Instantiate a prefab through code in C#.

Question

Is there a way to instantiate a prefab, in code through C#, but without actually having to create a public variable of Type GameObject and dragging and dropping a prefab from the project assets into the inspector?

I need to get a reference to an asset, and then instantiate it through code, but I don't know how to do that exactly. I have a game-manager class, which controls the way object are spawned and destroyed, with a total so far of over 20 types of prefabs. It would be far less messy If I could get a reference to them through code than having 20+ public variables in the inspector.

Answer 1

Best Answer

Answer by Ashkan_gc · Feb 23, 2010 at 01:04 PM

you can use resource folders. create a folder called resources and put all assets that you want to get reference to them by their names, in that folder. use the Load method to load resources. example let's say you have a prefab inside a resource folder called enemy and you want to instantiate it.

var instance : GameObject = Instantiate(Resources.Load("enemy"));

you can create asset bundles of your prefabs and put them inside your game folder too. then call www("file:/path") and get a reference to them and instantiate them. there is another way too. you can create a class that keeps a list of all prefabs in a dictionary. the name of those prefabs in the dictionary could be your key and the real GameObject reference could be the value.

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Cyclops · Mar 12, 2010 at 04:24 PM 0

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Minor note: Asset Bundles are Pro-only.

JoelAtMoodkie · Apr 24, 2010 at 08:13 PM 0

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You've just saved me A LOT of time with this method, Ashkan :D

Ashkan_gc · Apr 25, 2010 at 05:45 AM 0

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your welcome man!

sp00ks · Apr 24, 2012 at 06:27 PM 0

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Thanks a bunch! I really only like using the editor for testing AI, controls that sort of thing. I find building a level kind of a pain, and would rather load and place everything from code. This is great!

brimock · Nov 08, 2013 at 10:23 PM 4

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Just keep in mind the following:

"In Unity you usually don't use path names to access assets, ins$$anonymous$$d you expose a reference to an asset by declaring a member-variable, and then assign it in the inspector. When using this technique Unity can automatically calculate which assets are used when building a player. This radically minimizes the size of your players to the assets that you actually use in the built game. When you place assets in "Resources" folders this can not be done, thus all assets in the "Resources" folders will be included in a build."

http://docs.unity3d.com/Documentation/ScriptReference/Resources.html

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Answer 2

Answer by user-3794 (google) · Sep 11, 2010 at 09:28 PM

Slight update to Ashkan's totally correct answer (this time in C#)

Create a folder called "Resources"

GameObject monster = (GameObject)Instantiate(Resources.Load("enemy"));

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BerggreenDK · Mar 28, 2014 at 12:27 AM 0

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You dont need to instantiate immidiately. Rather store it in a variable for future spawns...

Answer 3

Answer by 1337GameDev · May 20, 2012 at 07:08 AM

Remember to keep the resources folders organized. You can created a Resources folder anywhere in assets folder, (doesnt have to be a base folder in assets). So you can still have folders to organize your prefabs and then put a Resources folder in the unique folder and put your prefab in that.

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BerggreenDK · Mar 28, 2014 at 01:52 PM 1

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@1337GameDev - nice, didnt know that one. Thanks for sharing.

atr0phy · Mar 31, 2015 at 04:21 AM 0

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Fairly irrelevant to OP's question.

Answer 4

Answer by Quatum1000 · Jul 30, 2017 at 02:23 AM

If you like to have a real blue linked prefab created, you should use:

GameObject go = PrefabUtility.InstantiatePrefab(Resources.Load("NameOfPrefab")) as GameObject;

or

public GameObject prefab;
GameObject go = PrefabUtility.InstantiatePrefab(prefab) as GameObject;

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unity_WPzfLehdpNGaDQ · Aug 20, 2019 at 08:05 AM 0

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That's what I was looking for! Thx man!

Answer 5

Answer by Digital_Shadow · Dec 14, 2016 at 03:16 PM

Got mine to work by creating folder in assests called "Resources", placing all prefab objects there, and using this c# code:

 GameObject foo = GameObject.Instantiate((GameObject)Resources.Load("prefabName"));

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Instantiate a prefab through code in C#.

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