Components

A component encapsulates functionality that can be added to or removed from entities. For example, a component might enable an entity to play sound, render a 3D model or run a script.

You can add a component to an entity using the PlayCanvas Editor or by using the Engine API. The properties exposed by components are listed in the Inspector when you select an Entity.

Component Types

There are many different components defined in the PlayCanvas Engine:

Component	Description
Anim	Specifies the state graph and animations that can run on an entity hierarchy.
Audio Listener	Specifies the location of the listener for 3D audio playback.
Button	Creates a user interface button.
Camera	Renders the scene from the location of the entity.
Collision	Assigns a collision volume to the entity.
Element	Defines a user interface text or image element.
GSplat	Renders a 3D Gaussian Splat at the location of the entity.
Layout Child	Overrides default Layout Group properties for one element.
Layout Group	Automatically sets position and scale of child user interface elements.
Light	Attaches a dynamic light source to the Entity.
Particle System	Attaches a particle system to the Entity.
Rigid Body	Adds the entity to the scene's physical simulation.
Render	Renders a graphical primitive or a render asset.
Screen	Defines the area and rendering of a user interface.
Script	Allows the entity to run JavaScript fragments to implement custom behavior.
Scrollbar	Defines a scrolling control for a Scrollview component.
Scroll View	Defines a scrollable area in a user interface.
Sound	Plays audio assets.
Sprite	Renders 2D graphics at the location of the entity.

Deprecated Components

PlayCanvas still provides some deprecated components. Use of these components is not recommended for new projects.

Component	Description
Animation	Specifies the animations that can run on the model specified by the entity's model component.
Model	Renders a 3D model at the location of the entity.