Mastering Unity Editor Scripting: A Comprehensive Guide to Custom Tools & Inspectors for Enhanced Workflow

In the bustling world of game development, efficiency and a streamlined workflow are paramount. While Unity provides a robust and versatile editor out of the box, every project eventually encounters unique needs that could significantly benefit from tailored editor extensions. This is where Unity Editor Scripting shines, transforming the generic editor into a powerhouse of bespoke tools, custom inspectors, and automated processes perfectly suited to your specific game's requirements. Editor scripting in Unity empowers developers to extend the engine's functionality, creating intuitive interfaces that simplify complex tasks, automate repetitive actions, enforce project standards, and ultimately, drastically accelerate development cycles. Imagine replacing a tedious, multi-step process with a single button click, or giving your designers a visually rich, intuitive inspector that hides unnecessary complexity and exposes only the most relevant parameters for a custom component. This capability is not just a luxury; it's a necessity for professional teams striving for optimal productivity and maintainability.

Developers who master the art of Unity Editor Scripting can craft bespoke solutions that address their project's unique challenges, ranging from custom scene management windows and asset processors to intelligent data validation tools and highly specialized MonoBehaviour inspectors. Conversely, neglecting the potential of custom editor tools and inspectors often leads to inefficient workflows, increased manual errors, and a slower, more frustrating development experience for the entire team. This comprehensive, human-written guide will meticulously walk you through every essential aspect of Unity Editor Scripting, from understanding the foundational concepts and core classes to implementing advanced custom solutions. You will gain invaluable insights into how to create powerful custom inspectors for , learn the intricacies of various editor GUI controls and layout techniques, and discover best practices for building custom editor windows, property drawers, and asset post-processors. By the end of this deep dive, you will possess the knowledge and practical skills to confidently extend the Unity editor, creating robust, intuitive, and highly efficient tools that revolutionize your workflow, empower your team, and accelerate your game development.

Mastering Unity Editor Scripting for custom tools and inspectors is an absolutely crucial skill for any game developer aiming to achieve enhanced workflow automation and deliver a polished, efficient development process. This comprehensive, human-written guide is meticulously crafted to walk you through implementing bespoke editor extensions, covering every essential aspect from foundational Unity Editor scripting principles to advanced custom UI and crucial architectural considerations. We’ll begin by detailing what Editor Scripting is and why it's vital for streamlining development and improving team productivity, explaining its fundamental role in creating a more efficient and tailored Unity environment. A substantial portion will then focus on understanding the , demonstrating how to override default inspectors for to expose specific fields and functionality. We'll explore harnessing the power of , detailing when and how to use various controls like buttons, sliders, and text fields to create intuitive user interfaces. Furthermore, this resource will provide practical insights into implementing custom Editor Windows for powerful project-wide tools, showcasing how to leverage . You'll gain crucial knowledge on using , understanding how to create bespoke UI for custom classes and structs without writing a full inspector. This guide will also cover managing asset post-processors to automate import settings and enforce project standards, discussing strategies for automatically configuring imported assets like textures and models. We'll delve into best practices for creating maintainable and performant editor scripts, including structuring your editor code and handling potential pitfalls. Finally, we'll offer troubleshooting common Editor Scripting issues such as compilation errors or unexpected UI behavior, ensuring your custom tools are not just functional but also robust and efficiently integrated across various Unity projects. By the culmination of this in-depth step-by-step guide, you will possess a holistic understanding and practical skills to confidently build and customize professional-grade responsive Unity Editor extensions, delivering an outstanding and adaptable development experience.

What is Editor Scripting and Why is it Vital for Streamlining Development?

At its heart, Unity Editor Scripting is the practice of writing C# code that extends and customizes the Unity editor itself, rather than directly impacting your game's runtime behavior. It allows you to build bespoke tools, enhance existing functionalities, and create entirely new interfaces within the editor environment. Think of it as developing "meta-tools" that help you develop your actual game more efficiently.

Why is Editor Scripting Absolutely Critical for Game Development?

Workflow Automation: Many tasks in game development are repetitive (e.g., setting up materials, configuring colliders, placing objects in a specific pattern). Editor scripts can automate these tasks, reducing manual effort and potential for human error.

Example: A script that automatically renames imported assets based on a project standard.

Enhanced Productivity: By streamlining common actions and providing specialized interfaces, editor scripts empower developers and designers to work faster and more effectively.

Example: A custom editor window for generating levels from a spreadsheet, rather than manually placing hundreds of game objects.

Improved Designer Experience: Designers often work with complex MonoBehaviours that have many parameters. A custom inspector can hide irrelevant technical details, expose only the most critical fields, and present them in a visually intuitive way (e.g., using sliders, color pickers, or custom buttons).

Example: A "Character Stats" component where an artist only sees Health, Mana, and Attack Speed, while the developer sees all the underlying calculations.

Enforcing Project Standards and Conventions: Editor scripts can validate assets, check naming conventions, and ensure that certain project rules are followed, preventing inconsistencies before they become major issues.

Example: An asset post-processor that ensures all imported textures have specific compression settings.

Data Visualization and Debugging: Custom editor windows can be used to visualize game data in a more meaningful way, help debug complex systems, or perform diagnostics.

Example: A visual editor for AI behavior trees or dialogue flows.

Reduced Errors: Automation and clear interfaces minimize the chance of human error that can arise from manually configuring properties or performing repetitive actions.

Editor Scripts vs. Runtime Scripts: The Key Distinction

The most important thing to understand is that editor scripts run ONLY in the Unity editor (when you're building your game). They do NOT get included in your final game build. This means:

You can use advanced C# features or external libraries in editor scripts without worrying about them bloating your game's runtime performance or build size.

You cannot directly access GameObjects or MonoBehaviours that only exist in runtime (e.g., objects created dynamically during a play session). You interact with assets and scene objects that exist in the editor.

Editor scripts need to be placed in a special folder named Editor (or a subfolder within it). Any script in an Editor folder will only be compiled and executed within the Unity editor.

Common Editor Scripting Applications:

Custom Inspectors: Overriding the default Inspector for MonoBehaviours or ScriptableObjects.

Editor Windows: Creating entirely new windows within the Unity editor (e.g., "Tools -> My Custom Window").

Property Drawers: Customizing the visual display of a single field (a property) in the Inspector.

Asset Post-Processors: Automatically running scripts when assets are imported (e.g., changing import settings for textures, models).

Menu Items: Adding new entries to Unity's top menus (GameObject, Assets, Tools, etc.).

Gizmos: Drawing custom visual aids in the Scene view.

Scriptable Wizards: Multi-step dialogs for complex setup tasks.

By embracing editor scripting, you move beyond merely developing a game and start developing a highly efficient, personalized game development environment. This investment pays dividends in reduced development time, improved collaboration, and a more enjoyable creative process for everyone on the team.

Understanding the Editor Class and CustomEditor Attribute

The most common entry point into Unity Editor Scripting is through custom inspectors. When you select a MonoBehaviour or ScriptableObject in the Hierarchy or Project window, Unity displays its properties in the Inspector window. By default, Unity generates a generic inspector that lists all public fields and fields marked [SerializeField]. However, you can completely override this default behavior and create your own custom UI using the Editor class and the CustomEditor attribute.

