Create a GameObject with a scale other than the default

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 63 views

Introduction

As a Unity developer, you may have encountered a frustrating issue where you cannot adjust the transform of a GameObject after converting it into a prefab. This problem can be particularly annoying when you have applied a specific scale to the GameObject before turning it into a prefab, and you want to make adjustments to it later on. In this article, we will delve into the details of this issue, explore the possible causes, and provide potential solutions to help you overcome this problem.

Describe the Bug

The issue at hand is that after converting a GameObject to a prefab, the transform controls are no longer accessible. This means that you cannot adjust the scale, position, or rotation of the GameObject within the Unity Editor. However, when you clone the prefab, the original scale is still applied, which can be confusing and frustrating.

Why is this a problem?

The main issue here is that the scale is still set, but it is no longer adjustable. This can lead to a situation where you have to manually edit the .prefab file to make changes to the scale. This is not only time-consuming but also error-prone, as you may accidentally introduce bugs or inconsistencies into your code.

To Reproduce

To reproduce this issue, follow these steps:

Create a GameObject with a scale other than the default: Create a new GameObject in your Unity scene and apply a scale to it. For example, you can set the scale to 2, 2, 2.
Turn the GameObject into a prefab: Select the GameObject and go to Window > Asset > Create > Prefab. This will convert the GameObject into a prefab.
You can no longer adjust the scale: After converting the GameObject into a prefab, you will no longer be able to adjust the scale within the Unity Editor.
When you clone the object, the scale from before is applied: When you clone the prefab, the original scale is still applied, which can be confusing and frustrating.

Expected Behavior

The expected behavior in this scenario is either to allow us to adjust the scale or to reset the scale to 1, 1, 1 when creating a prefab from a GameObject. This would make it easier to make adjustments to the scale without having to manually edit the .prefab file.

Possible Causes

There are several possible causes for this issue:

Prefab settings: The prefab settings may be set to not allow adjustments to the scale. You can check the prefab settings by selecting the prefab and going to Window > Asset > Prefab > Settings.
Component settings: The component settings may be set to not allow adjustments to the scale. You can check the component settings by selecting the GameObject and going to Component > Transform > Settings.
Script settings: The script settings may be set to not allow adjustments to the scale. You can check the script settings by selecting the GameObject and going to Component > Script > Settings.

Solutions

Here are some potential solutions to help you overcome this problem:

Use a different prefab settings: You can try using a different prefab settings to see if it allows adjustments to the scale.
Use a different component settings: You can try using a different component settings to see if it allows adjustments to the scale.
Use a different script settings: You can try using a different script settings to see if it allows adjustments to the scale.
Manually edit the .prefab file: As a last resort, you can manually edit the .prefab file to make changes to the scale.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the issue of not being able to adjust the transform of a GameObject after converting it into a prefab is a frustrating problem that can be caused by various factors. By understanding the possible causes and exploring potential solutions, you can overcome this problem and make adjustments to the scale without having to manually edit the .prefab file.

Additional Tips

Here are some additional tips to help you avoid this issue in the future:

Always check the prefab settings: Before converting a GameObject into a prefab, always check the prefab settings to make sure that adjustments to the scale are allowed.
Always check the component settings: Before converting a GameObject into a prefab, always check the component settings to make sure that adjustments to the scale are allowed.
Always check the script settings: Before converting a GameObject into a prefab, always check the script settings to make sure that adjustments to the scale are allowed.

Introduction

As a Unity developer, you may have encountered a frustrating issue where you cannot adjust the transform of a GameObject after converting it into a prefab. In our previous article, we explored the possible causes and potential solutions to help you overcome this problem. In this article, we will provide a Q&A section to help you better understand the issue and find a solution that works for you.

Q: What is the main issue with converting a GameObject into a prefab?

A: The main issue is that the transform controls are no longer accessible after converting a GameObject into a prefab. This means that you cannot adjust the scale, position, or rotation of the GameObject within the Unity Editor.

Q: Why is the scale still set after converting a GameObject into a prefab?

A: The scale is still set because it is a property of the GameObject, and when you convert it into a prefab, the property is preserved. However, the transform controls are no longer accessible, making it difficult to adjust the scale.

Q: Can I adjust the scale of a GameObject after converting it into a prefab?

A: No, you cannot adjust the scale of a GameObject after converting it into a prefab. However, you can manually edit the .prefab file to make changes to the scale.

Q: Why can't I adjust the scale of a GameObject after converting it into a prefab?

A: There are several reasons why you may not be able to adjust the scale of a GameObject after converting it into a prefab. These include:

Prefab settings: The prefab settings may be set to not allow adjustments to the scale.
Component settings: The component settings may be set to not allow adjustments to the scale.
Script settings: The script settings may be set to not allow adjustments to the scale.

Q: How can I adjust the scale of a GameObject after converting it into a prefab?

A: To adjust the scale of a GameObject after converting it into a prefab, you can manually edit the .prefab file. This involves opening the .prefab file in a text editor and making changes to the scale property.

Q: What are the potential consequences of not being able to adjust the scale of a GameObject after converting it into a prefab?

A: The potential consequences of not being able to adjust the scale of a GameObject after converting it into a prefab include:

Inconsistent scaling: If you have multiple GameObjects with different scales, it can be difficult to maintain consistent scaling across the scene.
Difficulty with animation: If you have animations that rely on specific scaling, it can be difficult to adjust the scale of a GameObject after converting it into a prefab.
Increased complexity: If you have to manually edit the .prefab file to make changes to the scale, it can increase the complexity of your project.

Q: How can I avoid this issue in the future?

A: To avoid this issue in the future, you can:

Always check the prefab settings: Before converting a GameObject into a prefab, always check the prefab settings to make sure that adjustments to the scale are allowed.
Always check the component settings: Before converting a GameObject into a prefab, always check the component settings to make sure that adjustments to the scale are allowed.
Always check the script settings: Before converting a GameObject into a prefab, always check the script settings to make sure that adjustments to the scale are allowed.

Q: What are some best practices for working with prefabs in Unity?

A: Some best practices for working with prefabs in Unity include:

Use prefabs for reusable assets: Use prefabs for assets that you want to reuse across multiple scenes.
Use prefab variants: Use prefab variants to create different versions of a prefab with different properties.
Use prefab instances: Use prefab instances to create multiple instances of a prefab with different properties.

By following these best practices and understanding the potential consequences of not being able to adjust the scale of a GameObject after converting it into a prefab, you can avoid this issue and create more efficient and effective projects in Unity.