Instantiate using class name

Unity Engine
1

So the current practice in Unity is to create a public variable exposed to the editor which references a Prefab from the project panel.

Instantiate is then used to create a new object of this type.

public Transform myPrefab;
...
GameObject myObject;
myObject = (GameObject)MonoBehaviour.Instantiate(myPrefab, new Vector3(0,0,0), Quaternion.identity);

I understand that this gives you the ability to change the prefab at any time by dragging a different one to the script.

However, is there a way to instantiate a new GameObject just using the class name? E.g:

GameObject myObject = new MyPrefab();

Or even something like:

GameObject myObject;
myObject = (GameObject)MonoBehaviour.Instantiate(GetType('MyPrefab'), new Vector3(0,0,0), Quaternion.identity);
2

You have to put the prefab you want to be able to instantiate from code in your Resources folder.

Then you can instantiate in code using

Instantiate(Resources.Load("prefabName"));

[edit: Resources folder can be anywhere in your Assets folder.]

3

Thanks. Quick follow-up question - does this externalise the resource, or is it still contained in the final build?

4

They’re still contained in the final build, in fact, putting assets in the Resources folder forces them to be included wether you use them or not.

See Unity - Scripting API: Resources for more information.

5

Great tip. Thanks.