Unity Editor Layout and Windows
Unity's workspace is made from dockable windows. The most important beginner windows are the Hierarchy, Scene, Game, Inspector, Project, and Console. Each answers a different question about the project.
A useful layout keeps the Scene view large while leaving scene objects, selected-object settings, project assets, and errors within easy reach.
Begin with Unity's Default layout, then make only the changes that improve the task in front of you.
- Select Default from the editor's Layout dropdown.
- Keep the Hierarchy on the left, Scene in the centre, and Inspector on the right.
- Keep Project and Console tabbed along the bottom.
- Save the arrangement from Layout > Save Layout.
Open a Creator Companion project with its Open Project control so it uses the Unity version associated with that project. In Unity, keep the Console and the VRChat SDK Control Panel available while validating, testing, or uploading content.
The Main Editor Areas
| Area | What it contains | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Toolbar | Play controls, services, account controls, and the Layout menu | Starting or stopping Play Mode and switching layouts |
| Hierarchy | Every GameObject in the current scene or loaded scenes | Selecting, renaming, parenting, and organizing scene objects |
| Scene view | The editable view of the scene | Selecting and positioning GameObjects |
| Game view | Output from cameras while editing or running the project | Previewing resolution, camera output, Play Mode, or ClientSim |
| Inspector | Properties for the selected GameObject, component, asset, or setting | Editing values, references, materials, and component settings |
| Project window | Files and folders stored in the Unity project | Finding scenes, prefabs, scripts, textures, audio, and materials |
| Console | Errors, warnings, logs, and compiler messages | Diagnosing scripts, packages, imports, and editor tools |
| Status bar | Current editor activity and status indicators | Watching imports, compilation, background tasks, and notifications |
The Hierarchy represents scene instances. The Project window represents files stored in the project. A prefab asset can therefore appear in the Project window while one or more instances of it appear in the Hierarchy.
Hierarchy: Objects in the Open Scene
The Hierarchy lists every GameObject in the current scene, including cameras, lights, models, prefab instances, and empty parent objects.
Use it when you need to:
- Select an object that is difficult to click in the Scene view.
- Rename or duplicate a scene object.
- Create parent-child relationships.
- Check whether an object is active, hidden, or protected from Scene selection.
- Inspect more than one loaded scene.
The Hierarchy does not show every asset in the project. Use the Project window for files that have not been placed in the current scene.
Scene and Game Views
The Scene view is the editor workspace where you select and manipulate GameObjects. It uses an editor-only Scene Camera.
The Game view displays the output from cameras in the project. During Play Mode it can show the running project, including ClientSim when it is enabled in a VRChat world project.
| Question | Window |
|---|---|
| Where is this object in the scene? | Hierarchy and Scene view |
| What does the selected object contain? | Inspector |
| What will a camera display? | Game view |
| Does the world behave correctly for a player? | Game view with ClientSim, then VRChat Build & Test |
Maximizing the Scene or Game view can help with detailed work. Right-click its tab and select Maximize, then restore it when you need the surrounding windows again.
Inspector: Properties of the Selection
The Inspector displays and edits properties for GameObjects, components, assets, materials, Project Settings, and Preferences.
The padlock in the Inspector keeps it focused on the current selection. This is useful when dragging references from the Project window, but it can also make the Inspector appear stuck.
Unity can open more than one Inspector:
- Select Window > General > Inspector to open another Inspector.
- Lock one Inspector to an important object or asset.
- Leave the other unlocked so it follows the current selection.
This can help when connecting a world system to several referenced objects.
Project Window: Files in the Project
The Project window is the main browser for Unity assets and project files.
Useful controls include:
| Control | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Folder tree | Navigate the project's folder structure |
| Asset pane | View the contents of the selected folder |
| Search field | Filter assets by name, type, or label |
| One Column Layout | Show folders and assets in one hierarchical list |
| Two Column Layout | Show the folder tree beside asset contents and previews |
| Icon-size slider | Switch between larger thumbnails and a compact list |
| Favorites | Keep folders or saved searches easy to reach |
Move, rename, and delete project assets from within Unity so Unity can keep their accompanying .meta files synchronized.
Console: Errors, Warnings, and Logs
Open the Console from Window > General > Console. Its message counters let you show or hide logs, warnings, and errors.
| Console control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Clear | Removes generated messages while compiler errors remain until fixed |
| Collapse | Groups repeated copies of the same message |
| Clear on Play | Clears generated messages when Play Mode starts |
| Clear on Build | Clears generated messages when a build starts |
| Clear on Recompile | Clears generated messages when scripts recompile |
| Error Pause | Pauses Play Mode when a script calls Debug.LogError |
| Search | Filters visible messages |
Select an error to read its details and stack trace. Double-clicking a message that identifies a script location can open the relevant file and line in the configured code editor.
Do not treat Clear as a fix. If a compiler or package error returns, use the message text and stack trace to identify its source.
Dock, Tab, Float, and Resize Windows
Drag a window by its tab:
- Drop it in a tab area to place it beside existing tabs.
