtags – https://mvinetwork.co.uk/unity3dtips/
• Unity Answers – Stack Overflow type forum – https://answers.unity3d.com/index.html
• Unity developers forums – https://unity.freeforums.org/index.php
• Unity official Wiki (Must see) - https://wiki.unity3d.com/index.php/Main_Page

Resources

• Forrest map pack free – https://www.mediafire.com/download/s0c3i77e1471aa9/Forest+Map.zip
• Tons of free art – https://www.graphic-buffet.com/freebies/
• Book on creating assets for Unity – https://www.monroyasesores.com.mx/manager/uploads/pdf/0240815637Creating3D.pdf

Other things to check

• Minecraft in Unity3D, one week programming challenge – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdwUkYrHosk
• Unity3D creative Magazine free issues – https://unity.freeforums.org/old-unity-creative-magazine-issues-for-free-t11.html
• Satellite Reign – Animation Pipeline walkthrough – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRqrGl308JY