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Inspector Inline Editor (WInLineEditor)

Edit nested objects without losing context.

The [WInLineEditor] attribute embeds the inspector for object references (ScriptableObjects, Materials, Components, Textures, etc.) directly below the field. No more clicking through to edit configuration; everything stays in view.

Table of Contents

Basic Usage

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using UnityEngine;
using WallstopStudios.UnityHelpers.Core.Attributes;

public class AbilityConfig : ScriptableObject
{
    public string displayName;
    public float cooldown;
    public Sprite icon;
}

public class Character : MonoBehaviour
{
    [WInLineEditor]
    public AbilityConfig primaryAbility;  // Editable inline!
}

Visual Reference

WInLineEditor showing embedded ScriptableObject inspector

WInLineEditor with embedded inspector for a ScriptableObject reference

Display Modes

Control how the inline editor appears using WInLineEditorMode:

Mode Behavior
AlwaysExpanded Always shows the inline inspector (no foldout)
FoldoutExpanded Shows a foldout that starts expanded
FoldoutCollapsed Shows a foldout that starts collapsed (default)
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using UnityEngine;
using WallstopStudios.UnityHelpers.Core.Attributes;

public sealed class AbilityConfig : ScriptableObject { }

public class WInlineEditorModes : MonoBehaviour
{
    // Always visible
    [WInLineEditor(WInLineEditorMode.AlwaysExpanded)]
    public AbilityConfig alwaysVisibleConfig;

    // Foldout, starts open
    [WInLineEditor(WInLineEditorMode.FoldoutExpanded)]
    public AbilityConfig expandedByDefault;

    // Foldout, starts closed (default behavior)
    [WInLineEditor(WInLineEditorMode.FoldoutCollapsed)]
    public AbilityConfig collapsedByDefault;

    // Uses global setting from Unity Helpers Settings
    [WInLineEditor]
    public AbilityConfig usesGlobalSetting;
}

Visual Reference

WInLineEditor modes comparison

Comparison of AlwaysExpanded, FoldoutExpanded, and FoldoutCollapsed modes

Configuration Options

Fine-tune the presentation with constructor parameters:

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public sealed class AbilityConfig : ScriptableObject { }

[WInLineEditor(
    WInLineEditorMode.FoldoutCollapsed,  // Display mode
    inspectorHeight: 200f,                // Vertical space (min 160)
    drawObjectField: true,                // Show object picker
    drawHeader: true,                     // Show bold header with ping button
    drawPreview: false,                   // Render preview area
    previewHeight: 64f,                   // Preview area height
    enableScrolling: true,                // Wrap in scroll view
    minInspectorWidth: 520f               // Horizontal scroll threshold (0 = disabled)
)]
public AbilityConfig detailedConfig;

Parameter Reference

Parameter Default Description
inspectorHeight 200 Vertical space for inspector body (minimum 160)
drawObjectField true Show the object picker field next to label
drawHeader true Show bold header with ping button
drawPreview false Render preview area (if target editor supports it)
previewHeight 64 Height of preview area when enabled
enableScrolling true Wrap inspector body in scroll view
minInspectorWidth 520 Width threshold for horizontal scrollbar (0 = disabled)

When an object is assigned, the header omits a field label that is empty or contains only whitespace, including control characters and Unicode spaces. Nonblank labels keep their exact spacing, and object names stay unchanged. When no object is assigned, the original field label is preserved.

Examples with Options

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using UnityEngine;
using WallstopStudios.UnityHelpers.Core.Attributes;
using WallstopStudios.UnityHelpers.Utils;

public sealed class AbilityConfig : ScriptableObject { }

public class AbilityDatabase : ScriptableObjectSingleton<AbilityDatabase>
{
    // Compact: no header, no object field, fixed height
    [WInLineEditor(
        WInLineEditorMode.AlwaysExpanded,
        inspectorHeight: 180f,
        drawObjectField: false,
        drawHeader: false
    )]
    public AbilityConfig compactView;

    // Full featured: preview, scrolling, header with ping
    [WInLineEditor(
        WInLineEditorMode.FoldoutExpanded,
        inspectorHeight: 300f,
        drawPreview: true,
        previewHeight: 80f,
        enableScrolling: true
    )]
    public Sprite abilityIcon;
}

Visual Reference

WInLineEditor configuration options

Different configuration combinations showing compact vs full-featured layouts

Animation Settings

Foldout animations create smooth expand/collapse transitions. Configure globally via Edit > Project Settings > Unity Helpers:

Setting Default Description
InlineEditorFoldoutTweenEnabled true Enable/disable smooth animations
InlineEditorFoldoutSpeed 2.0 Animation speed (2.0 - 12.0)
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using UnityEngine;
using WallstopStudios.UnityHelpers.Core.Attributes;

public sealed class AbilityConfig : ScriptableObject { }

public class WInLineEditorAnimation : MonoBehaviour
{
    // Animation applies to foldout modes only
    [WInLineEditor(WInLineEditorMode.FoldoutCollapsed)] // Animated
    public AbilityConfig animatedFoldout;

    [WInLineEditor(WInLineEditorMode.AlwaysExpanded)] // No animation
    public AbilityConfig noAnimation;
}

Visual Reference

WInLineEditor foldout animation

Smooth expand/collapse animation with configurable speed

See also: Inspector Settings Reference for complete settings documentation.

