---
name: screenshot-camera
description: Capture a screenshot from a Unity `Camera` and return it as a PNG image for direct LLM inspection. Falls back to `Camera.main` (then any active camera) when `cameraRef` is null. Width and height are capped to keep response size manageable.
---

# Screenshot / Camera

Captures a screenshot from a camera and returns it as an image. If no camera is specified, uses the Main Camera. Returns the image directly for visual inspection by the LLM.

## Inputs

- `cameraRef` (optional) — reference to a GameObject hosting a `Camera`. When null, `Camera.main` is used; if there is no main camera, the first entry of `Camera.allCameras` is used.
- `width` (default 1920) / `height` (default 1080) — output pixels. Must be > 0 and ≤ `MaxDimension`.

## Behavior

Allocates a temporary `RenderTexture`, swaps it onto the chosen camera, calls `Camera.Render`, reads back via `Texture2D.ReadPixels`, encodes as PNG, and restores the camera's prior `targetTexture`. Returns a `ResponseCallTool.Image` with `image/png` MIME and a descriptive caption.

## How to Call

```bash
unity-mcp-cli run-tool screenshot-camera --input '{
  "cameraRef": "string_value",
  "width": 0,
  "height": 0
}'
```

> For complex input (multi-line strings, code), save the JSON to a file and use:
> ```bash
> unity-mcp-cli run-tool screenshot-camera --input-file args.json
> ```
>
> Or pipe via stdin (recommended):
> ```bash
> unity-mcp-cli run-tool screenshot-camera --input-file - <<'EOF'
> {"param": "value"}
> EOF
> ```


### Troubleshooting

If `unity-mcp-cli` is not found, either install it globally (`npm install -g unity-mcp-cli`) or use `npx unity-mcp-cli` instead.
Read the /unity-initial-setup skill for detailed installation instructions.

## Input

| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|------|------|----------|-------------|
| `cameraRef` | `any` | No | Reference to the camera GameObject. If not specified, uses the Main Camera. |
| `width` | `integer` | No | Width of the screenshot in pixels. |
| `height` | `integer` | No | Height of the screenshot in pixels. |

### Input JSON Schema

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "cameraRef": {
      "$ref": "#/$defs/AIGD.GameObjectRef"
    },
    "width": {
      "type": "integer"
    },
    "height": {
      "type": "integer"
    }
  },
  "$defs": {
    "System.Type": {
      "type": "string"
    },
    "AIGD.GameObjectRef": {
      "type": "object",
      "properties": {
        "instanceID": {
          "type": "integer",
          "description": "instanceID of the UnityEngine.Object. If it is '0' and 'path', 'name', 'assetPath' and 'assetGuid' is not provided, empty or null, then it will be used as 'null'. Priority: 1 (Recommended)"
        },
        "path": {
          "type": "string",
          "description": "Path of a GameObject in the hierarchy Sample 'character/hand/finger/particle'. Priority: 2."
        },
        "name": {
          "type": "string",
          "description": "Name of a GameObject in hierarchy. Priority: 3."
        },
        "assetType": {
          "$ref": "#/$defs/System.Type",
          "description": "Type of the asset."
        },
        "assetPath": {
          "type": "string",
          "description": "Path to the asset within the project. Starts with 'Assets/'"
        },
        "assetGuid": {
          "type": "string",
          "description": "Unique identifier for the asset."
        }
      },
      "required": [
        "instanceID"
      ],
      "description": "Find GameObject in opened Prefab or in the active Scene."
    }
  }
}
```

## Output

This tool does not return structured output.