The Editor Class

The Editor class (found in UnityEditor namespace) is the base class for all custom editor scripts.

Your custom inspector script will inherit from Editor.

It provides methods and properties to interact with the target object, draw UI elements, and manage changes.

The CustomEditor Attribute

This attribute is placed above your custom editor class.

It tells Unity which specific type of object your custom editor is designed for.

[CustomEditor(typeof(YourMonoBehaviourType))] maps the editor to a MonoBehaviour.

[CustomEditor(typeof(YourScriptableObjectType))] maps it to a ScriptableObject.

Basic Structure of a Custom Inspector:

Create an All editor scripts must reside in a folder named Editor (or a subfolder within it). Unity treats scripts in this folder specially, compiling them for the editor only.

Create Your Custom Editor Script:

// Your custom Editor script (MyComponentEditor.cs)
// This script MUST be in an 'Editor' folder somewhere in your project.
using UnityEngine;
using UnityEditor; // Required for Editor and EditorGUI/EditorGUILayout

[CustomEditor(typeof(MyComponent))] // Tell Unity this editor is for MyComponent
public class MyComponentEditor : Editor // Inherit from Editor
{
    // This is the core method where you draw your custom UI
    public override void OnInspectorGUI()
    {
        // Get a reference to the target object (the MyComponent instance being inspected)
        MyComponent myComponent = (MyComponent)target;

        // Display a custom label
        EditorGUILayout.LabelField("My Custom Inspector for MyComponent", EditorStyles.boldLabel);

        // 1. Manually draw fields:
        // This gives you full control but requires more boilerplate
        myComponent.publicValue = EditorGUILayout.IntField("Public Value (Manual)", myComponent.publicValue);
        myComponent.objectColor = EditorGUILayout.ColorField("Object Color (Manual)", myComponent.objectColor);

        // 2. Using SerializedProperty (RECOMMENDED for data fields):
        // This is Unity's way of safely and efficiently handling serialized data.
        // It automatically handles undo/redo, prefab overrides, and multi-object editing.
        SerializedProperty serializedValueProp = serializedObject.FindProperty("serializedValue");
        EditorGUILayout.PropertyField(serializedValueProp); // Draws the field as Unity normally would

        // Draw other properties using PropertyField
        EditorGUILayout.PropertyField(serializedObject.FindProperty("targetObject"));
        EditorGUILayout.PropertyField(serializedObject.FindProperty("offset"));
        EditorGUILayout.PropertyField(serializedObject.FindProperty("showAdvancedSettings"));

        // Example of conditional UI based on a property
        if (myComponent.showAdvancedSettings)
        {
            EditorGUILayout.Space();
            EditorGUILayout.LabelField("Advanced Settings", EditorStyles.miniBoldLabel);
            // You could draw more complex UI here for advanced options
            if (GUILayout.Button("Perform Advanced Operation"))
            {
                Debug.Log("Advanced operation initiated!");
            }
        }

        // Draw a custom button that calls a method on the target component
        if (GUILayout.Button("Call DoSomething()"))
        {
            myComponent.DoSomething(); // Call a method on the MonoBehaviour
        }

        // Apply changes to the serialized object
        // This is crucial for saving modifications, handling undo, and multi-object editing.
        serializedObject.ApplyModifiedProperties();
    }
}

When you attach MyComponent to a GameObject and select that GameObject, Unity will now use MyComponentEditor to draw its Inspector.

Key Elements of OnInspectorGUI():

target: A property inherited from Editor that holds a reference to the single UnityEngine.Object currently being inspected. Cast it to your specific type (MyComponent).

serializedObject: Another property from Editor that represents the serialized version of target. This is crucial for robust editor scripting.

It's used with FindProperty() to get SerializedProperty instances.

Always call (though often implicitly handled if you don't manually draw every field) to ensure your inspector reflects the latest values.

Always call to write back any changes made via SerializedProperty and handle undo/redo and prefab overrides correctly.

and : These static classes provide methods for drawing various UI controls (fields, buttons, toggles, etc.) in the editor.

EditorGUILayout methods handle layout automatically (e.g., EditorGUILayout.IntField).

EditorGUI methods give you finer control over positioning and sizing (EditorGUI.IntField), often used within EditorGUILayout.BeginHorizontal() / EndHorizontal() blocks or PropertyDrawers.

By mastering the Editor class and CustomEditor attribute, you gain immense control over how your components are presented and configured within the Unity editor, significantly improving the usability of your game's building blocks.

Harnessing the Power of EditorGUILayout and EditorGUI for Rich UI Design

Once you're inside the OnInspectorGUI() method of your custom editor, you have access to two powerful static classes for drawing UI elements: EditorGUILayout and EditorGUI. Understanding their differences and how to use them effectively is key to creating intuitive and visually appealing custom interfaces.

EditorGUILayout: Automatic Layout and Simplicity

EditorGUILayout is the higher-level API, designed for convenience. Its methods automatically handle common layout tasks like spacing, indentation, and fitting elements within the Inspector's width. This makes it ideal for most general-purpose custom inspectors.

Common

EditorGUILayout.PropertyField(SerializedProperty property, GUIContent label = null, bool includeChildren = true, params GUILayoutOption[] options): The most powerful and recommended method for drawing single serialized fields. It automatically draws the appropriate UI control based on the SerializedProperty's type, respects PropertyDrawers, and handles [Tooltip], [Header], [Range] attributes. It also automatically handles undo/redo, prefab overrides, and multi-object editing.

EditorGUILayout.IntField(string label, int value): Draws an integer input field.

EditorGUILayout.FloatField(string label, float value): Draws a float input field.

EditorGUILayout.TextField(string label, string value): Draws a text input field.

EditorGUILayout.ObjectField(string label, Object obj, System.Type objType, bool allowSceneObjects): Draws an object reference field (e.g., for GameObject, MonoBehaviour, Texture2D).

EditorGUILayout.EnumPopup(string label, System.Enum selected): Draws an enum dropdown.

EditorGUILayout.Toggle(string label, bool value): Draws a checkbox.

EditorGUILayout.Slider(string label, float value, float leftValue, float rightValue): Draws a float slider.

EditorGUILayout.Vector3Field(string label, Vector3 value): Draws a Vector3 input field.

EditorGUILayout.ColorField(string label, Color value): Draws a color picker.

/ : Group controls to be laid out horizontally.

/ : Group controls to be laid out vertically.

EditorGUILayout.Space(): Adds a vertical space.

EditorGUILayout.HelpBox(string message, MessageType type): Displays a message box with an icon.

EditorGUILayout.LabelField(string label, params GUILayoutOption[] options): Displays static text.

EditorGUILayout.SelectableLabel(string text, params GUILayoutOption[] options): Displays selectable static text.

