# 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**. This is followed by a description on how to edit one single **Prefab Instance**. Finally, how to unpack **Prefabs** is explained.

## 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://4267723012-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FOEts3pBau6LMamSYhGZp%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-d8558d3ace7f094308169e4a04781d9f8c5e9c09%2Fcreatingprefabimage1.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://4267723012-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FOEts3pBau6LMamSYhGZp%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-0d615932d21be9db1e226a03a3b458cd7c8d8520%2Fdupliprefabs.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**. It is also possible to right-click on the **Prefab** in the **Scene Outliner** and click the `Edit Prefab` button.

![Editing Prefab from Scene Outliner.](https://4267723012-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FOEts3pBau6LMamSYhGZp%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-02f98ff17081d3c5f7c9c755daad2834bb35e733%2Feditprefabexample.png?alt=media)

![Editing the Prefab Asset.](https://4267723012-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FOEts3pBau6LMamSYhGZp%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-152f5714e8a90ec6f0b6f17be8ca26bc758fd3ae%2Fcreatingprefabimage3.gif?alt=media)

The **Prefab** **View** is indicated by a purple circle. Changes made here affect all instances of the **Prefab**.

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://4267723012-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FOEts3pBau6LMamSYhGZp%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-69498db20fa0cd22394664fa5409ac501454aa63%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://4267723012-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FOEts3pBau6LMamSYhGZp%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-0e2057d565c3e5d3663e2bf2060f625bf4a7ceec%2Fprefabinstanceoverride.gif?alt=media)

## Unpacking a Prefab

A **Prefab** can be unpacked, meaning that it can be taken from its **Prefab** form and converted back into a normal **Object**, or **Objects**. If a **Prefab** contained multiple **Objects**, they will become separated and are treated as individual again. To unpack a **Prefab**, simply right-click on it in the **Scene Outliner** and click `Unpack prefab`.

![Unpacking a Prefab.](https://4267723012-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FOEts3pBau6LMamSYhGZp%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-8b44a0dc2862db3c3266046d65c5167a897671be%2Funpackprefabexample.gif?alt=media)

When unpacked, the **Objects** of a **Prefab** will be moved to the same level in the **Scene Hierarchy** that the **Prefab** was on. This means that the *parent* of the **Prefab** is now the *parent* of the **Objects** and not the **Prefab**. The **Prefab Instance** is also deleted.

Any edits given to **Objects** of a **Prefab** via overrides remain once unpacked.