---
title: "Build custom shapes"
content_type: tutorial
url: "https://learn.unity.com/tutorial/build-custom-shapes?language=en"
language: en
difficulty: foundational
duration_minutes: 10
supports_all_unity_versions: true
last_updated: "2026-08-04T14:24:00.000Z"
---

# Build custom shapes

Learn to model custom 3D forms in Unity by constructing your own surfaces instead of relying on basic primitives.

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to build 3D shapes by making your own surfaces instead of just using basic shapes.

## Select tools

![](https://connect-mediagw.unity.com/h1/20230422/learn/images/5e86cc43-730a-4e5d-bbcf-cfb5ac59b2ff_C00.png)

In the **ProBuilder** window, select the **New Poly Shape** tool.

![](https://connect-mediagw.unity.com/h1/20230422/learn/images/5cf38681-d4f1-44c0-8bb0-ffa3210b93e5_C01.png)

In the **Scene** view, the **Poly Shape** **Tool** window will open, which has  the following properties:

- **Extrusion**: sets the height based on the completed surface
- **Flip Normals**: turns every surface upside down, suitable for indoor representation

## Draw surfaces

To draw a surface, follow these instructions:

**1.**  Place your cursor over the grid of the scene to draw a surface just like when you draw a basic shape.

![](https://connect-mediagw.unity.com/h1/20230422/learn/images/a434b915-b265-4fb9-8225-508f4d33cba2_C02.gif)

**2.**  Click every point that will become the vertices of the surface.

**3.**  Click the starting point again to finish drawing.

## Set heights

You will be automatically directed to the height setting, where you move your mouse cursor up or down to set the height.

![](https://connect-mediagw.unity.com/h1/20230422/learn/images/eb62d50b-6b64-4187-b954-e464766cef4d_C03.gif)

Click when you reach the desired height. If you want to edit the height after, adjust the **Extrusion** properties in the **Poly Shape Tool** window in the **Scene** view.

![](https://connect-mediagw.unity.com/h1/20230422/learn/images/acf4d7d0-a3e0-404a-a1a1-5f79f401ca0c_C04.png)

When you've finished editing, either select the **Quit Editing** button, press the **Enter** key, or click the empty space in the **Hierarchy** window to exit.

![](https://connect-mediagw.unity.com/h1/20230422/learn/images/a99bec08-da16-4fb3-b604-0c5883852eb5_C05.png)

You can add more shapes for a more complex level design.

## Challenge: Create a complex indoor space

![](https://connect-mediagw.unity.com/h1/20230422/learn/images/ed9d67d0-7af9-467d-a85e-0b46c0878619_C06.png)

Try to design a custom shape where different rooms are connected by passages. After you adjust the height a little, use the **Flip Normals** property in the **Poly Shape Tool** window to turn over the mesh.

![](https://connect-mediagw.unity.com/h1/20230422/learn/images/cb4a6163-2177-4dc4-887a-c276b9734b8d_C07.png)

This is how the inside becomes surfaces, making a form that illuminates the interior instead of the exterior. Some faces are invisible from the outside, so you may feel there are no surfaces. When you have the desired shape, select the **Quit Editing** button to confirm.

![](https://connect-mediagw.unity.com/h1/20230422/learn/images/c84fb698-d0c7-4684-bcc0-7d5cf638a3b9_C08.png)