Example using

using UnityEngine;
using UnityEditor;

[CustomEditor(typeof(MyComponent))]
public class MyComponentEditor : Editor
{
    // Caching SerializedProperties for efficiency and clarity
    private SerializedProperty publicValueProp;
    private SerializedProperty serializedValueProp;
    private SerializedProperty objectColorProp;
    private SerializedProperty targetObjectProp;
    private SerializedProperty offsetProp;
    private SerializedProperty showAdvancedSettingsProp;

    void OnEnable()
    {
        // Find properties once when the editor is enabled
        publicValueProp = serializedObject.FindProperty("publicValue");
        serializedValueProp = serializedObject.FindProperty("serializedValue");
        objectColorProp = serializedObject.FindProperty("objectColor");
        targetObjectProp = serializedObject.FindProperty("targetObject");
        offsetProp = serializedObject.FindProperty("offset");
        showAdvancedSettingsProp = serializedObject.FindProperty("showAdvancedSettings");
    }

    public override void OnInspectorGUI()
    {
        // Update the serializedObject to reflect recent changes in the target
        serializedObject.Update();

        // Header for clarity
        EditorGUILayout.LabelField("My Custom Component Settings", EditorStyles.boldLabel);
        EditorGUILayout.Space();

        // Group basic settings
        EditorGUILayout.BeginVertical(EditorStyles.helpBox); // Use a style to create a visual group
        EditorGUILayout.LabelField("Basic Properties", EditorStyles.miniBoldLabel);
        EditorGUILayout.PropertyField(publicValueProp, new GUIContent("Public Int Value")); // Custom label
        EditorGUILayout.PropertyField(serializedValueProp);
        EditorGUILayout.PropertyField(objectColorProp);
        EditorGUILayout.PropertyField(targetObjectProp);
        EditorGUILayout.PropertyField(offsetProp);
        EditorGUILayout.EndVertical();

        EditorGUILayout.Space();

        // Advanced settings toggle and conditional display
        EditorGUILayout.BeginVertical(EditorStyles.helpBox);
        EditorGUILayout.PropertyField(showAdvancedSettingsProp, new GUIContent("Show Advanced Settings"));
        if (showAdvancedSettingsProp.boolValue) // Access the value directly from the SerializedProperty
        {
            EditorGUILayout.Space();
            EditorGUILayout.HelpBox("These are experimental advanced settings.", MessageType.Warning);

            MyComponent myComponent = (MyComponent)target; // Direct access for runtime method

            EditorGUILayout.BeginHorizontal();
            EditorGUILayout.LabelField("Current Component ID:", GUILayout.Width(150));
            EditorGUILayout.SelectableLabel(myComponent.GetInstanceID().ToString(), EditorStyles.textField);
            EditorGUILayout.EndHorizontal();

            if (GUILayout.Button("Execute Complex Logic"))
            {
                myComponent.DoSomething();
            }
        }
        EditorGUILayout.EndVertical();

        // Apply any changes made in the Inspector back to the target object
        serializedObject.ApplyModifiedProperties();
    }
}

EditorGUI: Fine-Grained Control and Manual Positioning

EditorGUI is the lower-level API. Its methods require you to manually specify the Rect (position and size) where the control should be drawn. This gives you absolute control over layout but requires more calculation and management. EditorGUI methods are typically used in:

s: For drawing custom UI for a single field type.

Custom : Where you manage the entire layout of the window.

Within EditorGUILayout.Begin/End blocks when you need to precisely position elements.

Common

EditorGUI.PropertyField(Rect position, SerializedProperty property, GUIContent label = null, bool includeChildren = true): The EditorGUI equivalent of EditorGUILayout.PropertyField. Requires a Rect.

EditorGUI.IntField(Rect position, GUIContent label, int value): Draws an integer input field at a specific Rect.

EditorGUI.LabelField(Rect position, GUIContent label, GUIContent content): Draws a label.

EditorGUI.Slider(Rect position, GUIContent label, float value, float leftValue, float rightValue): Draws a slider.

EditorGUI.ColorField(Rect position, GUIContent label, Color value): Draws a color picker.

Example showing

Important Considerations:

and Always use these when working with SerializedProperty to ensure data consistency, undo/redo, and prefab overrides.

: If you are directly modifying fields on your target object (e.g., myComponent.publicValue = ...) rather than using SerializedProperty, you must call EditorUtility.SetDirty(target) to tell Unity that the object has been modified and needs to be saved. This is less robust for undo/redo than SerializedProperty.

/ Use these blocks to detect if any UI control within the block has been changed by the user. This is particularly useful when you need to perform actions only when a value has been modified.

By thoughtfully combining EditorGUILayout for general layout and EditorGUI for precise control, you can craft highly functional and aesthetically pleasing custom inspectors that significantly enhance your Unity development workflow.

Implementing Custom Editor Windows for Powerful Project-Wide Tools

While custom inspectors are fantastic for individual components, sometimes you need a broader tool that isn't tied to a specific MonoBehaviour or ScriptableObject. This is where Custom Editor Windows come into play. An EditorWindow allows you to create an entirely new, dockable window within the Unity editor, providing a dedicated space for complex project-wide tools, asset management utilities, scene generation wizards, or custom data viewers.

The EditorWindow Class

The EditorWindow class (found in UnityEditor namespace) is the base class for all custom editor windows.

Your custom window script will inherit from EditorWindow.

It provides methods and properties to handle window lifecycle, draw UI, and respond to user input.

Basic Structure of an EditorWindow:

Create an As always, your editor window script must reside in an Editor folder.

Create Your Custom Editor Window Script:

// MyCustomWindow.cs
// This script MUST be in an 'Editor' folder.
using UnityEngine;
using UnityEditor;
using System.Collections.Generic;

public class MyCustomWindow : EditorWindow // Inherit from EditorWindow
{
    // Internal state variables for the window
    private string objectName = "New GameObject";
    private Color objectColor = Color.white;
    private int objectCount = 1;
    private List<GameObject> createdObjects = new List<GameObject>();
    private Vector2 scrollPos; // For scrollable areas

    // This method is used to create and show the window
    [MenuItem("Tools/My Custom Tools/Open My Custom Window")] // Add menu item to open the window
    public static void ShowWindow()
    {
        // Get existing open window or create a new one
        // MyCustomWindow window = (MyCustomWindow)EditorWindow.GetWindow(typeof(MyCustomWindow), false, "My Custom Window");
        // The above GetWindow call is slightly more robust, but this is simpler:
        MyCustomWindow window = GetWindow<MyCustomWindow>("My Custom Window");

        // Optional: Set min/max size
        window.minSize = new Vector2(300, 200);
        // window.maxSize = new Vector2(600, 400);

        // Show the window
        window.Show();
    }

    // Called when the window is opened or gains focus
    void OnEnable()
    {
        // Initialize any data here
        Debug.Log("MyCustomWindow enabled.");
        createdObjects.Clear(); // Clear on enable or load from settings
        objectName = EditorPrefs.GetString("MyCustomWindow_ObjectName", "New GameObject");
        objectCount = EditorPrefs.GetInt("MyCustomWindow_ObjectCount", 1);
        objectColor = new Color(
            EditorPrefs.GetFloat("MyCustomWindow_ColorR", 1f),
            EditorPrefs.GetFloat("MyCustomWindow_ColorG", 1f),
            EditorPrefs.GetFloat("MyCustomWindow_ColorB", 1f)
        );
    }