- Drop it in a highlighted dock zone to create a new split.
- Drag it outside the main editor to create a floating window.
- Drag the divider between docked windows to resize them.
Right-click a tab for options such as Maximize and Close Tab. If there are more tabs than the tab area can display, use the tab navigation arrows to reveal the hidden tabs.
Before releasing a dragged tab, check the highlight. A tab-area highlight creates another tab; an edge highlight creates a new split.
Save and Restore Layouts
After arranging the workspace:
- Open the Layout dropdown in the Unity toolbar.
- Select Save Layout.
- Give the layout a descriptive name.
- Select that saved layout later to restore it.
Saved layouts are useful for different tasks:
| Layout | Useful arrangement |
|---|---|
| World building | Large Scene view, visible Hierarchy and Inspector, Project window nearby |
| Avatar setup | Large Inspector, Hierarchy visible, Project and Console tabbed below |
| Debugging | Large Console, Inspector visible, Scene and Game views still accessible |
| UI editing | Scene and Game views easy to compare, Inspector wide enough for RectTransform fields |
Use Default from the Layout dropdown when the workspace has become difficult to recover manually.
Manage Scene View Overlays
Scene tools in Unity 2022.3 are displayed as configurable overlays inside the Scene view. Press the backtick key to open the Overlays menu.
From that menu you can:
- Show or hide an overlay.
- Move and dock overlays within the Scene view.
- Change an overlay between panel, horizontal, and vertical layouts.
- Save, switch, import, or export overlay configurations.
Overlay configurations are also captured when you save the editor layout. If transform tools, orientation controls, or View Options appear to be missing, check the Overlays menu before resetting the entire workspace.
Reopen a Missing Window
Core windows are available from Window > General:
| Missing window | Menu path |
|---|---|
| Hierarchy | Window > General > Hierarchy |
| Inspector | Window > General > Inspector |
| Project | Window > General > Project |
| Console | Window > General > Console |
| Scene | Window > General > Scene |
| Game | Window > General > Game |
Some packages add their own menu entries. The VRChat SDK Control Panel is available from VRChat SDK > Show Control Panel when the Worlds or Avatars SDK is loaded correctly.
A VRChat Workspace
A practical VRChat layout keeps these areas accessible:
| Window | VRChat use |
|---|---|
| Hierarchy | World systems, avatar roots, descriptors, spawn objects, and prefab instances |
| Inspector | Descriptor settings, component fields, materials, and object references |
| Project | Scenes, prefabs, Udon scripts, shaders, textures, and audio |
| Console | Compile, package, import, shader, UdonSharp, and SDK messages |
| VRChat SDK Control Panel | Authentication, validation, local testing, builds, and uploads |
| Game view | ClientSim and Play Mode testing |
Resolve relevant red Console errors before relying on SDK validation or building. A compile failure can prevent editor tools and custom components from loading correctly.
Troubleshooting
A window disappeared
Reopen it from Window > General. It may also be tabbed behind another window or placed off-screen in a floating editor window.
The Inspector does not follow my selection
Check the padlock in the Inspector. Unlock it so the window updates when you select a different GameObject or asset.
The Scene view tools or orientation controls are missing
Move the pointer over the Scene view and press the backtick key to open the Overlays menu. Re-enable the hidden overlay or load a known overlay preset.
I docked a window in the wrong place
Drag it again by the tab and watch the highlighted destination before releasing it. Drop in a tab area for another tab or on a dock zone for a new split.
The entire layout is difficult to recover
Select Default from the Layout dropdown, then reopen any package-specific windows you still need. Save a custom layout after rebuilding the workspace.
The VRChat SDK Control Panel is missing
Check the Console for compilation or package errors and confirm that the project contains the appropriate VRChat SDK package. When loaded, open the panel from VRChat SDK > Show Control Panel.
Before You Finish
- Keep the Scene view large enough for accurate placement.
- Keep the Console accessible rather than relying only on its status counter.
- Save the layout after arranging the windows and Scene overlays.
- Unlock Inspectors that should follow the current selection.
- Use Default layout recovery before changing project files or reinstalling packages.
- Test VRChat behaviour in ClientSim and the VRChat client, not only in the editor layout.
Continue Learning
- Navigating Scene View and Camera Controls
- Hierarchy, GameObjects, and Components
- Inspector Basics and Workflows
- Organize Unity Editor Windows and Saved Layouts
- Unity Shortcuts for VRChat Creators
- Fix Unity's Failed to Load Window Layout Error
Official References
- Unity: The main editor windows
- Unity: Customizing the workspace
- Unity Hierarchy window
- Unity Scene view
- Unity Inspector window
- Unity Project window
- Unity Console window
- Unity Overlays
- VRChat Creator Companion
- VRChat Creator Companion: Getting Started
Next Step
Restore the Default layout, arrange the six core windows for your current task, open the Console and VRChat SDK Control Panel, then save the workspace under a clear layout name.
