PrefabUtility.GetPrefabObject doesn't work!

I am trying to use PrefabUtility.GetPrefabObject to get prefab for scene object. However, when i get object of type "Object" and trying to cast it to game object either

var prefab = PrefabUtility.GetPrefabObject(prefabRoot) as GameObject;

or

var prefab = (GameObject) PrefabUtility.GetPrefabObject(prefabRoot);

I always get null (or InvalidCastException).

Also, when inspecting returned value, it says UnityEngine.Prefab but I've been unable to find this type via Object Browser or IlSpy. I'd really like to get at least name of prefab so I can fetch it myself, but this Prefab object has been useless so far for me.

So far it seems that there is either a bug I didn't get the purpose of this function. Please advise .

 

Hey, thanks for answer.

I am trying to write an Editor tool that allows user to choose type (prefab) of unit in my game and than place it into scene (it's instances - in editor time) and sets couple more thing in public vars. It is a convenient utility that removes the neccessity for like 5 click and setting couple vars (which you have to know) and removes proneness to errors.

But i guess if I introduce a rule not to rename those unit instances and place unit prefabs into Resources, I can determine what is present in scene and allow to change it based on the name.

Still kinda confusing and would be great to have more description in the documentation.

 

The GetPrefabObject method cannot return a useful Object that I can use to fill the ObjectField or to fetch the actual path from?

 

It could be very useful if you answer directly to the question. What

Its not difficult to understand that Unity need to remove it from documentation or state that they aren't for editor scripts but used by internal Unity editor scripts. Even better is to share how Unity used them internally so we not get stuck by bad documentation and even worst answer by UnityTechnologies.

 

The Answer:

Code (CSharp):

1. GameObject gameObjectPackedInPrefab=PrefabUtility.GetPrefabParent(gameObjectPrefabInstanceInScene) as GameObject;

Useful: If you have script which want to "apply" prefab scene instance's(PrefabType.PrefabInstance) changes, to the prefab itself. Save.

Code (CSharp):

1. UnityEngine.Object prefabObject = PrefabUtility.GetPrefabObject(gameObject);

prefabObject is actually of UnityEngine.Prefab type.
Useful: To find prefab by use of gameObject instance as searchTerm.