Using HexCore: A Coordinate Utility System for Hex Grids in Unity

📜 Get the Script: HexCore on GitHub

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Overview

HexCore is a C# system designed to handle hex coordinate conversions in Unity. It provides functions to accurately place, reference, and manage hex positions, making it perfect for procedural terrain, navigation, and debugging.

• 📍 Convert world positions to hex coordinates and vice versa.
• 📦 Chunk-based organization for efficient grid management.
• 🛠️ SceneView debugging tools to visualize hex placement.
• 🔄 Supports flat-top & pointy-top hex orientations.

💡 How It Works

HexCore allows you to easily place, reference, and retrieve hex positions in Unity using different coordinate systems.

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1️⃣ Convert World Position → Hex Coordinates

Use WorldToAxial() to find out which hex a world-space position belongs to.

Vector3 worldPos = new Vector3(10f, 0f, 10f);
Vector2Int hexCoords = HexUtilities.WorldToAxial(worldPos, HexOrientation.FlatTop, hexSize);
Debug.Log($"World Position {worldPos} → Hex Coords {hexCoords}");
        

2️⃣ Convert Hex Coordinates → World Position

Use AxialToWorld() to convert axial coordinates back to world-space.

Vector2Int hexCoords = new Vector2Int(3, -2);
Vector3 worldPos = HexUtilities.AxialToWorld(hexCoords.x, hexCoords.y, HexOrientation.FlatTop, hexSize);
Debug.Log($"Hex {hexCoords} → World Position {worldPos}");
        

3️⃣ Get the Chunk a Hex Belongs To

HexCore organizes hexes into chunks for efficient rendering and logic grouping.

Vector2Int chunkCoords = HexUtilities.AxialToChunk(hexCoords, chunkSize);
Debug.Log($"Hex {hexCoords} is in Chunk {chunkCoords}");
        

4️⃣ Find Neighboring Hexes

Retrieve adjacent hexes using cube coordinates.

Vector3Int hexCube = HexUtilities.AxialToCube(hexCoords);
Vector3Int neighbor = HexUtilities.CubeNeighbor(hexCube, 0); // 0 = East
Vector2Int neighborAxial = HexUtilities.CubeToAxial(neighbor);
Debug.Log($"Neighboring Hex: {neighborAxial}");
        

🖼 Debugging & Visualization

If you have GridVisualizer enabled, you can visualize hex grids in Unity’s SceneView.

🔍 Enable Grid Display

Toggle visualization of the hex and chunk grids:

visualizer.showHexSpaceGrid = true;   // Show hex grid
visualizer.showChunkSpaceGrid = true; // Show chunk grid
        

🎨 Draw a Hex in SceneView

Use DrawHexagonHandles() to display hex outlines.

HexUtilities.DrawHexagonHandles(worldPos, hexSize, HexOrientation.FlatTop, Color.green);
        

🌎 Why Use HexCore?

• 📏 Precise Mapping: Ensure accurate hex placement across your world.
• 🔄 Simplified Conversions: Effortlessly switch between axial, world, and chunk coordinates.
• 📊 Built-in Debugging: Visualize hexes in SceneView for instant feedback.

🚀 Start Using HexCore

HexCore is free and open-source. Download it from GitHub and integrate it into your project today!

🔗 Get the Full Source Code: HexCore on GitHub