    // Called when the window is closed or loses focus
    void OnDisable()
    {
        // Save settings here if needed
        Debug.Log("MyCustomWindow disabled. Saving settings.");
        EditorPrefs.SetString("MyCustomWindow_ObjectName", objectName);
        EditorPrefs.SetInt("MyCustomWindow_ObjectCount", objectCount);
        EditorPrefs.SetFloat("MyCustomWindow_ColorR", objectColor.r);
        EditorPrefs.SetFloat("MyCustomWindow_ColorG", objectColor.g);
        EditorPrefs.SetFloat("MyCustomWindow_ColorB", objectColor.b);
    }

    // This is the core method where you draw your custom UI for the window
    void OnGUI()
    {
        EditorGUILayout.LabelField("GameObject Spawner", EditorStyles.boldLabel);
        EditorGUILayout.Space();

        // Input fields for spawning GameObjects
        objectName = EditorGUILayout.TextField("Object Name", objectName);
        objectColor = EditorGUILayout.ColorField("Object Color", objectColor);
        objectCount = EditorGUILayout.IntSlider("Count", objectCount, 1, 100);

        EditorGUILayout.Space();

        // Button to spawn objects
        if (GUILayout.Button("Spawn Objects"))
        {
            SpawnObjects(objectName, objectColor, objectCount);
        }

        EditorGUILayout.Space();
        EditorGUILayout.LabelField("Created Objects:", EditorStyles.miniBoldLabel);

        // Display a list of created objects (scrollable)
        scrollPos = EditorGUILayout.BeginScrollView(scrollPos, GUILayout.Height(100)); // Fixed height scroll view
        {
            if (createdObjects.Count == 0)
            {
                EditorGUILayout.HelpBox("No objects spawned yet.", MessageType.Info);
            }
            else
            {
                for (int i = 0; i < createdObjects.Count; i++)
                {
                    GameObject obj = createdObjects[i];
                    EditorGUILayout.BeginHorizontal();
                    EditorGUILayout.ObjectField(obj, typeof(GameObject), true); // Display reference
                    if (GUILayout.Button("Delete", GUILayout.Width(60)))
                    {
                        if (obj != null)
                        {
                            // Must destroy objects in editor through EditorApplication.delayCall or Undo.DestroyObjectImmediate
                            Undo.DestroyObjectImmediate(obj);
                        }
                        createdObjects.RemoveAt(i);
                        i--; // Adjust index after removal
                    }
                    EditorGUILayout.EndHorizontal();
                }
            }
        }
        EditorGUILayout.EndScrollView();

        EditorGUILayout.Space();

        // Button to clear the list and scene objects
        if (GUILayout.Button("Clear All Spawned Objects"))
        {
            ClearCreatedObjects();
        }
    }

    // Logic for spawning objects
    void SpawnObjects(string name, Color color, int count)
    {
        // Record initial state for Undo
        Undo.SetCurrentGroupName("Spawn Objects");
        int group = Undo.GetCurrentGroup();

        for (int i = 0; i < count; i++)
        {
            GameObject newObj = new GameObject(name + (i > 0 ? "_" + i : ""));
            // Record the creation of the object for Undo
            Undo.RegisterCreatedObjectUndo(newObj, "Create " + newObj.name);

            newObj.transform.position = Vector3.right * i * 1.2f; // Offset for visibility

            // Add a Renderer component and assign a default material with the chosen color
            Renderer renderer = newObj.AddComponent<MeshRenderer>();
            // Need a MeshFilter too to render
            newObj.AddComponent<MeshFilter>().sharedMesh = Resources.GetBuiltinResource<Mesh>("Cube.fbx");

            Material material = new Material(Shader.Find("Standard")); // Use a standard shader
            material.color = color;
            renderer.material = material;

            createdObjects.Add(newObj);
        }

        // Mark the scene as dirty to save changes
        EditorSceneManager.MarkSceneDirty(UnityEditor.SceneManagement.EditorSceneManager.GetActiveScene());
        // Select the last created object in the scene
        Selection.activeGameObject = createdObjects.Count > 0 ? createdObjects[createdObjects.Count - 1] : null;

        Undo.CollapseUndoOperations(group); // Collapse all operations into one undo step
    }

    // Logic for clearing created objects
    void ClearCreatedObjects()
    {
        Undo.SetCurrentGroupName("Clear All Spawned Objects");
        int group = Undo.GetCurrentGroup();

        foreach (GameObject obj in createdObjects)
        {
            if (obj != null)
            {
                Undo.DestroyObjectImmediate(obj); // Use Immediate for editor operations
            }
        }
        createdObjects.Clear();
        EditorSceneManager.MarkSceneDirty(UnityEditor.SceneManagement.EditorSceneManager.GetActiveScene());
        Undo.CollapseUndoOperations(group);
    }
}

When you save this script and go to Tools -> My Custom Tools -> Open My Custom Window in Unity, your custom window will appear.

Key EditorWindow Methods and Considerations:

[MenuItem("Path/To/Menu Item")]: This attribute adds an entry to Unity's top menu bar. When clicked, it executes the static method it's attached to (e.g., ShowWindow()).

Priorities: You can specify an optional integer priority (e.g., [MenuItem("Tools/My Tool", false, 10)]) to control the order of menu items.

Validation: Use [MenuItem("Path/To/Menu Item", true)] for a static method that returns a bool to enable/disable the menu item (e.g., CanOpenMyWindow()).

or : Static methods to create or get an existing instance of your editor window.

and : Lifecycle methods. OnEnable() is called when the window is opened or gains focus; OnDisable() when it's closed or loses focus. Use these for initialization, resource cleanup, and saving/loading window-specific settings (e.g., using EditorPrefs).

OnGUI(): The main method where you draw all your window's UI using EditorGUILayout and EditorGUI. This method is called multiple times per frame.

Repaint(): Forces the window to redraw its OnGUI() content immediately. Useful when your internal data changes and the UI needs to update.

EditorPrefs: Similar to PlayerPrefs but for the editor. Use EditorPrefs.SetString(), EditorPrefs.GetInt(), etc., to save persistent settings specific to your editor window (e.g., last used values for input fields). This data persists across editor sessions.

System: Crucial for editor tools.

Undo.RegisterCreatedObjectUndo(Object objectToUndo, string name): Registers the creation of an object for undo.

Undo.RecordObject(Object objectToRecord, string name): Records the state of an object before modification.

Undo.DestroyObjectImmediate(Object objectToDestroy): Destroys an object and registers it for undo.

/ : Group multiple undo operations into a single step for the user.

EditorSceneManager.MarkSceneDirty(Scene scene): If your editor window modifies the scene (e.g., creates GameObjects), you must call this to ensure Unity knows the scene needs to be saved.

/ : Interact with currently selected objects in the Hierarchy/Project window.

Custom editor windows are invaluable for building powerful, centralized tools that significantly enhance productivity and integrate deeply with your project's unique requirements, transforming the Unity editor into a truly bespoke development environment.

Using PropertyDrawer to Customize the Appearance of Serialized Fields

While CustomEditor allows you to customize the entire inspector for a MonoBehaviour or ScriptableObject, sometimes you only want to change how a single field (a property) of a custom type is displayed. This is where PropertyDrawer comes in.

