5 Unity Inspector Hacks Every Game Developer Should Know

If you’re a Unity game developer, you probably spend a significant amount of time in the Inspector window. It’s where you tweak settings, adjust parameters, and fine-tune your game objects to make them perform as expected. However, working with the Inspector can be inefficient and tiresome if you don’t know a few tricks. In this article, we’ll go over five Unity Inspector hacks that will make your job easier and more efficient.

1. The Search Bar

The Inspector window is a vast and sometimes overwhelming place. With dozens of components and properties nested within each other, it can be tough to find exactly what you’re looking for. That’s where the search bar comes in.

The search bar in the Inspector window is a small but powerful tool that can save you a lot of time and frustration. You can use it to filter the properties in the Inspector based on the search term you enter. For example, if you have a game object with a lot of components and you’re looking for a specific one, you can type in part of the component name in the search bar, and the Inspector will filter out everything else.

To use the search bar, simply click on it and type in your search term. The Inspector will automatically filter the properties and components that match your search.

2. The Lock Icon

Have you ever been working in the Inspector and accidentally clicked on a different game object, losing your place and having to navigate back to where you were? It’s a frustrating experience, but fortunately, Unity has a solution.

The lock icon in the Inspector window is a simple but effective tool that allows you to “lock” a game object so that you can’t accidentally select another one. When you lock a game object, the Inspector will stay focused on it, even if you click on a different object in the Scene view.

To use the lock icon, simply click on it next to the game object’s name in the Inspector. The lock icon will turn blue, indicating that the object is now locked. To unlock the object, click on the lock icon again.

3. The Debug Mode

Debugging is a crucial part of game development, and Unity provides many powerful tools for this purpose. However, sometimes the Inspector can get in the way of debugging, especially when you’re trying to isolate a specific component or property.

That’s where the Debug mode comes in. Enabling Debug mode in the Inspector window will show you all the hidden and internal properties of a game object or component. This can be incredibly useful when you’re trying to track down a bug or figure out why something isn’t working as intended.

To enable Debug mode, simply click on the small gear icon in the top right corner of the Inspector window and select “Debug” from the dropdown menu. The Inspector will now show you all the hidden properties of the selected game object or component.

4. The Foldout Arrow

Unity’s Inspector window can get cluttered with a lot of properties and components nested within each other. Sometimes, it’s challenging to parse through all of them and find what you’re looking for.

The Foldout arrow in the Inspector window is a convenient way to hide or reveal nested properties and components. Simply click on the arrow next to a component or property, and it will expand or collapse to show or hide its children. This can clean up the Inspector window and make it easier to focus on the properties you’re interested in.

5. The Save Inspector Layout

The Inspector window is a central part of the Unity interface, and you might spend a lot of time customizing it to your liking. Once you have it set up just how you like it, it can be frustrating to have Unity reset everything to its default layout after closing and reopening the project.

That’s where the Save Inspector Layout hack comes in. You can save the layout of the Inspector window by clicking on the “Layout” dropdown at the top of the Inspector window and selecting “Save Layout” from the dropdown menu. This will save the current state of your Inspector window so that it stays the same the next time you reopen the project.

Editor Comment

Being efficient and fast is the key to succeed while developing a game. These five hacks would significantly improve your workflow and make your development process smoother. Try them out and see how much time you’ll save.

FAQ

What is Unity Inspector?

Unity Inspector is a window in Unity’s interface that allows you to modify the properties and components of game objects.

What is Debug mode in Unity Inspector?

Debug mode in Unity Inspector allows you to see all the hidden and internal properties of a game object or component, which is helpful for debugging.

How do I enable Debug mode in the Unity Inspector?

To enable Debug mode in the Unity Inspector window, click on the small gear icon in the top right corner of the Inspector window and select “Debug” from the dropdown menu.

What is the Lock icon in the Unity Inspector window?

The Lock icon in the Unity Inspector window allows you to “lock” a game object so that you can’t accidentally select another one.

How do I use the Save Inspector Layout hack in Unity?

To use the Save Inspector Layout hack in Unity, click on the “Layout” dropdown at the top of the Inspector window and select “Save Layout” from the dropdown menu. This will save the current state of your Inspector window so that it stays the same the next time you reopen the project.