HitResult

HitResult is a data structure commonly used in game development and physics simulations to store information about a collision or intersection test. When a raycast, spherecast, or other form of geometric query is performed, the HitResult object is typically populated with details about what was hit, if anything.

The primary purpose of a HitResult is to provide a clear and organized way to communicate the outcome of a hit detection operation. Essential information commonly found within a HitResult includes a boolean flag indicating whether a hit occurred, the point in 3D space where the intersection took place, and a reference to the object that was struck. Depending on the complexity of the system, it may also contain additional data such as the normal vector of the surface at the point of impact, the distance from the origin of the query to the hit point, and information about the specific collider or mesh component that was intersected.

In many game engines, HitResult is a fundamental component for implementing gameplay mechanics. For instance, in a first-person shooter, a raycast from the player's camera to determine where they are aiming might return a HitResult. If a hit occurred, the game logic can then use the hit point and the hit object to determine if a target was struck, apply damage, or trigger other events. Similarly, in physics simulations, HitResult can be used to detect when objects are colliding or when a player character interacts with the environment. The availability and specific fields of a HitResult object can vary between different game engines and physics libraries, but its core function of reporting collision details remains consistent.