Imported assets as prefabs already? Which asset to use?

Unity Engine
1

When I import assets from XSI via the FBX format they come into Unity as prefabs (I think?) with a poly mesh residing in it. I’ve attached an image of it in the Project view.

Could someone tell me which, the prefab or the mesh, I should be dragging into my scenes? Is there any particular drawback to using one or the other? They both appear to work fine but I’d just like to make sure I’m doing things correctly.

Any advice appreciated.

2

The mesh itself is just data that contains the vertices, triangles, uvs, … . Unity always needs a game object with mesh filter and mesh renderer components to visualize a mesh. So if Unity creates that for you if you drag the mesh, it makes no difference.

3

Right I see. Thanks for your help Dantus.