Skip to main content

🖥️ Unity Interface & Navigation Basics

This page provides an overview of the Unity Editor layout and the fundamental controls to navigate the 3D space.

1. The Editor Layout​

The Unity interface is divided into several key panels. Understanding what each window does is crucial for development.

Capture d’écran 2026-02-13 à 13 11 44

📍 A. Hierarchy (Left Panel)​

  • Function: Lists every Game Object currently present in the active scene.
  • Usage: Use this to select objects, parent them to one another (drag and drop), or organize your scene structure.
  • Key Concept: If an object is not in the Hierarchy, it is not in the level.

🎬 B. Scene View & Game View (Center)​

This is your main visual workspace, usually tabbed at the top:

  • Scene View: The "Director's view." You can fly around, select objects, move them, and edit the world freely.
  • Game View: The "Player's view." This renders what the main camera sees. It represents the final look of the game.

🛠️ C. Inspector (Right Panel)​

  • Function: Displays the detailed properties of the currently selected object.
  • Usage: This is where you configure Components. You can change position, rotation, assign scripts, modify public variables, and set tags/layers.

📂 D. Project Window (Bottom)​

  • Function: The file explorer for your entire project (Assets folder).
  • Usage: Contains all source files: Scripts, Models, Textures, Prefabs, and Materials.
  • Action: To use an asset, drag it from here into the Scene View or Hierarchy.

📟 E. Console (Bottom Tab)​

  • Function: System output log.
  • Usage:
    • ⚪ Logs: General info (Debug.Log).
    • ⚠️ Warnings: Non-critical issues.
    • 🛑 Errors: Critical issues that prevent the game from running or compiling.

2. Navigating the 3D View (Scene View)​

To build your scene, you need to move the camera comfortably.

🖱️ Mouse Controls​

ActionWindows / LinuxmacOS
Orbit (Rotate around)Alt + Left Click + DragOption + Left Click + Drag
Pan (Move sideways)Middle Mouse Click + DragOption + Command + Left Click
ZoomMouse WheelMouse Wheel / Trackpad Scroll

✈️ Fly Mode (First Person Style)​

This is the most efficient way to move large distances.

  1. Hold Right Click inside the Scene View (your cursor turns into an eye 👁️).
  2. Use W, A, S, D (or Z, Q, S, D) to fly.
  3. Use Q and E to move Up and Down.

🎯 Focus Object​

If you get lost or want to center the camera on a specific object:

  1. Select the object in the Hierarchy.
  2. Press F on your keyboard.
  3. The camera will instantly zoom and focus on that object.

3. Play Mode Warning​

[!CAUTION] Changes made during Play Mode are NOT SAVED!

When you press the ▶️ Play button at the top to test the game, the editor enters "Play Mode". Any modification (changing values, moving objects) will be reset as soon as you stop the game.

Always stop Play Mode before making permanent changes.