Fixing the Duplicate command that duplicates at bottom of hierarchy

Hi fellow creators.

As you probably know, when duplicating a game object, duplicated objects goes to bottom of hierarchy.
Which is so counter intuitive and counter productive.

Here is a small replacement of Ctrl+D, (with a custom Shift+D) that does exactly the same but in addition place the duplicated objects below it's source, in hierarchy.

Copy and paste this code in a new file in your project :

Code (CSharp):

1.  
2. public static class EditorDuplicateCommand
3. {
4.     [MenuItem ( "Edit/Duplicate #d", false, 0 )]
5.     static void DuplicateSelection ()
6.     {
7.         List<GameObject> newSelection = new List<GameObject> ();
8.         for ( int ui = 0; ui < Selection.gameObjects.Length; ui++ )
9.         {
10.             GameObject go = Selection.gameObjects[ui];
11.             int siblingIndex = go.transform.GetSiblingIndex ();
12.             GameObject newGo = GameObject.Instantiate ( go );
13.             newGo.transform.parent = go.transform.parent;
14.             newGo.transform.position = go.transform.position;
15.             newGo.transform.SetSiblingIndex ( siblingIndex + 1 );
16.             Undo.RegisterCreatedObjectUndo ( newGo, "Duplicate" );
17.             newSelection.Add ( newGo );
18.         }
19.         Selection.objects = newSelection.ToArray ();
20.     }
21. }
22.  

Note that you can also vote to make this "feature" goes into Unity : https://feedback.unity3d.com/suggestions/create-goes-to-top-duplicate-goes-to-bottom-of-hierarchy

 

This would be so amazing. Has boggled my mind for years how counter productive it is currently. I tried the script but I get a bunch of errors? For example, can't find MenuItem.

 

Below is the full working script. You have to import the namespaces for the errors.
I've also added a new line:

Code (CSharp):

1. newGo.name = go.name;

This is my personal preference of removing the " (Clone)" addition to the name.

Code (CSharp):

1. using System.Collections;
2. using System.Collections.Generic;
3. using UnityEngine;
4. using UnityEditor;
5.  
6. public static class EditorDuplicateCommand
7. {
8.     [MenuItem ( "Edit/Duplicate #d", false, 0 )]
9.     static void DuplicateSelection ()
10.     {
11.         List<GameObject> newSelection = new List<GameObject> ();
12.         for ( int ui = 0; ui < Selection.gameObjects.Length; ui++ )
13.         {
14.             GameObject go = Selection.gameObjects[ui];
15.             int siblingIndex = go.transform.GetSiblingIndex ();
16.             GameObject newGo = GameObject.Instantiate ( go );
17.             newGo.transform.parent = go.transform.parent;
18.             newGo.transform.position = go.transform.position;
19.             newGo.transform.SetSiblingIndex ( siblingIndex + 1 );
20.             Undo.RegisterCreatedObjectUndo ( newGo, "Duplicate" );
21.             newGo.name = go.name;
22.             newSelection.Add ( newGo );
23.         }
24.         Selection.objects = newSelection.ToArray ();
25.     }
26. }
27.  

 

Hello,

This is a almost a solution to a very annoying problem in Unity. The only issue I have with it is that it breaks instances of prefabs and turns them into singular game objects.

Can you make it so it duplicates instances without breaking the prefab connection.

Thanks,
Raymond

 

I modified the code so that it no longer breaks prefab connections.

It will now properly duplicate objects, prefab instances, and prefabs.

