Unity PC Build Files: A Solution for Efficient Video Management

When developing video-based applications in Unity, managing build files can be a challenging task, especially when it comes to handling different platforms and configurations. In this article, we'll explore a solution that enables efficient video management in Unity, specifically focusing on the use of `StreamingAsset` files for WebGL builds.

The Challenge: Handling Different Platforms

When building applications for both desktop (Standalone) and web-based (WebGL) platforms, developers often encounter issues with managing videos. In Unity, videos are typically stored in a `Resources` directory, which works well for Editor builds but can cause problems when compiling for Standalone or WebGL.

The Solution: Using StreamingAsset Files

To address this issue, I developed a script that excludes `StreamingAssets` from Standalone builds and includes them for WebGL builds. This approach allows developers to take advantage of the `StreamingAsset` files' flexibility while maintaining compatibility with different platforms.

How it Works

Here's how my solution works:

1. For Editor builds, I use a `Resources` directory that contains all video files.

2. When building for Standalone, I exclude the `StreamingAssets` directory from the build process.

3. For WebGL builds, I include the `StreamingAssets` directory, which contains the same videos as the `Resources` directory.

Benefits

By using this solution, developers can enjoy several benefits:

* Efficient video management: No need to modify transcoding or file extensions for different platforms.

* Platform-specific video handling: StreamingAsset files are only included in WebGL builds, ensuring optimal performance and compatibility.

* Easy maintenance: With a single script managing video inclusion/exclusion, developers can focus on other aspects of their project.

In conclusion, using `StreamingAsset` files for WebGL builds is an effective solution for efficient video management in Unity. By leveraging this approach, developers can simplify their build process, ensure platform-specific video handling, and maintain a high level of performance and compatibility across different platforms.

Unity pc build files