--- title: "Explore the Editor Interface" content_type: tutorial url: "https://learn.unity.com/pathway/unity-essentials/unit/editor-essentials/tutorial/explore-the-editor-interface-1-1?language=en" language: en container_type: pathway container_title: "Unity Essentials" container_url: "https://learn.unity.com/pathway/unity-essentials.md?language=en&version=6.3" unit_title: "Editor Essentials" unit_url: "https://learn.unity.com/pathway/unity-essentials/unit/editor-essentials?language=en&version=6.3" standalone_markdown_url: "https://learn.unity.com/tutorial/explore-the-editor-interface-1-1.md?language=en&version=6.3" previous_title: "Open the Unity Essentials project" previous_url: "https://learn.unity.com/pathway/unity-essentials/unit/editor-essentials/tutorial/open-the-unity-essentials-project?language=en&version=6.3" previous_markdown_url: "https://learn.unity.com/pathway/unity-essentials/unit/editor-essentials/tutorial/open-the-unity-essentials-project.md?language=en&version=6.3" next_title: "Master 3D scene navigation" next_url: "https://learn.unity.com/pathway/unity-essentials/unit/editor-essentials/tutorial/master-3d-scene-navigation?language=en&version=6.3" next_markdown_url: "https://learn.unity.com/pathway/unity-essentials/unit/editor-essentials/tutorial/master-3d-scene-navigation.md?language=en&version=6.3" difficulty: foundational duration_minutes: 20 unity_version: - "6.0" - "6.3" supported_unity_versions: - name: "6.0" url: "https://learn.unity.com/pathway/unity-essentials/unit/editor-essentials/tutorial/explore-the-editor-interface-1-1.md?language=en&version=6.0" - name: "6.3" url: "https://learn.unity.com/pathway/unity-essentials/unit/editor-essentials/tutorial/explore-the-editor-interface-1-1.md?language=en&version=6.3" - name: "2022.3" url: "https://learn.unity.com/pathway/unity-essentials/unit/editor-essentials/tutorial/explore-the-editor-interface-1-1.md?language=en&version=2022.3" last_updated: "2026-08-04T14:22:50.000Z" --- # Explore the Editor Interface Open your first Unity scene and get comfortable navigating the main Unity Editor windows. Jump into your first Unity scene and familiarize yourself with the main Editor windows. ## 1. Mission overview [Video](https://connect-mediagw.unity.com/h1/20240523/videos/08a21c73-3ce1-4621-ae2c-4cc67ea031b6_Essentials_Pathway_M1_Editor_Essentials.mp4) ([Transcript (en)](https://storage.googleapis.com/learn-platform-bucket-production/tutorial/70099028-c9e2-4d30-a2e7-1d54ebbfc4c8/versions%5B_key==%221f8a16ae341f%22%5D.sections%5B_key==%22f5Dcpkp7DZC0QRMvpxORds%22%5D.body%5B_key==%22f5Dcpkp7DZC0QRMvpxORgv%22%5D.subtitles/Essentials_Pathway_M1_Editor_Essentials_20260124_012024.srt)) This tutorial series introduces you to the essential skills of navigating the Unity Editor. You'll learn to navigate 3D space in a playground scene, using Flythrough mode and tools like Move and Rotate to design a mural. Once you master these skills, you’ll have the foundation required for confidently creating in Unity. ## 2. Tutorial overview ![](https://connect-mediagw.unity.com/h1/20240510/learn/images/0d2e126c-a562-41df-b7a1-28256b532330_1.1.1_-_Overview.png) In this first exercise, you’ll explore the most commonly used windows of the Unity Editor one by one. Although you can rearrange the windows, you’ll use Unity’s **Default** Layout so that your screen matches the screenshots in this tutorial. ## 3. Open a scene from the Project window [Video](https://connect-mediagw.unity.com/h1/20240510/videos/7c06c85f-5679-4134-99a2-f0bd47d20b64_1.1.2_-_The_Project_Window_-_VIDEO_V2.mp4) The **Project** window is where you can find all the files (assets) available for use in your project, whether you use them or not. The **Project** window works like a file explorer, organized in folders. You can view the **Project** window's assets as large icons or in a more compact list. ## **Instructions** **1.** Locate the slider at the bottom right corner of the **Project** window. **Note:** If you don’t see the slider, select the **Project** window’s **More (⋮)** menu and select **Two-column layout.** **2.** Drag the slider all the way to the left to see the assets in a list. This way, none of the assets’ names get cut off. This will be easier for now. **3.