Using components
Components are the functional pieces of every GameObject. Components contain properties which you can edit to define the behavior of the component for a GameObject. For more information on the relationship between components and GameObjects, see 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
See in Glossary.
A GameObject is a container for many components. All GameObjects have a Transform component. This is because the Transform dictates the GameObject’s location, rotation, and scale. To create an empty GameObject, select GameObject > Create Empty. When you select the new GameObject, the Inspector displays the Transform component with default values.
The 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
See in Glossary shows which components are attached to the selected GameObject. You can also use the Inspector to change the properties of any component (including scripts).
Adding components
You can add components to the selected GameObject through the Component menu. To add a Rigidbody component, select the GameObject and select Component > Physics > Rigidbody from the menu. The Inspector displays the Rigidbody’s properties. If you press Play while you have the empty GameObject selected, the Y position of the GameObject’s transform decreases. This is because the physics system in Unity causes the GameObject to fall under gravity.
You can also add components in the Component browser. To open the Component browser, select Add Component in the Inspector.
You can navigate the components by category in the browser or use the search box to locate components by name.
You can attach any number or combination of components to a single GameObject. Some components work best in combination with others. For example, the Rigidbody works with a ColliderAn invisible shape that is used to handle physical collisions for an object. A collider doesn’t need to be exactly the same shape as the object’s mesh - a rough approximation is often more efficient and indistinguishable in gameplay. More info
See in Glossary.
For more information about a particular component, see the relevant Component reference page. You can also access the reference page for a component from Unity if you select the help icon (?) on the component’s header in the Inspector.
Editing components
When you attach a component to a GameObject, the component’s properties contain default values. You can edit these values in the Editor while you build a game, or in scriptsA piece of code that allows you to create your own Components, trigger game events, modify Component properties over time and respond to user input in any way you like. More info
See in Glossary when you run the game.
There are two main types of properties: values and references.
You can edit value properties in the Inspector. There are various types of values, including text, toggles and dropdowns.
For reference properties, you can drag a file from the Project view into the property, or use the object picker (circle icon) on the property. Reference properties can reference other types of components, GameObjects, or assets.
For more information about the different property types, see Editing Properties.
The image below shows a GameObject with an Audio SourceA component which plays back an Audio Clip in the scene to an audio listener or through an audio mixer. More info
See in Glossary component. The values of the Audio Source in the Inspector show how you can adjust aspects of a component to suit your project.
Component context menu commands
Right click on a component for the context menu with several useful commands.
The same commands are also available from the kebab menu (⋮) in the top-right of the component panel in the Inspector window.
The table below describes the commands available so you can adjust your components:
| Command: | Description: |
|---|---|
| Reset | Restores the values the component’s properties had before the most recent editing session. |
| Remove Component | Removes the component from the GameObject. Note: Some combinations of components depend on each other (Hinge JointA joint that groups together two Rigidbody components, constraining them to move like they are connected by a hinge. It is perfect for doors, but can also be used to model chains, pendulums and so on. More info See in Glossary only works when attached to a RigidbodyA component that allows a GameObject to be affected by simulated gravity and other forces. More info See in Glossary); a warning message is displayed if you try to remove components that others depend on. |
| Move Up | Moves the component up in the Inspector. You can also drag and drop components in the Inspector to reorder them. |
| Move Down | Moves the component down in the Inspector. |
| Copy Component | Copies the type and current property settings of a component. |
| Paste Component As New | Pastes the copies property settings of a component as a new component. |
| Paste Component Values | Pastes the copied property settings of a component into another component of the same type. |
Testing properties
In Play Mode, you can change properties of a component in the Inspector. This lets you see how different values for a property affect gameplay. For example, you can experiment with different heights of jumping. If you create a Jump Height property in a script, you can enter Play Mode, change the value, and press the jump button to see what happens. Then, without exiting Play Mode, you can change it again and see the results within seconds. When you exit Play Mode, the properties revert to their pre-Play Mode values. With this workflow, you can experiment, adjust, and refine your gameplay in less time.