Capture Photo from Camera

Goal

Use the device camera to capture a photo and display it in your game UI.

Actions Required

Action	Purpose
MediaServicesGetCameraAccessStatus	Read current camera permission status
MediaServicesCaptureContent	Capture a photo (fires success/failure events)
MediaServicesGetContentTexture	Convert captured content (index 0) to Texture2D
MediaServicesGetCaptureContentError	Read cached error after failure (optional)

Variables Needed

• cameraStatus (Enum: CameraAccessStatus)

• capturedTexture (Texture2D)

• errorCode (Int) (optional)

• errorDescription (String) (optional)

Implementation Steps

1. State: CheckCameraPermission

Action: MediaServicesGetCameraAccessStatus

• Outputs:

  • status → cameraStatus

• Next: Use an Enum Switch/Compare on cameraStatus:

  • Authorized / NotDetermined → CapturePhoto

  • Denied / Restricted → ShowPermissionError

2. State: CapturePhoto

Action: MediaServicesCaptureContent

• Inputs:

  • captureType: Image

  • customTitle: "Take Photo" (optional)

• Events:

  • successEvent → ConvertToTexture

  • failureEvent → GetCaptureError

Note: This opens the native camera UI and waits for the callback.

3. State: ConvertToTexture

Action: MediaServicesGetContentTexture

• Inputs:

  • contentIndex: 0 (first/only captured image)

• Outputs:

  • texture → capturedTexture

• Next: This action finishes when conversion completes. Use the state’s FINISHED transition → DisplayPhoto.

4. State: DisplayPhoto

Assign capturedTexture to UI Image component:

uiImage.texture = capturedTexture

5. (Optional) GetCaptureError

On failureEvent, call MediaServicesGetCaptureContentError to read errorCode + errorDescription.

Capture Flow

CheckCameraPermission
    ├─ status = Authorized/NotDetermined → CapturePhoto
    └─ status = Denied/Restricted → ShowPermissionError

CapturePhoto
    └─ Success → ConvertToTexture
        └─ DisplayPhoto

Common Issues

• Permission Denied: Guide user to Settings to enable camera access

• Camera Unavailable: Check if device has a camera (some tablets don't)

• Texture is Null: Ensure ConvertToTexture completes before accessing texture

• Memory Issues: Large photos can use significant memory; consider resizing

Platform Differences

iOS:

• Requires "Privacy - Camera Usage Description" in Info.plist

• Permission prompt shown automatically on first use

Android:

• Requires CAMERA permission in AndroidManifest.xml

• Permission request may show before camera opens

Performance Tips

• Texture Size: Captured photos can be large (4K+); resize if only displaying thumbnails

• Memory Management: Dispose of textures when no longer needed

• Preview vs Final: Consider showing preview before converting to final texture