# SmoothDamp

> Gradually changes a vector towards a desired goal over time.

## Definition

* **Type:** Method
* **Namespace:** [UnityEngine](/engine/6000.7/script-reference/unityengine.md)
* **Assembly:** UnityEngine.CoreModule

## SmoothDamp(Vector3, Vector3, Vector3, float, float, float)

Gradually changes a vector towards a desired goal over time.

```csharp
public static Vector3 SmoothDamp(Vector3 current, Vector3 target, ref Vector3 currentVelocity, float smoothTime, float maxSpeed, float deltaTime)
```

### Parameters

**** (\[Vector3]\(/engine/6000.7/script-reference/unityengine/vector3)): The initial position.**** (\[Vector3]\(/engine/6000.7/script-reference/unityengine/vector3)): The position to move towards.**** (\[Vector3]\(/engine/6000.7/script-reference/unityengine/vector3)): The initial velocity. This value is modified by the function each time it runs in the `Update` function. Pass this parameter as a reference value.**** (\[float]\(https\://learn.microsoft.com/dotnet/api/system.single)): Approximately the time it will take to reach the target. A smaller value will reach the target faster.**** (\[float]\(https\://learn.microsoft.com/dotnet/api/system.single)): The maximum speed to reach in the motion. By default, there is no maximum speed.**** (\[float]\(https\://learn.microsoft.com/dotnet/api/system.single)): The time between calls to this function. The default value is `Time.deltaTime`, such that `SmoothDamp` is called once per frame.

### Returns

| Type                                                              | Description                                                              |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| [Vector3](/engine/6000.7/script-reference/unityengine/vector3.md) | The new position, moved part of the way from `current` towards `target`. |

### Remarks

The vector is smoothed by a spring-like damper function, such that the speed slows as it nears the target position. The motion doesn't overshoot the target position.

A common use of this method is smoothing the motion of a follow camera.

### Examples

```csharp
// This example creates a sphere and moves the attached GameObject to  
// just in front of the sphere. 
// Attach this example to a camera object to view the movement.
using UnityEngine;

public class SmoothDampExample : MonoBehaviour

{
    public float smoothTime = 15;
    public  Vector3 velocity = new Vector3(0,0,2);
    Vector3 targetPos;

    void Start()
    {
        // Position the camera
        transform.position = new Vector3(0,3,-10);

        // Create a sphere in front and below the camera.
        Vector3 spherePos = this.transform.position + new Vector3(0,-3,20);
        GameObject sphere = GameObject.CreatePrimitive(PrimitiveType.Sphere);
        sphere.transform.position = spherePos;

        // Set final camera target position to just in front of the sphere
        targetPos = spherePos - new Vector3(0,0,2);
    }

    void Update()
    {
        // Smoothly move the camera towards that target position. The velocity 
        // decreases as the camera moves closer to the target position
        transform.position = Vector3.SmoothDamp(transform.position, targetPos, ref velocity, smoothTime);
    }
}
```

## SmoothDamp(Vector3, Vector3, Vector3, float, float, float)

Gradually changes a vector towards a desired goal over time.

```csharp
public static Vector3 SmoothDamp(in Vector3 current, in Vector3 target, ref Vector3 currentVelocity, float smoothTime, float maxSpeed, float deltaTime)
```

### Parameters

**** (\[Vector3]\(/engine/6000.7/script-reference/unityengine/vector3)): The initial position.**** (\[Vector3]\(/engine/6000.7/script-reference/unityengine/vector3)): The position to move towards.**** (\[Vector3]\(/engine/6000.7/script-reference/unityengine/vector3)): The initial velocity. This value is modified by the function each time it runs in the `Update` function. Pass this parameter as a reference value.**** (\[float]\(https\://learn.microsoft.com/dotnet/api/system.single)): Approximately the time it will take to reach the target. A smaller value will reach the target faster.**** (\[float]\(https\://learn.microsoft.com/dotnet/api/system.single)): The maximum speed to reach in the motion. By default, there is no maximum speed.**** (\[float]\(https\://learn.microsoft.com/dotnet/api/system.single)): The time between calls to this function. The default value is `Time.deltaTime`, such that `SmoothDamp` is called once per frame.

### Returns

| Type                                                              | Description                                                              |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| [Vector3](/engine/6000.7/script-reference/unityengine/vector3.md) | The new position, moved part of the way from `current` towards `target`. |

### Remarks

The vector is smoothed by a spring-like damper function, such that the speed slows as it nears the target position. The motion doesn't overshoot the target position.

A common use of this method is smoothing the motion of a follow camera.

### Examples

```csharp
// This example creates a sphere and moves the attached GameObject to  
// just in front of the sphere. 
// Attach this example to a camera object to view the movement.
using UnityEngine;

public class SmoothDampExample : MonoBehaviour

{
    public float smoothTime = 15;
    public  Vector3 velocity = new Vector3(0,0,2);
    Vector3 targetPos;

    void Start()
    {
        // Position the camera
        transform.position = new Vector3(0,3,-10);

        // Create a sphere in front and below the camera.
        Vector3 spherePos = this.transform.position + new Vector3(0,-3,20);
        GameObject sphere = GameObject.CreatePrimitive(PrimitiveType.Sphere);
        sphere.transform.position = spherePos;

        // Set final camera target position to just in front of the sphere
        targetPos = spherePos - new Vector3(0,0,2);
    }

    void Update()
    {
        // Smoothly move the camera towards that target position. The velocity 
        // decreases as the camera moves closer to the target position
        transform.position = Vector3.SmoothDamp(transform.position, targetPos, ref velocity, smoothTime);
    }
}
```