How do I properly duplicate an object in a editor script?

Question

Hi.

I am writing an editor script that lets you duplicate what you have selected around even easier than with ctrl+d.

But when I use the following code on a barrel I get "barrel(Clone)" as a result and the newly created object is not a prefab.

 GameObject go = Object.Instantiate(transform.gameObject, transform.position, transform.rotation) as GameObject;

What I am basically after is the exact code behind the ctrl+d functionality in the Unity editor.

Answer 1

Best Answer

Answer by thylaxene · Mar 29, 2012 at 07:38 AM

Or if you really want recreate the way the Editor duplicates things try this (Unity 3.5).

 [MenuItem("Extra/Duplicate Selected")]
     public static void DuplicateSelected ()
     {
         Object prefabRoot = PrefabUtility.GetPrefabParent (Selection.activeGameObject);
         
         if (prefabRoot != null)
             PrefabUtility.InstantiatePrefab (prefabRoot);
         else
             Instantiate (Selection.activeGameObject);
     }

Add comment · Show 5 · Share

lokesh.sehgal · Nov 14, 2012 at 02:38 PM 0

Share

thylaxene: I tried this but got the following error: The type or namespace name `$$anonymous$$enuItem' could not be found

Please help me!

Ben Blaut · Nov 14, 2012 at 09:38 PM 1

Share

But how would you mimic ctrl + d on prefabs in the "Project" view?

Skjalg · Nov 15, 2012 at 10:03 AM 0

Share

lokesh: You need to have using UnityEditor at the top of your script.

Ben: I have no idea.

Ben Blaut · Nov 15, 2012 at 06:07 PM 2

Share

Figured it out...

 AssetDatabase.CopyAsset(oldPath, newPath);
 AssetDatabase.Refresh();

KillMobil · Jan 08, 2015 at 01:38 PM 1

Share

While this is correct its not 100% similar to the edit "Edit/Duplicate" If you try to duplicate something from with in the prefab it will find its root and duplicate that.

The Best thing is to invoke the edit window function with the code below:

 EditorWindow.focusedWindow.SendEvent (EditorGUIUtility.CommandEvent ("Duplicate"));

is also suggest you focus on the Sceneview first cause you could accidentally duplicate folder and scenes and then you will have something like this.

 SceneView.lastActiveSceneView.Focus ();
                 EditorWindow.focusedWindow.SendEvent (EditorGUIUtility.CommandEvent ("Duplicate"));

Answer 2

Answer by Sbd · Sep 20, 2011 at 09:57 AM

This will do the same as pressing ctrl + d

 [MenuItem("Extra/Duplicate Selected Prefab")]
 public static void DuplicateSelectedPrefab()
 {
     Object prefabRoot = EditorUtility.GetPrefabParent(Selection.activeGameObject);
     EditorUtility.InstantiatePrefab(prefabRoot);
 }

Add comment · Share

Answer 3

Updating because GetPrefabParent has been deprecated around 2019.1 (plus some extra functionality)

This works on the scene view only - if you want to duplicate in the project (ie. assets) see Ben Blaut's comment

         // Map it to Alt + D
         [UnityEditor.MenuItem("GaneObject/Duplicate &D", false, 0)]
         public static void Duplicate()
         {
             List<UnityEngine.Object> clones = new List<UnityEngine.Object>();
 
             foreach (GameObject o in Selection.gameObjects)
             {
                 if (!o.transform) continue; // Scene view
                 GameObject clone;
 
                 GameObject prefab = PrefabUtility.GetCorrespondingObjectFromSource(o);
                 if (prefab != null)
                     clone = PrefabUtility.InstantiatePrefab(prefab, o.transform.parent) as GameObject;
                 else
                     clone = UnityEngine.Object.Instantiate(o, o.transform.parent);
 
                 if (clone == null) continue;
 
                 // Do any operations you want on to the cloned object (otherwise this function behaves just like Ctrl+D
                 // <---- CUSTOM LOGIC BEGIN ----> 
 
                 // ie. If you want to randomize scale / rotation you can do so here
                 // clone.transform.localScale = ;
                 // clone.transform.rotation = ;
 
                 // <---- CUSTOM LOGIC END ----> 
 
                 clones.Add(clone);
 
                 // Register the duplicated objects to be able to undo
                 Undo.RegisterCreatedObjectUndo(clone, "Duplicate");
             }
 
             if (clones.Count == 0) return;
 
             // Select the duplicated objects
             Selection.objects = clones.ToArray();
         }

How do I properly duplicate an object in a editor script?

3 Replies

Your answer

Follow this Question

Related Questions