# Creating and Using Prefabs

A **Prefab** is composed of a collection of **Objects** that can be instantiated several times. Each of these **Instances** acts like a single **Object** and can retain unique properties via overrides. The characteristics that are shared through all **Instances** of a **Prefab** are managed from the **Prefab Asset** which is generated whenever a **Prefab** is created. Changes made in the **Prefab Asset** are enacted across all **Instances**.

This section shows how to get started with **Prefabs**. It first describes how **Prefabs** can be created and next it shows how to edit the **Prefab Asset**, thus modifying all **Instances** of the **Prefab**. Finally, it describes how to edit one single **Prefab Instance**.

## Creating Prefabs

To create a **Prefab**, go to the **Scene Outliner** and select the **Objects** that will compose the **Prefab**, then right-click and click on `Make Prefab`. This will create a **Prefab** consisting of the selected **Objects** and a new **Prefab** **Asset** will be generated in the **Asset Manager**.

![Creating a Prefab.](https://926825830-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FKQhJdUBr7YQzfIwmpAZ9%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-575d0f6761a927f550ae58a7bfba4e509421a81f%2Fprefabs1_3.gif?alt=media)

New instances of the **Prefab** can be created by either duplicating the existing **Prefab** in the **Scene Outliner** or by dragging the **Prefab Asset** from the **Asset Manager** to the **Scene Outliner** or the **Scene**.

![Creating new instances of a Prefab.](https://926825830-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FKQhJdUBr7YQzfIwmpAZ9%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-7188d2bed2ae498cfc1c79c43f845bea6b662307%2Fdupliprefabs_3.gif?alt=media)

## Editing the Prefab Asset

To edit the **Prefab** **Asset**, double-click the **Prefab** in the **Asset Manager**. This will open the **Prefab View** in both the **Scene Outliner** and **Attribute Editor**. The **Prefab** **View** is indicated by a purple circle. Changes made here affect all instances of the **Prefab**.

![Editing the master Prefab.](https://926825830-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FKQhJdUBr7YQzfIwmpAZ9%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-34453ca211320451bdb0aca4df8f5b1fead40db8%2Feditmasterprefab_3.gif?alt=media)

For the changes made in the **Prefab Asset** to take effect, it is necessary to save them by pressing the `Save prefab` button on the top right corner of the **Viewport**.

![Prefab view.](https://926825830-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FKQhJdUBr7YQzfIwmpAZ9%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-014c2afc670c570abd9d4e16c7664fa74e51b412%2Fprefab-view2.png?alt=media)

## Editing a Prefab Instance

Each **Instance** of a **Prefab** can be modified on its own and this overrides the **Attributes** from the **Prefab Asset**. To do this, simply edit the **Object** in the **Prefab** instance.

![Prefab instance override.](https://926825830-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FKQhJdUBr7YQzfIwmpAZ9%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-6c9b9f7eaece0549f2de0362acbe31723e26f47b%2Fprefabinstanceoverride_3.gif?alt=media)