Hyper Light Studios
v1.0.1Unity 2021.3+Last updated: Feb 2026

Presets & Tools

18. Shape Presets & Quick Preset Mode

Shape Presets

Shape Presets are reusable ScriptableObject shape definitions that can be shared across multiple profiles.

Shape Browser — Presets The Shape Preset Browser showing all built-in presets organized by category with 3D previews.

Creating a Shape Preset

  1. Assets > Create > PileGen > Shape Preset
  2. Configure the shape rule (primitive, size, deformation, etc.)
  3. Save the asset

Using in a Shape Rule

In a Shape Rule, set Base Primitive to Preset and assign the Shape Preset asset. This lets you build a library of reusable shapes and reference them by name across all your profiles.

Built-in Shape Presets

Located in Assets/HLS/PileGen/Data/ShapePresets/, organized by category.

Quick Preset Mode

Assign a Shape Preset directly to the Generator's Quick Preset slot (no full Profile required). PileGen builds a temporary single-shape profile on the fly using the preset's settings.

This is the fastest way to:

  • Test what a new shape preset looks like in a pile
  • Generate a simple single-type scatter without creating a full profile
  • Prototype with a preset before investing in a full PileProfile

In Quick Preset mode, the Generator's Biome & Shading card shows the preset's assigned biome for live editing.


19. Profile Preview

The Pile Profile inspector includes an interactive 3D preview.

Using the Preview

  1. Select a Pile Profile asset
  2. The Generate tab shows a real-time 3D pile preview
  3. Controls:
    • Left-click + drag — Orbit the camera
    • Scroll wheel — Zoom in/out
    • 1:1 button — Show full piece count from the profile
    • Reduced button — Show only 10 pieces (faster preview)
    • Refresh button — Force regenerate the preview

The preview auto-updates when you change profile settings.


20. Built-in Presets

PileGen ships with 30+ ready-to-use pile profiles in Assets/HLS/PileGen/Data/Presets/:

CategoryPresets
NaturalRocks, Fallen Leaves, Twigs & Branches
ConstructionBricks, Wood Planks, Roof Shingles, Tiles & Slate
StorageCrates, Pallets, Cardboard Boxes, Barrels
BooksBooks (stacked)
BottlesGlass Bottles, Glass Bottles (High Detail), Alcohol Bottles
KitchenKitchen Glassware, Kitchen Jars, Kitchen Storage
CansSoda Cans, Tin Cans, Cans & Tins
IndustrialMetal Pipes, Metal Buckets, Buckets, Industrial Containers
FantasyAlchemy Potions, Temple Pottery, Pharmacy Vials, Candles
FurnitureChairs, Tables, Broken Furniture
MixedDebris, Mixed Junk, Generic Utility Containers
ArchitecturalPillars & Columns, Vases & Pots

Each preset comes with a matching pre-configured material.


24. Scene Manager

Open via PileGen > Scene Manager from the menu bar. Lists all PileGenGenerator components in the current scene.

Scene Manager The Scene Manager window listing all generators with piece counts, profile names, and batch actions.

Features

  • View all generators with piece counts and profile names
  • Regenerate All — batch regenerate every pile in the scene
  • Settle All — batch settle every pile
  • Navigate to any generator by clicking its entry
  • Enable/disable individual generators