Matrix4x4 Struct

A standard 4x4 transformation matrix.

A transformation matrix can perform arbitrary linear 3D transformations (i.e. translation, rotation, scale, shear etc.) and perspective transformations using homogenous coordinates. You rarely use matrices in scripts; most often using Vector3s, Quaternions and functionality of Transform class is more straightforward. Plain matrices are used in special cases like setting up nonstandard camera projection.

Consult any graphics textbook for in depth explanation of transformation matrices.

In Unity, Matrix4x4 is used by several Transform, Camera, Material and GL functions.

Matrices in unity are column major. Data is accessed as: row + (column*4). Matrices can be indexed like 2D arrays but in an expression like mat[a, b], a refers to the row index, while b refers to the column index (note that this is the opposite way round to Cartesian coordinates).

this [int row, int column]
this [int index]	Access element at sequential index (0..15 inclusive).
inverse	The inverse of this matrix (Read Only).
transpose	Returns the transpose of this matrix (Read Only).
isIdentity	Is this the identity matrix?

GetColumn	Get a column of the matrix.
GetRow	Returns a row of the matrix.
SetColumn	Sets a column of the matrix.
SetRow	Sets a row of the matrix.
MultiplyPoint	Transforms a position by this matrix (generic).
MultiplyPoint3x4	Transforms a position by this matrix (fast).
MultiplyVector	Transforms a direction by this matrix.
SetTRS	Sets this matrix to a translation, rotation and scaling matrix.
ToString	Returns a nicely formatted string for this matrix.

zero	Returns a matrix with all elements set to zero (Read Only).
identity	Returns the identity matrix (Read Only).

operator *	Multiplies two matrices.
Scale	Creates a scaling matrix.
TRS	Creates a translation, rotation and scaling matrix.
Ortho	Creates an orthogonal projection matrix.
Perspective	Creates a perspective projection matrix.