** In the **Assets** folder, open **\_Unity Essentials** > **Scenes,** then double-click **-1_Starter_Scene** to open it. Above the **Project** window in the center of the Editor, you'll see a robot standing on the left side of a big white platform in front of a beautiful blue sky, along with a collection of other objects. ## 4. Explore the scene contents with the Hierarchy window [Video](https://connect-mediagw.unity.com/h1/20240510/videos/70a470e3-b7da-47e9-b4e6-27c2df46696c_1.1.3_-_The_Hierarchy_window_-_VIDEO_V2.mp4) Did you notice that the **Hierarchy** window, which is on the left in Unity's default layout, was automatically populated with a list when you opened the scene? The **Hierarchy** window is where you organize all the things in your game world. These things are called **GameObjects.** There's an important difference between the **Project** window and the **Hierarchy** window: The **Hierarchy** window displays all the GameObjects in the current scene. The **Project** window displays all the assets available to your entire project, whether or not they are in the current scene. ## **Instructions** **1.** In the **Hierarchy** window, double-click some of the GameObjects and notice what happens. The selected GameObject is framed in the **Scene** view at the center of the Unity interface. **2.** In the **Hierarchy** window, locate the **Boxes** GameObject, then use the foldout (triangle) to expand it and explore the GameObjects within. GameObjects are typically organized in a hierarchical tree-like structure. In the **Hierarchy** window, a GameObject can have parent GameObjects and child GameObjects. **Parent** GameObjects contain other GameObjects, which are referred to as **child** GameObjects. **3.** To return to a view that allows you to see the entire environment, double-click the **Ground** GameObject, which will frame the entire ground in view. ## 5. Move around 3D space in the Scene view [Video](https://connect-mediagw.unity.com/h1/20240510/videos/0930cc43-58dc-42f9-8f1e-9e1339d5d850_1.1.4_-_Scene_view_-_VIDEO_V2.mp4) In the center of the default Unity Editor layout is the **Scene** view. This is your interactive window into the world you are creating. You’ll use the **Scene** view to manipulate objects and view them from various angles. ## **Instructions** **1.** With your cursor over the **Scene** view, right-click and drag. You'll notice the cursor turns into an eyeball icon when you do this. This is the **View** tool. It's like turning your head to look around in the real world. **2.** Release the right-mouse button, then use the arrow keys to freely move around in the **Scene** view. The **Up** and **Down** arrow keys move you forward and backward. The **Left** and **Right** arrow keys pan the view sideways. **3.** As a challenge, use these navigation techniques to get a good close-up view of the robot character. **4.** If you ever get lost in the **Scene** view, simply go back to the **Hierarchy** window and double-click one of the GameObjects to frame and center it in the **Scene** view. ## 6. Use the Pan tool [Video](https://connect-mediagw.unity.com/h1/20240510/videos/b279c4be-a476-4e7b-ba7e-7178b19c9bae_1.1.5_-_Use_the_pan_tool_-_VIDEO_V2.mp4) By default, there is a floating toolbar in the upper-left corner of the **Scene** view. These are the main **Scene** view tools. There are also a number of toolbars above the **Scene** view. These toolbars include buttons and settings that allow you to change the way your scene is displayed. For now, avoid clicking on those tools. These selections can't be undone and it can be hard to know how to reset your settings. Don't worry, you'll get to those options later! ## **Instructions** **1.** In the Hierarchy window, double-click the **Stairs** GameObject to frame it in the Scene view. **2.** Select the top tool from the toolbar that looks like a hand — this is the **Pan** tool. **Note:** The Pan tool is the same as the **View** tool. **3.** With the Pan tool selected, left-click and drag in the **Scene** view to pan side to side. Notice how you can see the changing reflection of the sky in the shiny material on the stairs as you pan side to side. You’ll learn how to make your own materials later! ## 7. Enter Play mode in Game view [Video](https://connect-mediagw.unity.com/h1/20240927/videos/188d4b37-cad2-4f9c-9584-7b96adb9bd27_1.1.6_-_Enter_Play_mode_in_Game_view_-_VIDEO_U6.mp4) If the **Scene** view is like a movie set, then the **Game** view is what you see through the camera. It's what the end user of your experience will see. When you enter Play mode to test your application, you will automatically be taken into the **Game** view. By default, the **Game view** will appear in the same area of the Editor as the **Scene** view. When you exit Play mode, you'll automatically be taken back to the **Scene** view. ## **Instructions** **1.