Version: Unity 6 (6000.0)
Language : English
Capturing frame rate
Introduction to instantiating prefabs

Instantiating prefabs at runtime

PrefabsAn asset type that allows you to store a GameObject complete with components and properties. The prefab acts as a template from which you can create new object instances in the scene. More info
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are useful when you want to instantiate complicated GameObjectsThe fundamental object in Unity scenes, which can represent characters, props, scenery, cameras, waypoints, and more. A GameObject’s functionality is defined by the Components attached to it. More info
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or collections of GameObjects at runtime. Compared with creating GameObjects from scratch using code, instantiating prefabs using code has many advantages because you can:

  • Instantiate a prefab using one line of code. Creating equivalent GameObjects from scratch requires many more lines of code.

  • Set up, test, and modify the prefab quickly and easily using the SceneA Scene contains the environments and menus of your game. Think of each unique Scene file as a unique level. In each Scene, you place your environments, obstacles, and decorations, essentially designing and building your game in pieces. More info
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    view
    , Hierarchy, and InspectorA Unity window that displays information about the currently selected GameObject, asset or project settings, allowing you to inspect and edit the values. More info
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    windows.

  • Change which prefab is instantiated without changing the code. You can make a simple rocket into a super-charged rocket, without any code changes.

Note: You can download a Unity Project containing all the examples in this section here:

InstantiatingPrefabsExamples.zip

Topic Description
Introduction to instantiating prefabs Introductory context and common scenarios in which instantiating prefabs is useful.
Build a wall with prefabs Use prefabs to instantiate several copies of a block prefab to construct a wall.
Instantiating projectiles and explosions Use prefabs to instantiate exploding projectiles.
Simulating character destruction Use prefabs to replace an intact version of an object with a wreck to visualize object destruction.

Additional resources

Capturing frame rate
Introduction to instantiating prefabs