Sliders and Handles

Updated: May 7, 2026

Overview

This sample demonstrates five core interaction patterns for constrained grab and poke interactions using the Interaction SDK (ISDK): free-sliding sliders, multi-position snap controls, rotation levers, two-handed grabs, and poke-activated buttons.

View the sample source code on GitHub⁠.

What you will learn

Use OneGrabTranslateTransformer and OneGrabRotateTransformer to constrain grab interactions to specific axes

Implement snap-to-position sliders by combining ISDK physics with custom snapping logic

Bridge ISDK interaction events to Unity Events using PointableUnityEventWrapper and InteractableUnityEventWrapper

Configure TwoGrabFreeTransformer for two-handed interactions

Set up poke interactions with PokeInteractable and surface definitions

Requirements

Device: Meta Quest headset with hand tracking enabled

Development environment: Unity with Meta XR SDK and Interaction SDK installed

For complete setup instructions, see the Meta Quest Developer Setup guide.

Get started

The sample is available in the Unity-InteractionSDK-Samples repository. After opening the project in Unity, open the scene at Assets/ShowcaseSamples/SlidersandHandles/Scenes/SlidersandHandles.unity. See the repository README for detailed build and deployment instructions.

Explore the sample

File / Scene	What it demonstrates	Key concepts
SlidersandHandles.unity	All five interaction patterns in a single scene	Scene layout, ISDK interaction rig integration
prefabs/Slider No Snapping.prefab	Free-sliding grab constrained to X-axis	OneGrabTranslateTransformer, min/max constraints
prefabs/Slider Multiple Snap.prefab	Five-position snap slider with gear indicator	Snap-to-position pattern, custom script integration
prefabs/Slider Toggle Snap.prefab	Binary on/off snap toggle	Two-position snapping, label visibility toggling
prefabs/Slider Large Sphere.prefab	Free-sliding grab with large handle	Handle form factor variation
prefabs/Slider Tiny Sphere.prefab	Free-sliding grab with tiny handle	Handle form factor variation
prefabs/Horizontal.prefab	Rotation lever constrained to horizontal axis	OneGrabRotateTransformer, rotation limits
prefabs/Vertical.prefab	Rotation lever constrained to vertical axis	OneGrabRotateTransformer, rotation limits
prefabs/LargeLeverTwoHands.prefab	Two-handed grab with constrained translation	TwoGrabFreeTransformer, single-grab disabled
prefabs/ButtonToggle.prefab	Poke-activated push button with animation	PokeInteractable, Animator integration
prefabs/Toggle Button.prefab	Poke-activated push button	PokeInteractable, CircleSurface, PlaneSurface
SCRIPTS/StepsMove.cs	Five-position snap logic with gear indicator	Snap-on-release, threshold-based position detection
SCRIPTS/ToggleMove.cs	Binary snap toggle logic	Two-position snapping, visual state management
SCRIPTS/BasicToggle.cs	Animator-driven toggle state	ISDK event to Animator parameter bridge

Runtime behavior

When you run this scene, you see five groups of interactive objects arranged at chest height. On the left, three sliders demonstrate free-sliding and snap-to-position behaviors. The multi-snap slider displays gear numbers 0-4 as you move it, then snaps to the nearest position when released. The center-left group shows horizontal and vertical rotation levers that rotate within a limited range. The center displays large and tiny sphere-handled sliders to demonstrate different grip sizes. The center-right features a large lever that requires two hands to grab. The right side presents two poke-activated buttons that depress when you press them with your finger.

Key concepts

Transformer-based interaction differentiation

Notice how the sample uses different transformer components to create distinct interaction types from the same core ISDK stack. All grab-based prefabs share Grabbable, HandGrabInteractable, HandGrabPose, and PhysicsGrabbable components. The transformer determines behavior: OneGrabTranslateTransformer creates sliders, OneGrabRotateTransformer creates rotation levers, and TwoGrabFreeTransformer creates two-handed interactions. For detailed configuration, see the transformer components in Slider No Snapping.prefab, Horizontal.prefab, and LargeLeverTwoHands.prefab.

Reference: Grabbable API, Transformers API

Event bridge pattern

The sample demonstrates how to connect ISDK interaction events to custom scripts using PointableUnityEventWrapper and InteractableUnityEventWrapper. In StepsMove.cs, the wrapper’s Select/Unselect events call the public SetMoving(bool) method, which sets a flag that drives the Update loop:

private void Update()
{
    if (_isMoving) CheckStatus();
    else SnapToPlace();
}

While grabbed, CheckStatus() provides real-time feedback. On release, SnapToPlace() moves the handle to the nearest discrete position. This pattern separates ISDK interaction handling from custom domain logic. See SCRIPTS/StepsMove.cs and Slider Multiple Snap.prefab for the complete wiring.

Reference: Unity Event Wrappers API

Snap-to-position implementation

The sample shows how ISDK handles smooth grab physics while custom scripts add discrete snapping. In StepsMove.cs, CheckStatus() continuously monitors the handle’s X position and determines the current gear (0-4) based on position thresholds. On release, SnapToPlace() sets the handle’s localPosition.x to the exact gear center position. This architecture keeps ISDK responsible for grab interaction while custom logic handles position quantization. See the complete implementation in SCRIPTS/StepsMove.cs.

Reference: Transform Constraints

Poke interaction configuration

Poke-activated buttons use a different component stack from grab interactions. PokeInteractable requires a surface definition (PlaneSurface or CircleSurface) to detect finger contact. The sample combines PokeInteractable, PokeInteractableVisual for button depression feedback, and PointableUnityEventWrapper to trigger BasicToggle.Toggle() on release. See ButtonToggle.prefab for the complete poke interaction setup, including the Animator integration.

Reference: PokeInteractable API

Extend the sample

Add detent feedback: Extend StepsMove.cs with haptic feedback when the slider crosses each gear threshold, reinforcing each snap point with a tactile pulse.

Create a radial dial: Combine OneGrabRotateTransformer with a custom script that maps rotation angle to discrete values, creating a circular selector for menu options.

Implement dual-slider controls: Combine two Slider No Snapping prefabs to create a two-dimensional control surface, such as a mixing board fader or audio equalizer.

Unity-InteractionSDK-Samples repository⁠

Interaction SDK Overview

Grabbable API Reference

Transformers API Reference

PokeInteractable API Reference

Interaction SDK Samples - Ray Interactors (related sample building on grab concepts)