Code (CSharp):

1. using System.Collections;
2. using System.Collections.Generic;
3. using UnityEngine;
4. using UnityEditor;
5.  
6. public static class EditorDuplicateCommand {
7.   // Using &d (alt+d) instead of #d (ctrl+d) because typing capital D was triggering this
8.   [MenuItem("Edit/Duplicate &d", false, 0)]
9.   static void DuplicateSelection () {
10.     var newSelection = new List<GameObject>();
11.     for (int ui = 0; ui < Selection.gameObjects.Length; ui++) {
12.         var go = Selection.gameObjects[ui];
13.         int siblingIndex = go.transform.GetSiblingIndex();
14.         var newGo = SmartInstantiate(go);
15.         newGo.transform.parent = go.transform.parent;
16.         newGo.transform.position = go.transform.position;
17.         newGo.transform.SetSiblingIndex(siblingIndex + 1);
18.         Undo.RegisterCreatedObjectUndo(newGo, "Duplicate");
19.         newGo.name = go.name;
20.         newSelection.Add(newGo);
21.       }
22.     Selection.objects = newSelection.ToArray();
23.   }
24.  
25.   private static GameObject SmartInstantiate(GameObject go) {
26.     var prefabType = PrefabUtility.GetPrefabType(go);
27.  
28.     if (prefabType == PrefabType.PrefabInstance) {
29.       var prefab = PrefabUtility.GetPrefabParent(go) as GameObject;
30.       var newGo = (GameObject) PrefabUtility.InstantiatePrefab(prefab);
31.       var mods = PrefabUtility.GetPropertyModifications(go);
32.       PrefabUtility.SetPropertyModifications(newGo, mods);
33.       return newGo;
34.     }
35.  
36.     if (prefabType == PrefabType.Prefab) {
37.       return (GameObject)PrefabUtility.InstantiatePrefab(go);
38.     }
39.  
40.     return GameObject.Instantiate(go) as GameObject;
41.   }
42. }

 

Oh man, please fix this, I'm currently working on a project that has a lot of objects, like a lot, and I need to duplicate some and keep them below the original but they get added at the end. It is very, very annoying!

Sorry for the necro.

 

Hey, this is really good and saved my life
I rewrite legacy functions and make some optimization on Asset Duplicate so it duplicated with increasing ID

Note: I use Unity Shortcut Manager to solve conflict
And I write a tutorial in my blog, hope it helps

Code (CSharp):

1.  
2. using System.Collections;
3. using System.Collections.Generic;
4. using UnityEngine;
5. using UnityEditor;
6.  
7. public static class EditorDuplicateCommand
8. {
9.     [MenuItem("Edit/Smart Duplicate %d", false, 0)]
10.     private static void DuplicateSelection()
11.     {
12.         var newSelection = new List<Object>();
13.         if (Selection.gameObjects.Length > 0)
14.         {
15.             for (int ui = 0; ui < Selection.gameObjects.Length; ui++)
16.             {
17.                 var go = Selection.gameObjects[ui];
18.                 int siblingIndex = go.transform.GetSiblingIndex();
19.                 var newGo = SmartInstantiate(go);
20.                 newGo.transform.parent = go.transform.parent;
21.                 newGo.transform.position = go.transform.position;
22.                 newGo.transform.SetSiblingIndex(siblingIndex + 1);
23.                 newGo.name = go.name;
24.                 newSelection.Add(newGo);
25.             }
26.         }
27.         else
28.         {
29.             for (int ui = 0; ui < Selection.objects.Length; ui++)
30.             {
31.                 var go = Selection.objects[ui];
32.                 var newGo = DuplicateAsset(go);
33.                 newSelection.Add(newGo);
34.             }
35.         }
36.         Selection.objects = newSelection.ToArray();
37.     }
38.  
39.     private static GameObject SmartInstantiate(GameObject go)
40.     {
41.         if (PrefabUtility.GetPrefabInstanceStatus(go) == PrefabInstanceStatus.Connected)
42.         {
43.             var prefab = PrefabUtility.GetCorrespondingObjectFromSource(go) as GameObject;
44.             var newGo = (GameObject)PrefabUtility.InstantiatePrefab(prefab);
45.             var mods = PrefabUtility.GetPropertyModifications(go);
46.             PrefabUtility.SetPropertyModifications(newGo, mods);
47.             return newGo;
48.         }
49.  
50.         if (PrefabUtility.GetPrefabAssetType(go) != PrefabAssetType.NotAPrefab)
51.         {
52.             return DuplicateAsset(go) as GameObject;
53.         }
54.  
55.         return GameObject.Instantiate(go) as GameObject;
56.     }
57.  
58.     private static Object DuplicateAsset(Object targetAsset)
59.     {
60.         int index = 1;
61.         while (AssetDatabase.LoadAssetAtPath<Object>(AssetDatabase.GetAssetPath(targetAsset).Replace(".", " " + index + ".")) != null)
62.         {
63.             index++;
64.             if (index > 100)
65.             {
66.                 Debug.LogError("Massive Asset Duplicate Detect");
67.             }
68.         }
69.         AssetDatabase.CopyAsset(AssetDatabase.GetAssetPath(targetAsset), AssetDatabase.GetAssetPath(targetAsset).Replace(".", " " + index + "."));
70.         return AssetDatabase.LoadAssetAtPath<Object>(AssetDatabase.GetAssetPath(targetAsset).Replace(".", " " + index + "."));
71.     }
72. }
73.  