A PropertyDrawer allows you to create a custom UI for:

Custom If you have a custom data structure (e.g., Range<float>, PlayerStatsData) that is used as a field in a MonoBehaviour or ScriptableObject, you can create a PropertyDrawer for it.

Fields with custom attributes: You can create custom attributes (e.g., [MinMaxRange], [ScenePath]) and then write a PropertyDrawer that specifically targets fields decorated with that attribute.

The key advantage of a PropertyDrawer is that it applies wherever that property type appears in any inspector, without needing to write a full CustomEditor for every component that uses it. It automatically integrates with Unity's undo/redo system, prefab overrides, and multi-object editing through SerializedProperty.

Basic Structure of a PropertyDrawer:

Define Your Custom Data Structure (if applicable):

Define Your

Create Your

// PowerSettingsDrawer.cs (MUST be in an 'Editor' folder)
using UnityEngine;
using UnityEditor;

// Tell Unity this PropertyDrawer is for the PowerSettings type
[CustomPropertyDrawer(typeof(PowerSettings))]
public class PowerSettingsDrawer : PropertyDrawer // Inherit from PropertyDrawer
{
    // This method calculates the total height needed for the property in the Inspector
    public override float GetPropertyHeight(SerializedProperty property, GUIContent label)
    {
        // Calculate height for 4 lines of properties, plus some spacing.
        // Each line is EditorGUIUtility.singleLineHeight tall.
        return EditorGUIUtility.singleLineHeight * 4 + EditorGUIUtility.standardVerticalSpacing * 3;
    }

    // This is the core method where you draw the custom UI for the property
    public override void OnGUI(Rect position, SerializedProperty property, GUIContent label)
    {
        // Using EditorGUI.PropertyScope ensures proper label, indentation, and prefab overrides
        using (new EditorGUI.PropertyScope(position, label, property))
        {
            // Reduce indent level for the internal fields to align them with the main label
            // EditorGUI.indentLevel++;

            // Calculate rects for each line
            // The 'position' rect is the total area for the entire property
            Rect basePowerRect = new Rect(position.x, position.y, position.width, EditorGUIUtility.singleLineHeight);
            Rect multiplierRect = new Rect(position.x, position.y + EditorGUIUtility.singleLineHeight + EditorGUIUtility.standardVerticalSpacing, position.width, EditorGUIUtility.singleLineHeight);
            Rect colorRect = new Rect(position.x, position.y + EditorGUIUtility.singleLineHeight * 2 + EditorGUIUtility.standardVerticalSpacing * 2, position.width, EditorGUIUtility.singleLineHeight);
            Rect specialAbilityRect = new Rect(position.x, position.y + EditorGUIUtility.singleLineHeight * 3 + EditorGUIUtility.standardVerticalSpacing * 3, position.width, EditorGUIUtility.singleLineHeight);


            // Find the SerializedProperties for the individual fields within PowerSettings
            SerializedProperty basePowerProp = property.FindPropertyRelative("basePower");
            SerializedProperty powerMultiplierProp = property.FindPropertyRelative("powerMultiplier");
            SerializedProperty powerColorProp = property.FindPropertyRelative("powerColor");
            SerializedProperty hasSpecialAbilityProp = property.FindPropertyRelative("hasSpecialAbility");

            // Draw the fields using EditorGUI.PropertyField
            // This handles undo, prefab overrides, and custom attributes on those fields
            EditorGUI.PropertyField(basePowerRect, basePowerProp);
            EditorGUI.PropertyField(multiplierRect, powerMultiplierProp);
            EditorGUI.PropertyField(colorRect, powerColorProp);
            EditorGUI.PropertyField(specialAbilityRect, hasSpecialAbilityProp);

            // EditorGUI.indentLevel--;
        }
    }
}

// PropertyDrawer for our custom ReadOnlyAttribute
[CustomPropertyDrawer(typeof(ReadOnlyAttribute))]
public class ReadOnlyDrawer : PropertyDrawer
{
    // Override OnGUI to draw the property as read-only
    public override void OnGUI(Rect position, SerializedProperty property, GUIContent label)
    {
        // Save the GUI.enabled state
        bool previousGUIState = GUI.enabled;
        // Disable GUI input
        GUI.enabled = false;
        // Draw the property field normally (but it will be greyed out and uneditable)
        EditorGUI.PropertyField(position, property, label, true);
        // Restore the GUI.enabled state
        GUI.enabled = previousGUIState;
    }

    // Ensure the height remains the same as a normal property field
    public override float GetPropertyHeight(SerializedProperty property, GUIContent label)
    {
        return EditorGUI.GetPropertyHeight(property, label, true);
    }
}

Now, whenever a PowerSettings field appears in any inspector, it will use your custom drawer. Similarly, any field marked [ReadOnly] will be displayed as uneditable.

Key Aspects of PropertyDrawer:

or : Maps the drawer to the specific type or attribute.

GetPropertyHeight(SerializedProperty property, GUIContent label): You must override this method to tell Unity how much vertical space your custom drawer requires. If you don't, Unity might draw other properties over yours, or leave too much blank space.

Use EditorGUIUtility.singleLineHeight for the standard height of a single line control.

Use EditorGUIUtility.standardVerticalSpacing for standard vertical spacing between controls.

OnGUI(Rect position, SerializedProperty property, GUIContent label): This is where you draw your custom UI.

position: This Rect represents the total area allocated for your property by Unity. You usually need to divide this Rect into smaller Rects for individual controls.

property: This is the SerializedProperty instance for the field you are drawing. Use property.FindPropertyRelative("fieldName") to access nested fields within your custom class/struct.

EditorGUI.PropertyScope: Wrap your OnGUI content in a using (new EditorGUI.PropertyScope(position, label, property)) { ... } block. This is crucial as it automatically handles:

Indentation: Resets indentation for drawing sub-properties and restores it afterwards.

Label: Draws the main label for the property.

Prefab Overrides: Ensures the property field appears correctly when it's part of a prefab.

Undo/Redo: Works correctly with SerializedProperty.

vs. : Inside PropertyDrawers, you primarily use EditorGUI methods because you are given a specific Rect to draw within. EditorGUILayout methods handle their own layout and can conflict with the Rect-based approach of PropertyDrawer.

GUI.enabled: You can temporarily disable GUI elements (make them greyed out and uneditable) by setting GUI.enabled = false; and remembering to restore it afterwards.

PropertyDrawers are incredibly powerful for creating reusable, visually consistent custom UI for your data structures and attributes across your entire project. They greatly simplify CustomEditors by allowing you to delegate the drawing of complex individual fields to specialized drawers.

Managing Asset Post-Processors to Automate Import Settings and Enforce Project Standards

Asset post-processors are a highly potent form of Unity Editor Scripting that allows you to execute custom code every time an asset is imported or re-imported into your project. This provides an unparalleled opportunity to automate import settings, enforce project standards, perform pre-processing on assets, and even generate additional assets.

The AssetPostprocessor Class

The AssetPostprocessor class (found in UnityEditor namespace) is the base class for your custom post-processor scripts.

