Use a different UI layer mode

Oct 13, 2025 by pynkocean.com 139 views

UI Layer: Items in Viewport UI Layer Can't Be Clicked Directly by Mouse Event

When working with UI layers in GameMaker, it's essential to understand how they interact with the game camera and mouse events. In this article, we'll explore a specific issue where items within a viewport UI layer can't be clicked directly by mouse events when the game camera moves around. We'll delve into the steps to reproduce the issue, the versions of GameMaker involved, and the operating system where the problem occurs.

Description

When you set up a UI layer in "viewport" mode and place an object button inside it, you might encounter an issue where the button can't be clicked anymore, even though it remains in its initial position. This problem becomes more noticeable when the game camera is moved away from the starting position (0,0). To better understand this issue, let's take a look at an example project where the camera's starting position has been placed far from the default (0,0) position.

Steps To Reproduce

To reproduce this issue, follow these steps:

Open the provided project, which can be downloaded from the link below.
Play the project and click on the button.
Observe that the intended message doesn't appear, indicating that the button can't be clicked.

Project Download

You can download the project that demonstrates this issue by clicking on the following link:

963fbe4b-2d51-465d-ae6e-eb3241621167

GameMaker Versions

The issue is reported for the following versions of GameMaker:

IDE v2024.1300.0.768
Runtime v2024.1300.0.775

Operating System

The problem occurs on the following operating system:

Windows 10.0.19045.0

Understanding the Issue

When a UI layer is set up in "viewport" mode, it's essential to understand how the game camera and mouse events interact with the UI elements. In this case, the issue arises when the game camera moves away from the starting position, causing the button to become inaccessible. This problem can be attributed to the way GameMaker handles mouse events and UI layers in "viewport" mode.

Possible Solutions

To resolve this issue, you can try the following solutions:

Adjust the camera's starting position: Try moving the camera's starting position closer to the default (0,0) position to see if the issue persists.
Use a different UI layer mode: Experiment with different UI layer modes, such as "absolute" or "relative," to see if the issue is specific to "viewport" mode.
Modify the mouse event handling: Review the mouse event handling code to ensure that it's correctly handling the UI elements within the viewport UI layer.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the issue where items within a viewport UI layer can't be clicked directly by mouse events when the game camera moves around is a specific problem that can be encountered in GameMaker. By understanding the steps to reproduce the issue, the versions of GameMaker involved, and the operating system where the problem occurs, you can better diagnose and resolve this issue. Remember to try different solutions, such as adjusting the camera's starting position, using a different UI layer mode, or modifying the mouse event handling code, to resolve this issue.

Additional Tips

When working with UI layers in GameMaker, keep the following tips in mind:

Use the correct UI layer mode: Choose the UI layer mode that best suits your game's requirements.
Adjust the camera's starting position: Move the camera's starting position to a location that's convenient for your game.
Review mouse event handling code: Ensure that the mouse event handling code is correctly handling the UI elements within the viewport UI layer.

By following these tips and understanding the issue, you can create a more engaging and interactive user interface for your game.
UI Layer: Items in Viewport UI Layer Can't Be Clicked Directly by Mouse Event - Q&A

In our previous article, we explored the issue where items within a viewport UI layer can't be clicked directly by mouse events when the game camera moves around. We discussed the steps to reproduce the issue, the versions of GameMaker involved, and the operating system where the problem occurs. In this article, we'll answer some frequently asked questions related to this issue to provide further clarification and guidance.

Q: What is the cause of this issue?

A: The cause of this issue is related to how GameMaker handles mouse events and UI layers in "viewport" mode. When the game camera moves away from the starting position, the button becomes inaccessible due to the way GameMaker interacts with the UI elements.

Q: Is this issue specific to the "viewport" mode?

A: Yes, this issue is specific to the "viewport" mode. If you switch to a different UI layer mode, such as "absolute" or "relative," the issue may not occur.

Q: Can I fix this issue by adjusting the camera's starting position?

A: Yes, adjusting the camera's starting position may resolve the issue. However, this is not a recommended solution, as it may affect the overall design and gameplay of your game.

Q: What are some alternative solutions to fix this issue?

A: Some alternative solutions to fix this issue include:

Using a different UI layer mode
Modifying the mouse event handling code
Adding a check to ensure that the button is within the viewport before attempting to click it

Q: How can I prevent this issue from occurring in the future?

A: To prevent this issue from occurring in the future, make sure to:

Use the correct UI layer mode for your game's requirements
Adjust the camera's starting position to a location that's convenient for your game
Review and modify the mouse event handling code to ensure it's correctly handling the UI elements within the viewport UI layer

Q: Is this issue specific to Windows 10?

A: No, this issue is not specific to Windows 10. It can occur on other operating systems as well.

Q: Can I report this issue to GameMaker's support team?

A: Yes, you can report this issue to GameMaker's support team. They will be able to provide further assistance and guidance on how to resolve the issue.

Q: Are there any workarounds for this issue?

A: Yes, there are workarounds for this issue. Some possible workarounds include:

Using a different UI element, such as a sprite or a shape, instead of a button
Adding a check to ensure that the button is within the viewport before attempting to click it
Modifying the mouse event handling code to handle the UI elements within the viewport UI layer

Conclusion

In conclusion, the issue where items within a viewport UI layer can't be clicked directly by mouse events when the game camera moves around is a specific problem that can be encountered in GameMaker. By understanding the cause of the issue, the steps to reproduce it, and the alternative solutions to fix it, you can better diagnose and resolve this issue. Remember to follow the tips and guidelines provided in this article to prevent this issue from occurring in the future.

Additional Tips

When working with UI layers in GameMaker, keep the following tips in mind:

Use the correct UI layer mode: Choose the UI layer mode that best suits your game's requirements.
Adjust the camera's starting position: Move the camera's starting position to a location that's convenient for your game.
Review mouse event handling code: Ensure that the mouse event handling code is correctly handling the UI elements within the viewport UI layer.
Test your game thoroughly: Test your game on different operating systems and with different UI layer modes to ensure that the issue doesn't occur.