 

I have added some small fixes for duplicating RectTransforms (scaling and parenting):

Code (CSharp):

1. using System.Collections;
2. using System.Collections.Generic;
3. using UnityEngine;
4. using UnityEditor;
5. public static class EditorDuplicateCommand
6. {
7.     [MenuItem("Edit/Smart Duplicate &d", false, 0)]
8.     private static void DuplicateSelection()
9.     {
10.         var newSelection = new List<Object>();
11.         if (Selection.gameObjects.Length > 0)
12.         {
13.             for (int ui = 0; ui < Selection.gameObjects.Length; ui++)
14.             {
15.                 var go = Selection.gameObjects[ui];
16.                 int siblingIndex = go.transform.GetSiblingIndex();
17.                 var newGo = SmartInstantiate(go);
18.                 if(newGo.transform is RectTransform)
19.                 {
20.                     newGo.transform.SetParent(go.transform.parent);
21.                 }
22.                 else
23.                 {
24.                     newGo.transform.parent = go.transform.parent;
25.                 }
26.                 newGo.transform.position = go.transform.position;
27.                 newGo.transform.SetSiblingIndex(siblingIndex + 1);
28.                 newGo.transform.localScale = go.transform.localScale;
29.                 newGo.name = go.name;
30.                 newSelection.Add(newGo);
31.             }
32.         }
33.         else
34.         {
35.             for (int ui = 0; ui < Selection.objects.Length; ui++)
36.             {
37.                 var go = Selection.objects[ui];
38.                 var newGo = DuplicateAsset(go);
39.                 newSelection.Add(newGo);
40.             }
41.         }
42.         Selection.objects = newSelection.ToArray();
43.     }
44.     private static GameObject SmartInstantiate(GameObject go)
45.     {
46.         if (PrefabUtility.GetPrefabInstanceStatus(go) == PrefabInstanceStatus.Connected)
47.         {
48.             var prefab = PrefabUtility.GetCorrespondingObjectFromSource(go) as GameObject;
49.             var newGo = (GameObject)PrefabUtility.InstantiatePrefab(prefab);
50.             var mods = PrefabUtility.GetPropertyModifications(go);
51.             PrefabUtility.SetPropertyModifications(newGo, mods);
52.             return newGo;
53.         }
54.         if (PrefabUtility.GetPrefabAssetType(go) != PrefabAssetType.NotAPrefab)
55.         {
56.             return DuplicateAsset(go) as GameObject;
57.         }
58.         return GameObject.Instantiate(go) as GameObject;
59.     }
60.     private static Object DuplicateAsset(Object targetAsset)
61.     {
62.         int index = 1;
63.         while (AssetDatabase.LoadAssetAtPath<Object>(AssetDatabase.GetAssetPath(targetAsset).Replace(".", " " + index + ".")) != null)
64.         {
65.             index++;
66.             if (index > 100)
67.             {
68.                 Debug.LogError("Massive Asset Duplicate Detect");
69.             }
70.         }
71.         AssetDatabase.CopyAsset(AssetDatabase.GetAssetPath(targetAsset), AssetDatabase.GetAssetPath(targetAsset).Replace(".", " " + index + "."));
72.         return AssetDatabase.LoadAssetAtPath<Object>(AssetDatabase.GetAssetPath(targetAsset).Replace(".", " " + index + "."));
73.     }
74. }