Your script will inherit from AssetPostprocessor.

You implement specific callback methods (prefixed with OnPre or OnPost) that Unity invokes at different stages of the asset import pipeline.

Key AssetPostprocessor Callbacks:

All post-processor scripts must be in an Editor folder.

Called before Unity processes any asset.

Use this for general-purpose logic that applies to all asset types.

You can access assetPath to determine the type and location of the asset.

Specific Pre-Processors (More Common):

OnPreprocessTexture(): Called before a texture is imported. You can modify assetImporter (which is cast to TextureImporter) to change texture type, compression, mipmap settings, etc.

OnPreprocessModel(): Called before a 3D model (FBX, OBJ, etc.) is imported. You can modify assetImporter (cast to ModelImporter) to change scale factor, generate colliders, import animations, etc.

OnPreprocessAudio(): Called before an audio clip is imported. Modify assetImporter (cast to AudioImporter).

Specific Post-Processors:

OnPostprocessTexture(Texture2D texture): Called after a texture is imported and processed by Unity. You have access to the imported Texture2D object.

OnPostprocessModel(GameObject root): Called after a model is imported. root is the main GameObject created from the model. You can modify its hierarchy, add components, etc.

OnPostprocessAudio(AudioClip clip): Called after an audio clip is imported.

OnPostprocessAllAssets(string[] importedAssets, string[] deletedAssets, string[] movedAssets, string[] movedFromAssetPaths): Called after all assets have been imported, deleted, or moved. Provides lists of affected asset paths. Useful for triggering broader project-wide updates.

Basic Structure and Examples:

// MyAssetPostprocessor.cs
// This script MUST be in an 'Editor' folder.
using UnityEngine;
using UnityEditor;
using UnityEditor.SceneManagement; // For marking scenes dirty

public class MyAssetPostprocessor : AssetPostprocessor // Inherit from AssetPostprocessor
{
    // --- General Pre-processing ---
    void OnPreprocessAsset()
    {
        // Only act on assets within specific folders
        if (assetPath.Contains("Assets/Textures/UI/"))
        {
            Debug.Log($"Pre-processing asset: {assetPath}");
        }
    }

    // --- Texture Import Automation ---
    void OnPreprocessTexture()
    {
        TextureImporter textureImporter = assetImporter as TextureImporter;
        if (textureImporter == null) return;

        // Force all textures in a specific folder to be UI sprites
        if (assetPath.Contains("Assets/Textures/UI/"))
        {
            textureImporter.textureType = TextureImporterType.Sprite;
            textureImporter.spriteImportMode = SpriteImportMode.Single;
            textureImporter.mipmapEnabled = false; // UI sprites usually don't need mipmaps
            textureImporter.sRGBTexture = true; // Most UI textures are sRGB
            textureImporter.alphaIsTransparency = true; // Assume alpha channel is for transparency
            textureImporter.filterMode = FilterMode.Bilinear; // Smooth scaling
            textureImporter.textureCompression = TextureImporterCompression.Compressed;
            textureImporter.compressionQuality = TextureImporterCompressionQuality.Best;

            // Platform specific overrides (example for Android)
            TextureImporterPlatformSettings androidSettings = textureImporter.GetPlatformTextureSettings("Android");
            androidSettings.overridden = true;
            androidSettings.maxTextureSize = 2048; // Max size for Android
            androidSettings.format = TextureImporterFormat.ASTC_6x6; // Specific format
            textureImporter.SetPlatformTextureSettings(androidSettings);

            Debug.Log($"Configured texture: {assetPath} as UI Sprite.");
        }
        // General texture settings for a "Props" folder
        else if (assetPath.Contains("Assets/Models/Props/Textures/"))
        {
            textureImporter.textureType = TextureImporterType.Default;
            textureImporter.mipmapEnabled = true;
            textureImporter.sRGBTexture = true;
            textureImporter.alphaSource = TextureImporterAlphaSource.FromInput; // Use alpha if present
            textureImporter.textureCompression = TextureImporterCompression.Compressed;
            textureImporter.compressionQuality = TextureImporterCompressionQuality.Normal;
            Debug.Log($"Configured texture: {assetPath} for Prop.");
        }
    }

    // --- Model Import Automation ---
    void OnPreprocessModel()
    {
        ModelImporter modelImporter = assetImporter as ModelImporter;
        if (modelImporter == null) return;

        // Force scale factor for all models
        modelImporter.globalScale = 1.0f; // Ensure consistent scale
        modelImporter.useFileUnits = false; // Often better to override file units

        // Specific settings for models that should generate colliders
        if (assetPath.Contains("Assets/Models/Environments/"))
        {
            modelImporter.importVisibility = false; // Don't import visibility curves
            modelImporter.importCameras = false; // Don't import cameras
            modelImporter.importLights = false; // Don't import lights
            modelImporter.addCollider = true; // Generate mesh collider
            Debug.Log($"Configured model: {assetPath} with collider.");
        }
        else if (assetPath.Contains("Assets/Models/Characters/"))
        {
            modelImporter.importAnimation = true; // Ensure animations are imported
            modelImporter.animationType = ModelImporterAnimationType.Humanoid; // Set as humanoid for Mecanim
            modelImporter.optimizeGameObjects = true; // Reduce transform count
            Debug.Log($"Configured model: {assetPath} as Humanoid character.");
        }
    }

    // --- Post-processing after model import ---
    void OnPostprocessModel(GameObject root)
    {
        // Example: Add a specific component to imported models in a certain folder
        if (assetPath.Contains("Assets/Models/Collectibles/"))
        {
            // Find the root object that represents the actual model content
            // Sometimes the root GameObject is just a container, the actual model might be a child
            Transform modelRoot = root.transform; // Assuming the actual model mesh is directly on the root or one level down
            if (modelRoot.childCount > 0) // Look for first child as model root
            {
                modelRoot = modelRoot.GetChild(0);
            }

            if (modelRoot != null && modelRoot.GetComponent<Collider>() == null)
            {
                 // Add a BoxCollider for collectibles if not already present
                BoxCollider collider = modelRoot.gameObject.AddComponent<BoxCollider>();
                collider.isTrigger = true;
                Debug.Log($"Added BoxCollider to collectible: {root.name}");

                // Add a custom script (if exists)
                // modelRoot.gameObject.AddComponent<CollectibleItem>();
            }
        }
    }

    // --- General Post-processing for all assets ---
    static void OnPostprocessAllAssets(string[] importedAssets, string[] deletedAssets, string[] movedAssets, string[] movedFromAssetPaths)
    {
        foreach (string str in importedAssets)
        {
            if (str.EndsWith(".fbx"))
            {
                Debug.Log($"Imported FBX asset: {str}. Triggering scene update...");
                // Example: If importing a model should trigger a scene to be marked dirty
                // EditorSceneManager.MarkSceneDirty(EditorSceneManager.GetActiveScene());
            }
        }
    }
}

When you import or re-import any asset matching the assetPath conditions, your post-processor will automatically run, applying the specified settings.