Supported Types

WInLineEditor works with any Unity Object reference:

  • ScriptableObjects: Configuration assets, data containers
  • Materials: Shader properties inline
  • Textures: Texture import settings
  • Components: Other MonoBehaviours on GameObjects
  • Any UnityEngine.Object: Custom asset types
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public class VisualConfig : MonoBehaviour
{
    [WInLineEditor]
    public Material sharedMaterial;

    [WInLineEditor(drawPreview: true, previewHeight: 128f)]
    public Texture2D backgroundTexture;

    [WInLineEditor]
    public AudioClip soundEffect;
}

Features

  • Bespoke implementation: No Odin dependency, tailored for common workflows
  • Native editor reuse: Respects custom inspectors, validation, and undo
  • Optional scroll view: Keeps large inspectors usable without stealing space
  • Preview support: For assets that implement HasPreviewGUI
  • Ping button: Quick navigation to assets in the Project window
  • Smooth animations: Configurable expand/collapse transitions

Best Practices

1. Use Foldouts for Optional Content

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public sealed class CoreSettings : ScriptableObject { }

public sealed class AdvancedSettings : ScriptableObject { }

// Collapsed by default - keeps inspector clean
[WInLineEditor(WInLineEditorMode.FoldoutCollapsed)]
public AdvancedSettings advancedSettings;

// Always visible for frequently-edited config
[WInLineEditor(WInLineEditorMode.AlwaysExpanded)]
public CoreSettings coreSettings;

2. Adjust Height for Content Size

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public sealed class SimpleConfig : ScriptableObject { }

public sealed class ComplexConfig : ScriptableObject { }

// Short config - minimal height
[WInLineEditor(inspectorHeight: 160f)]
public SimpleConfig simple;

// Complex config - more room
[WInLineEditor(inspectorHeight: 400f, enableScrolling: true)]
public ComplexConfig complex;

3. Combine with WGroup for Organization

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[WGroup("Visual Settings")]
[WInLineEditor]
public Material material;      // In group

[WInLineEditor]
[WGroupEnd]                    // texture IS included, then group closes
public Texture2D texture;      // In group (last field)

[WGroup("Audio Settings")]
[WInLineEditor]
[WGroupEnd]                    // clip IS included, then group closes
public AudioClip clip;         // In group (last field)

4. Disable Object Field for Embedded Data

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public sealed class FixedConfiguration : ScriptableObject { }

// When the reference shouldn't change, hide the picker
[WInLineEditor(drawObjectField: false)]
public FixedConfiguration config;

Examples

Example 1: Character Ability System

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using UnityEngine;
using WallstopStudios.UnityHelpers.Core.Attributes;

[CreateAssetMenu(menuName = "Game/Ability Config")]
public class AbilityConfig : ScriptableObject
{
    public string displayName;
    public Sprite icon;
    public float cooldown = 1f;
    public float damage = 10f;
    public GameObject effectPrefab;
}

public class CharacterAbilities : MonoBehaviour
{
    [WGroup("Primary Abilities")]
    [WInLineEditor(WInLineEditorMode.FoldoutExpanded)]
    public AbilityConfig primaryAttack;   // In group

    [WInLineEditor(WInLineEditorMode.FoldoutCollapsed)]
    [WGroupEnd]                           // secondaryAttack IS included, then closes
    public AbilityConfig secondaryAttack; // In group (last field)

    [WGroup("Ultimate")]
    [WInLineEditor(WInLineEditorMode.FoldoutCollapsed, inspectorHeight: 250f)]
    [WGroupEnd]                           // ultimate IS included, then closes
    public AbilityConfig ultimate;        // In group (last field)
}

Example 2: Material Editor

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using UnityEngine;
using WallstopStudios.UnityHelpers.Core.Attributes;

public class VisualEffectController : MonoBehaviour
{
    [WInLineEditor(
        WInLineEditorMode.FoldoutExpanded,
        inspectorHeight: 300f,
        drawPreview: true,
        previewHeight: 100f)]
    public Material effectMaterial;

    [WInLineEditor(drawPreview: true, previewHeight: 64f)]
    public Texture2D noiseTexture;
}

Example 3: Audio Configuration

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using UnityEngine;
using WallstopStudios.UnityHelpers.Core.Attributes;

[CreateAssetMenu(menuName = "Audio/Sound Config")]
public class SoundConfig : ScriptableObject
{
    public AudioClip clip;
    [Range(0f, 1f)] public float volume = 1f;
    [Range(0.5f, 2f)] public float pitch = 1f;
    public bool loop;
}

public class AudioManager : MonoBehaviour
{
    [WInLineEditor(WInLineEditorMode.FoldoutCollapsed)]
    public SoundConfig backgroundMusic;

    [WInLineEditor(WInLineEditorMode.FoldoutCollapsed)]
    public SoundConfig buttonClick;

    [WInLineEditor(WInLineEditorMode.FoldoutCollapsed)]
    public SoundConfig victorySound;
}

See Also

Next Steps:

  • Add [WInLineEditor] to ScriptableObject references for inline editing
  • Configure global defaults in Unity Helpers Settings
  • Combine with [WGroup] for organized inspector layouts