 

Added Undo operation for Ctrl+Z working and changed shortcut to Ctrl + Shift + D, to available both options

Code (CSharp):

1. using System.Collections;
2. using System.Collections.Generic;
3. using UnityEngine;
4. using UnityEditor;
5. public static class EditorDuplicateCommand
6. {
7.     [MenuItem("Edit/Smart Duplicate %#d", false, 0)]
8.     private static void DuplicateSelection()
9.     {
10.         var newSelection = new List<Object>();
11.         if (Selection.gameObjects.Length > 0)
12.         {
13.             for (int ui = 0; ui < Selection.gameObjects.Length; ui++)
14.             {
15.                 var go = Selection.gameObjects[ui];
16.                 int siblingIndex = go.transform.GetSiblingIndex();
17.                 var newGo = SmartInstantiate(go);
18.                 if (newGo.transform is RectTransform)
19.                 {
20.                     newGo.transform.SetParent(go.transform.parent);
21.                 }
22.                 else
23.                 {
24.                     newGo.transform.parent = go.transform.parent;
25.                 }
26.                 newGo.transform.position = go.transform.position;
27.                 newGo.transform.SetSiblingIndex(siblingIndex + 1);
28.                 newGo.transform.localScale = go.transform.localScale;
29.                 newGo.name = go.name;
30.                 newSelection.Add(newGo);
31.                 Undo.RegisterCreatedObjectUndo(newGo, $"Undo instantiate {newGo.name}");
32.             }
33.         }
34.         else
35.         {
36.             for (int ui = 0; ui < Selection.objects.Length; ui++)
37.             {
38.                 var go = Selection.objects[ui];
39.                 var newGo = DuplicateAsset(go);
40.                 newSelection.Add(newGo);
41.                 Undo.RegisterCreatedObjectUndo(newGo, $"Undo instantiate {newGo.name}");
42.             }
43.         }
44.         Selection.objects = newSelection.ToArray();
45.     }
46.     private static GameObject SmartInstantiate(GameObject go)
47.     {
48.         if (PrefabUtility.GetPrefabInstanceStatus(go) == PrefabInstanceStatus.Connected)
49.         {
50.             var prefab = PrefabUtility.GetCorrespondingObjectFromSource(go) as GameObject;
51.             var newGo = (GameObject)PrefabUtility.InstantiatePrefab(prefab);
52.             var mods = PrefabUtility.GetPropertyModifications(go);
53.             PrefabUtility.SetPropertyModifications(newGo, mods);
54.             return newGo;
55.         }
56.         if (PrefabUtility.GetPrefabAssetType(go) != PrefabAssetType.NotAPrefab)
57.         {
58.             return DuplicateAsset(go) as GameObject;
59.         }
60.         return GameObject.Instantiate(go) as GameObject;
61.     }
62.     private static Object DuplicateAsset(Object targetAsset)
63.     {
64.         int index = 1;
65.         while (AssetDatabase.LoadAssetAtPath<Object>(AssetDatabase.GetAssetPath(targetAsset).Replace(".", " " + index + ".")) != null)
66.         {
67.             index++;
68.             if (index > 100)
69.             {
70.                 Debug.LogError("Massive Asset Duplicate Detect");
71.             }
72.         }
73.         AssetDatabase.CopyAsset(AssetDatabase.GetAssetPath(targetAsset), AssetDatabase.GetAssetPath(targetAsset).Replace(".", " " + index + "."));
74.         return AssetDatabase.LoadAssetAtPath<Object>(AssetDatabase.GetAssetPath(targetAsset).Replace(".", " " + index + "."));
75.     }
76. }

 

I created a tool that automatically changes the sibling index of duplicated objects.
https://github.com/eviltwo/PasteNext