Important Considerations for Asset Post-Processors:

assetPath: This string property of AssetPostprocessor tells you the full path to the asset being processed (e.g., "Assets/Textures/my_image.png"). Use string.Contains(), string.StartsWith(), string.EndsWith() to filter for specific assets or folders.

assetImporter: This property gives you access to the specific importer object (e.g., TextureImporter, ModelImporter). You cast assetImporter to the appropriate type and then modify its properties.

Performance: Post-processors run on every import/re-import. Make your logic efficient. Avoid heavy computations, especially in OnPreprocessAsset, which runs for everything.

Idempotency: Your post-processor should produce the same result every time it runs on the same input. Avoid side effects that could lead to inconsistent states.

Order of Execution: Unity generally runs OnPreprocess methods before OnPostprocess methods. If multiple post-processors exist for the same asset, their order of execution is not guaranteed unless you implement AssetPostprocessor.Get///, a more advanced feature not covered here.

Re-importing is Key: If you change your post-processor script, you might need to re-import the affected assets (select them in the Project window and click "Reimport") to see the changes take effect.

Scene Modifications in Post-Processors: Be very cautious about modifying the scene directly from asset post-processors. While OnPostprocessAllAssets can be used to trigger actions, directly altering scene GameObjects from an OnPostprocessModel for example, creates prefab overrides which can be problematic. If you do modify the scene, ensure you use EditorSceneManager.MarkSceneDirty().

: If you want to force an asset to be re-imported from within another editor script, use this method.

Asset post-processors are a powerful way to automate tedious import tasks, enforce consistent settings across your team, and maintain project quality. They are an essential tool in a robust Unity editor scripting toolkit.

Best Practices for Creating Maintainable and Performant Editor Scripts

Creating powerful editor tools is one thing; ensuring they are maintainable, performant, and don't introduce new headaches is another. Adhering to best practices is crucial for long-term success with Unity Editor Scripting.

Maintainability Best Practices:

Separate Editor Code into

Rule: Always place your editor-specific scripts in a folder named Editor (or a subfolder of an Editor folder).

Reason: This prevents editor-only code from being included in your final game build, reducing build size and avoiding compilation errors in runtime.

Structure: Create logical subfolders within Editor for different tool types (e.g., Editor/CustomInspectors, Editor/EditorWindows, Editor/AssetProcessors).

Use

Rule: Wherever possible, interact with the serialized data of your target MonoBehaviour or ScriptableObject using serializedObject.FindProperty("fieldName") to get a SerializedProperty.

Reason: These classes automatically handle:

Undo/Redo: Provides native undo/redo functionality for free.

Prefab Overrides: Correctly handles modifications to properties that are part of a prefab instance.

Multi-object Editing: Allows your editor to work seamlessly when multiple objects are selected.

Performance: Generally more efficient than direct field access for complex objects.

Exceptions: If you're calling a method on your target object (e.g., myComponent.DoSomething()) or accessing a non-serialized field, direct access is fine.

Cache

Rule: For performance, find and store references to SerializedProperty instances in the OnEnable() method of your CustomEditor or PropertyDrawer.

Reason: FindProperty() can be an expensive operation. OnEnable() is called less frequently than OnGUI(), so caching improves performance when OnGUI() is called many times per frame.

Use

Rule: Always wrap the content of your PropertyDrawer.OnGUI() method in this scope.

Reason: Ensures correct indentation, draws the main label, and handles other internal editor magic related to properties.

Leverage

Rule: When you just want to draw a SerializedProperty as Unity normally would, use EditorGUILayout.PropertyField().

Reason: It's the simplest way to display a property, automatically respects PropertyDrawers for that property type, and handles layout. Only use EditorGUI or direct field access when PropertyField doesn't offer enough control.

Break Down Complex Tools into Smaller Components:

Rule: For large editor windows or complex inspectors, split their functionality into smaller, focused methods or even separate utility classes.

Reason: Improves readability, testability, and reusability.

Handle Undo/Redo Manually for Non-SerializedProperty Changes:

Rule: If you directly modify fields on target or create/destroy objects from your editor script, you must use Undo.RecordObject(), Undo.RegisterCreatedObjectUndo(), Undo.DestroyObjectImmediate(), etc.

Reason: Without this, user actions in your tool won't be undoable, leading to frustration.

Use

Rule: If you modify a UnityEngine.Object (e.g., a MonoBehaviour, ScriptableObject, or asset) directly (not via SerializedProperty), you must call EditorUtility.SetDirty(target) afterwards.

Reason: This tells Unity that the object has changed and needs to be saved to disk. Without it, your changes might be lost.

Clearly Label UI Elements:

Rule: Use meaningful GUIContent labels for all your UI controls.

Reason: Improves usability for everyone, especially designers, and makes the tool self-documenting.

Performance Best Practices:

Avoid Heavy Computations in

Rule: OnGUI() is called multiple times per frame. Avoid expensive calculations, complex loops, or file I/O within this method.

Reason: Can lead to editor slowdowns or stuttering.

Solution: Perform heavy work on other events (e.g., button clicks), or cache results. If unavoidable, consider using EditorApplication.delayCall or EditorApplication.update for background processing.

Profile Your Editor Scripts:

Rule: If your editor feels sluggish, use the Unity Profiler (in Editor mode) to identify performance bottlenecks in your OnGUI() methods or other editor callbacks.

Reason: Pinpoints the exact source of slowdowns, allowing targeted optimization.

Use

Rule: Wrap blocks of UI code that trigger potentially expensive actions (e.g., recalculating something, marking a scene dirty) within these checks.

Reason: This allows you to only perform the expensive action if a value has actually changed, preventing unnecessary work when the user hasn't interacted.

Minimize

Rule: AssetDatabase.LoadAssetAtPath(), ImportAsset(), SaveAssets() can be slow, especially on large projects. Only call them when necessary.

Reason: These operations can trigger re-imports or serialization, which are resource-intensive.

Optimize

Rule: Keep OnPreprocessAsset, OnPreprocessTexture, OnPreprocessModel, etc., as lean as possible. Add early return statements if the asset doesn't match your criteria.

Reason: These are called for every asset import, so even small inefficiencies can accumulate.

By conscientiously applying these best practices, you can ensure that your Unity Editor Scripts are not only functional but also robust, user-friendly, and a genuine asset to your development process, rather than a source of new problems.

Troubleshooting Common Editor Scripting Issues

Unity Editor Scripting can sometimes feel like a black box, and it's common to encounter issues where your tools don't behave as expected. Here are some common problems and their troubleshooting steps:

Script Not Compiling or Not Found:

Symptom: "The namespace UnityEditor could not be found." or "Type MyCustomEditor not found."

Check: Is your script in an This is the most common reason. Any script using UnityEditor types must be in a folder named Editor (or a subfolder of an Editor folder).

Check: Is there a syntax error in your script? The Console window will show compile errors.

Custom Inspector / Editor Window Not Showing Up:

Symptom: You've created a CustomEditor or EditorWindow script, but the default inspector still appears, or your menu item is missing.

Check

Is the [CustomEditor(typeof(YourComponent))] attribute correctly applied to your editor class, pointing to the exact type of your MonoBehaviour or ScriptableObject?

Is YourComponent properly attached to a GameObject and selected in the Hierarchy/Project?

