How to change a sprite via script at runtime when using an animator?

Question

I am making a simple 2D shooter.

I have my character's body and head as different objects, as I want him to look up/down regardless of the movement. So, I basically use the following script:

public class PlayerHead : MonoBehaviour
{
    public static PlayerHead instance;
    public SpriteRenderer theSR;
    public Sprite netural, down, up;

    private void Start()
    {
        instance = this;
        
    }
    public void Up()
    {
        theSR.sprite = up;
    }

    public void Down()
    {
        theSR.sprite = down;
    }

    public void Netural()
    {
        theSR.sprite = netural;
    }

}

However, the head is also used in the player animations:

This is because head must move with the body during the idle animation (breathing and moving up&down slowly).

I suspect that because of this animation, the sprite of the head is somehow fixed. It does not change in runtime even though I change it manually inside Unity.

How can I make the Animator let me change the sprite?

@DMGregory Yup! I needed to use the LateUpdate as the Head object is always updated during the animation. — padawan
– padawan, Commented Jul 2, 2020 at 19:33
If you've solved your problem, would you like to post your solution as an Answer below? — DMGregory
– DMGregory ♦, Commented Jul 2, 2020 at 19:34
You solved my problem :) I wouldn't want to take credit for your solution. — padawan
– padawan, Commented Jul 2, 2020 at 19:46
You'd be doing me a favour. I've never actually done this, so you have working code that you've tested - I don't. So it would take me more time to write a good answer. — DMGregory
– DMGregory ♦, Commented Jul 2, 2020 at 19:55

padawan · Accepted Answer · 2020-07-02 20:55:10Z

Thanks to DM Gregory's comment, I have understood and solved the issue.

Since I am using the Head object in animator, the sprite is updated in every frame. Therefore, even I change it in one frame, it goes back to default in the next one.

This is the right way to do it:

public class PlayerHead : MonoBehaviour
{
    public static PlayerHead instance;
    public SpriteRenderer theSR;
    public Sprite netural, down, up;
    public Sprite current;

    private void Start()
    {
        instance = this;
        
    }

    private void LateUpdate()
    {
        theSR.sprite = current;
    }

    public void Up()
    {
        current = up;
    }

    public void Down()
    {
        current = down;
    }

    public void Netural()
    {
        current = netural;
    }

}

It is importan to use LateUpdate() method because the animations are updated between Update() and LateUpdate().

Credit goes to DMGregory.

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