** Select the **Play** button at the top center of the Editor and see what happens. You can move the robot character around with the following controls: - Press the arrow keys (or **WASD**) to walk around. - Press the **Spacebar** to jump. - Move the mouse to rotate your view. - Hold the **Shift** key to run. - If your cursor disappears, press **Esc** to see it again. **2.** Try to jump to collect the star from the platform at the top of the stairs. It will be just out of reach, but you’ll try to fix that in the next step. **3.** When you’re finished with Play mode, press the **Stop** button to exit **Play** mode and return to the **Scene** view. **Important:** It's crucial to exit **Play** mode when you're done testing. If you remain in **Play** mode, none of the changes you make will be saved. ## 8. Edit the GameObjects’ properties in the Inspector [Video](https://connect-mediagw.unity.com/h1/20240510/videos/2a6242a3-3496-4904-860a-abef371e1fa9_1.1.7_-_Edit_the_GameObjects__properties_in_the_Inspector_-_VIDEO_V2.mp4) The **Inspector** window is where you’ll find and configure detailed information about GameObjects. When you select a GameObject in the **Scene** view or in the **Hierarchy** window, its components are listed in the **Inspector** window. **Components** describe the properties and behaviors of GameObjects. In this step, you’ll use the **Inspector** window to position the star a bit closer to the platform so the player can reach it. ## **Instructions** **1.** Select one of the GameObjects in the **Hierarchy** window, then browse its components in the **Inspector** window. You probably won't understand what many of the components do yet, but that's OK! You'll get very familiar with these components as you go through this Pathway. **2.** Double-click the **Star** GameObject to frame it in view, then locate its **Position,** **Rotation,** and **Scale** values at the very top of the **Inspector** window. **3.** Reduce the **X** **Position** value by 1 or 2 units to move the star closer to the platform and reduce the **Y Position** value by 1 or 2 units to lower the star closer to the ground. Remember, you can always undo any unwanted changes with **Ctrl+Z** (macOS: **Cmd+Z**). **4.** Enter **Play** mode again and try to jump and collect the star, then exit **Play** mode when you’re done. ## 9. Save your scene [Video](https://connect-mediagw.unity.com/h1/20240510/videos/58b7affb-81e9-4196-95d7-9e3d4348adb2_1.1.8_-_Save_your_Scene_-_VIDEO_V2.mp4) Unity doesn't automatically save your scene. Make a habit of saving often so that you don't lose any progress. If you have unsaved changes in your scene, there will be an asterisk **(\*)** next to the name of the scene at the top of the **Hierarchy** window (in this case, **-1_Starter_Scene \***). ## **Instructions** To save your scene, press **Ctrl+S** (macOS: **Cmd+S**)**.** If there was an asterisk next to the scene name in the **Hierarchy** window, the asterisk would disappear. **Note:** You can also select **File** > **Save** from the main menu to save your scene. ## 10. Review and proceed to the next tutorial Congratulations on completing this first guided tutorial in the Unity Essentials Pathway! Here are some of the things you learned how to do along the way: - Open a scene from the **Project** window. - Frame a GameObject in the **Scene** view by double-clicking it in the **Hierarchy** window. - Explain the differences between the **Project** and **Hierarchy** windows. - Explain the relationship between the **Scene** view and the **Inspector** window. - Look around the scene with the **View** tool. - Look around the scene with the **Pan** tool. - Identify the windows that appear in the Unity Editor’s default view. - Start and stop Play mode (**Game** view). - Save the scene. ## **Instructions** Proceed to the next tutorial where you'll explore a playground scene to master 3D navigation in the **Scene** view.