From Basics to Mastery: Essential Tips for Using Unity’s Inspector

Unity’s Inspector is a powerful tool that allows developers to access and modify the properties of game objects and assets in the Unity Editor. It is a key component when it comes to creating and modifying game objects in Unity. In this article, we will discuss the essentials of using Unity’s Inspector and how developers can use it to build incredible games.

Understanding Unity’s Inspector

Unity’s Inspector is a panel that appears on the right-hand side of the Editor window whenever an asset or game object is selected. It provides a set of tools and options to modify and customize the game object or asset. Once you understand the basics, you can use the Inspector to make significant changes to your game objects’ appearance, behavior, and functionality.

The Basics of Using Unity’s Inspector

The Inspector is an essential tool for any Unity developer. To begin using it, click on a game object or asset in the Editor. The Inspector panel will appear on the right side of the window, displaying the object’s properties.

Some of the essential features of the Inspector include:

• Transform Component
• GameObject Name
• Add Component
• Inspector Toolbar

Transform Component

The Transform component determines the game object’s position, rotation, and scale. It is the fundamental component of a game object, and Unity automatically creates a transform component for every object you create.

You can edit the transform component’s properties using the Inspector, including position, rotation, and scale. To do this, select the game object in the Hierarchy window, and its transform properties will appear in the Inspector.

Game Object Name

Every game object in Unity has a name that identifies it. You can change the name of the game object by clicking on it in the Hierarchy window and then entering its new name in the Inspector.

Add Component

The Add Component button is located at the top of the Inspector window. It is used to add new components to a game object, which can alter its properties and behavior.

Inspector Toolbar

The Inspector Toolbar provides tools that allow you to navigate, select, and edit properties in the Inspector. You can use it to quickly switch between different Inspector tabs or lock the current Inspector view on particular settings.

Maximizing the Value of Unity’s Inspector

The Inspector’s panels can be used in several ways to take advantage of the full power of the tool. In this section, we will look at how to use some of the Inspector’s advanced features to streamline your development process in Unity.

Custom Inspectors

One of Unity’s main features is the ability to create custom inspectors. A custom inspector allows you to add your own UI elements and control the game object’s properties in more detail than the default Inspector.

To create a custom inspector, we need to create a new script that inherits from the UnityEditor.Editor class. For example, let’s create a custom inspector for a Unity cube.

using UnityEditor;
using UnityEngine;

[CustomEditor(typeof(GameObject))]
public class CubeInspector : Editor
{

    GUIStyle _titleStyle;
    GUIStyle TitleStyle
    {
        get
        {
            if (_titleStyle == null)
            {
                _titleStyle = new GUIStyle()
                {
                    fontSize = 20,
                    fontStyle = FontStyle.Bold,
                    alignment = TextAnchor.MiddleCenter
                };
            }
            return _titleStyle;
        }
    }

    public override void OnInspectorGUI()
    {
        base.OnInspectorGUI();
         GUILayout.Space(10f);
        GUILayout.Label("Custom Inspector", TitleStyle);
        if(GUILayout.Button("Set Position"))
        {
            ((GameObject)target).transform.position = Vector3.zero;
        }
    }
}

Inspector Extensions

Another powerful Inspector feature is the Inspector Extensions. They can be used to add elements to the Inspector that are not part of the default Unity toolset, such as sliders, graphs, and more.

To create an Inspector Extension, we need to create a new class that inherits from UnityEditor.EditorGUI. The methods available to us in this class allow us to render the Inspector for the game object.

using UnityEditor;
using UnityEngine;

[CustomEditor(typeof(GameObject))]
public class CustomGUI : Editor
{
    public override void OnInspectorGUI()
    {
        base.OnInspectorGUI();

        GUILayout.Label("Inspector Extension", EditorStyles.boldLabel);

        float value = EditorGUILayout.Slider("Value", 0f, 1f);

        Rect position = GUILayoutUtility.GetRect(50, 50);
        if (Event.current.type == EventType.Repaint)
        {
            GUIStyle style = new GUIStyle();
            style.normal.background = Texture2D.whiteTexture;
            style.Draw(position, GUIContent.none, false, false, false, false);
            EditorGUI.ProgressBar(position, value, "");
        }

        GUILayout.Space(10f);
        GUILayout.Label("Current value: " + value);
    }
}

Conclusion

Unity’s Inspector is an essential tool for game development in Unity. It is used by developers to modify the properties of game objects and assets, allowing for customization and control over objects in the game world. In this article, we reviewed the basics of using the Inspector, how to maximize the value of the Inspector, and how to create custom Inspectors and Inspector Extensions.

As a developer, understanding the power of the Inspector will help you to build better-designed and more complex games.

Editor Comment:

The Unity Inspector is an essential tool for building games in Unity. Learn how to use it well, and you’ll be one step closer to creating an impressive game.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is Unity’s Inspector?
A: Unity’s Inspector is a panel that provides a set of tools and options to modify and customize the game object or asset.

Q2. What is the Transform component?
A: The Transform component is a fundamental component of every game object in Unity; it determines positioning, rotation, and scale.

Q3. What is the Inspector Toolbar?
A: The Inspector Toolbar provides tools that allow you to navigate, select, and edit properties in the Inspector.

Q4. How can I create a custom Inspector?
A: To create a custom Inspector in Unity, create a new script that inherits from the UnityEditor.Editor class.

Q5. What are Inspector Extensions?
A: Inspector Extensions can be used to add elements to the Inspector that are not part of the default Unity toolset, such as sliders, graphs, and more.