Check

Is the [MenuItem("Tools/My Tool")] attribute correctly applied to a static method that calls GetWindow<YourWindow>() and Show()?

Is your menu path correct (e.g., Tools/My Tool will appear under the "Tools" menu)?

Check Compilation: Are there any compilation errors in your Console window? Editor scripts might silently fail to load if there are errors.

UI Elements Not Appearing Correctly (Layout Issues):

Symptom: UI elements overlap, are too small, or don't respect spacing.

Check

Are you correctly using EditorGUILayout.BeginHorizontal() / EndHorizontal() and EditorGUILayout.BeginVertical() / EndVertical() for grouping?

Are you calling EditorGUILayout.Space() for consistent spacing?

Check

Did you correctly override GetPropertyHeight() and return the total height needed for your property? This is a very common mistake.

Are you correctly dividing the position Rect into smaller Rects for EditorGUI calls? Remember to account for EditorGUIUtility.singleLineHeight and EditorGUIUtility.standardVerticalSpacing.

Are you using EditorGUI.PropertyScope?

Check You are responsible for every Rect's position and size. Double-check your new Rect(...) calculations.

Changes in Inspector Not Saving or Not Undoable:

Symptom: You change a value in your custom inspector, but it reverts, or Ctrl+Z doesn't work.

Check

Did you call serializedObject.Update() at the beginning of OnInspectorGUI()?

Did you call serializedObject.ApplyModifiedProperties() at the end of OnInspectorGUI()?

Are you actually modifying SerializedProperty.floatValue, intValue, boolValue, etc., rather than directly modifying fields on target? This is critical for undo/redo and prefab overrides.

Check Direct Field Modification: If you are directly modifying fields on your target object (e.g., myComponent.publicValue = ...), you must call EditorUtility.SetDirty(target) after the change and, for undo, Undo.RecordObject(target, "Changed myValue") before the change.

Scene Objects Not Saving After Modification from Editor Window:

Symptom: Your editor window creates or modifies GameObjects in the scene, but when you save the scene, the changes are gone.

Check If you modify GameObjects in the scene, you must call EditorSceneManager.MarkSceneDirty(EditorSceneManager.GetActiveScene()) to tell Unity the scene needs saving.

Check Undo: Use Undo.RegisterCreatedObjectUndo() for new objects and Undo.DestroyObjectImmediate() for deleted ones.

Performance Lags in the Editor:

Symptom: Editor feels slow, choppy, or freezes, especially when your custom tool is open or an asset is imported.

Check

Are you doing heavy calculations, complex loops, or file I/O in OnGUI()? This method is called many times per frame. Move heavy logic to button clicks or OnEnable().

Is your OnPreprocess method running too much logic for every asset, or not using early return statements for irrelevant assets?

Use Unity Profiler: Switch the Profiler to "Editor" mode and analyze CPU usage. It will quickly show you which editor methods are consuming the most time.

: Use this to only trigger expensive updates when values actually change.

Asset Post-Processor Not Taking Effect:

Symptom: You modify your OnPreprocessTexture() method, but textures you import don't get the new settings.

Check You must modify properties directly on the assetImporter object (e.g., textureImporter.textureType = ...), not on the Texture2D itself (which only exists after import).

Re-import Assets: If you change your post-processor, you often need to select the affected assets in the Project window and click "Reimport" from their context menu (or "Reimport All" for the entire project).

By systematically checking these common pitfalls and understanding the core principles of Unity Editor Scripting, you can efficiently troubleshoot problems and build reliable, high-quality editor tools that truly enhance your development process.

Summary: Mastering Unity Editor Scripting: A Comprehensive Guide to Custom Tools & Inspectors for Enhanced Workflow

Mastering Unity Editor Scripting for custom tools and inspectors is undeniably a game-changer for any serious game developer, offering the unique ability to transcend the default Unity experience and forge a highly optimized, project-specific development environment. This comprehensive guide has meticulously walked through every essential facet of extending the Unity editor, from fundamental concepts to advanced implementation techniques. We initiated our exploration by elucidating what Editor Scripting entails—the practice of writing C# code that customizes and enhances the Unity editor itself—and underscored why it's vital for streamlining development. Key benefits such as workflow automation, enhanced productivity, improved designer experiences, enforcement of project standards, and robust debugging capabilities were highlighted, establishing editor scripting as a critical component for modern game development teams. The crucial distinction between editor scripts (editor-only execution, stored in Editor folders) and runtime scripts was emphasized.

A substantial part of our journey focused on the bedrock of custom interfaces: understanding the . We meticulously demonstrated how to override Unity's default inspectors for , introducing the fundamental structure of an Editor script, the significance of the [CustomEditor] attribute, and the pivotal role of OnInspectorGUI(). The guide then delved into harnessing the power of . We differentiated between EditorGUILayout's automatic layout simplicity and EditorGUI's fine-grained control, providing extensive examples of common UI elements like fields, buttons, sliders, and toggle switches. Crucial best practices such as consistently using serializedObject.Update() and serializedObject.ApplyModifiedProperties() for robust data handling, undo/redo, and prefab overrides were emphasized.

Building upon custom inspectors, we advanced to implementing custom Editor Windows for powerful project-wide tools. This section detailed how to create entirely new, dockable windows using the EditorWindow class, integrating them via the [MenuItem] attribute. The guide covered essential lifecycle methods like OnEnable() and OnGUI(), the importance of EditorPrefs for persistent window settings, and the critical integration with Unity's Undo system and EditorSceneManager for safe scene modifications. Following this, we explored using . We demonstrated how to create bespoke UI for custom [System.Serializable] classes/structs or fields decorated with custom attributes, highlighting the power of CustomPropertyDrawer, GetPropertyHeight(), OnGUI(), and the indispensable EditorGUI.PropertyScope for maintaining proper layout and functionality.

The guide then shifted focus to managing asset post-processors to automate import settings and enforce project standards. We walked through the AssetPostprocessor class and its key callback methods (OnPreprocessTexture, OnPostprocessModel, OnPostprocessAllAssets), illustrating how to automatically configure imported assets like textures, models, and audio clips to maintain consistency and save significant manual effort. Finally, we consolidated our learning by outlining best practices for creating maintainable and performant editor scripts. This included rigorous adherence to Editor folder structuring, consistent use of SerializedObject and SerializedProperty, caching references, smart use of EditorGUI.BeginChangeCheck(), judicious handling of direct object modifications with Undo and EditorUtility.SetDirty(), and strategies for avoiding performance bottlenecks in OnGUI() and asset processing. The guide concluded with an invaluable troubleshooting section, empowering developers to diagnose and resolve common editor scripting issues, ranging from compilation errors and UI layout problems to save failures and performance lags.

By diligently applying the extensive principles, practical code examples, and robust methodologies detailed in this step-by-step guide, you are now exceptionally well-equipped to confidently design, implement, and maintain professional-grade Unity Editor extensions. This mastery will enable you to significantly streamline your development process, empower your team with intuitive tools, enforce project standards effortlessly, and ultimately, accelerate the creation of your next groundbreaking game, transforming your Unity editor into a truly bespoke and efficient powerhouse.

Search This Blog

TheGameDev