The Hierarchy window

Learn to organize GameObjects in the Hierarchy window.

Hierarchy window

The Hierarchy window lists all GameObjects in the active scene in a tree structure. Every cube, light, or camera added to the scene occupies a row in this list.

// Hierarchy view simulation:
// - World
//   - Player
//     - MainCamera

Sorting and grouping objects here keeps the scene organized and manageable.

Parent and Child behavior

When an object becomes a parent, child objects follow its movement. If the parent rotates or moves, the child moves along with it.

// Assigning parent via code
swordObject.transform.SetParent(playerObject.transform);

The child object's coordinates are then calculated relative to its parent (local space), rather than world space.

Exercise Print hierarchy relationship

Set the parent object name to "Car" and child object name to "Wheel", then print in the format Parent: Car -> Child: Wheel.

Show example solution

using System;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        string parent = "Car";
        string child = "Wheel";
        Console.WriteLine("Parent: " + parent + " -> Child: " + child);
    }
}

Test yourself

What kind of relationship is established when an object is dragged into another in the Hierarchy?
- Parent - Child relationship
- Only a temporary folder copy is created
- The two objects are compressed into a single file
- The lower object is automatically deleted from scene
Show answer

Parent - Child relationship — Dragging an object onto another establishes a Parent-Child hierarchy.

Set the parent object

childTransform.____(parentTransform);

Show answer

childTransform.SetParent(parentTransform);

Hierarchy concepts

Parent

Top GameObject guiding objects below it
Child

Object following its parent's motion
Hierarchy Window

Panel showing scene objects in a tree
Local Position

Object's position relative to its parent

Next lesson: Editing with the Inspector

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