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Asked: 2025-05-07T10:35:12+05:30

How can I equalize the left and right space in a Unity Editor help box?

I’m working on a custom inspector in Unity, and I’ve run into a bit of a layout issue with the help box I created. I want to make it look nice and balanced, but right now, the space on the left side of the help box is noticeably different from the right side, and it’s driving me a little nuts!

Here’s what I have so far:

“`csharp
public override void OnInspectorGUI()
{
collection = (DynamicLightmapsCollection)target;

GUIStyle infoTitleStyle = new GUIStyle(EditorStyles.boldLabel)
{
alignment = TextAnchor.MiddleCenter,
fontSize = 22,
fontStyle = FontStyle.Bold
};

EditorGUILayout.Space();
EditorGUILayout.BeginVertical(EditorStyles.helpBox);
GUILayout.Label(“Info”, infoTitleStyle);
EditorGUILayout.EndVertical();
}
“`

As you can see, I’m using `EditorGUILayout.BeginVertical` with `EditorStyles.helpBox`, and I’ve set up a title label inside it. The problem arises when I check how it looks in my inspector; the left padding seems thicker than the right padding. It’s making my inspector look a little lopsided—a small detail, but for some reason, it’s becoming a bit of an obsession for me!

I’ve looked through some documentation and even tinkered with a few properties in the GUIStyle, but I’m either not getting the results I want or I’m just not sure where to apply the changes without messing everything else up. It feels like such a simple problem, yet I can’t seem to nail it down.

Has anyone faced a similar issue with the spacing in Unity’s help boxes? Is there a way to equalize the left and right space? Maybe there’s a margin or padding property I can adjust in the `helpBox` style, but I’m not quite sure how to implement that without affecting the overall aesthetic.

I’d really appreciate any insights or tips on achieving that balanced look in the inspector! It’s just those little details that make everything feel more polished, you know? Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

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    2 Answers

    1. It sounds like you’re facing a common issue with the way Unity handles layouts in the Inspector. The discrepancy in padding on the sides of your help box can definitely be annoying, especially when you want everything to look polished.

      One way to adjust the padding is by creating a custom GUIStyle for your help box. You can control the content’s padding more precisely by modifying the padding properties directly. Here’s how you can do it:

      GUIStyle customHelpBoxStyle = new GUIStyle(EditorStyles.helpBox);
    customHelpBoxStyle.padding = new RectOffset(10, 10, 10, 10); // Adjust these values as needed

      Then, use this custom style when you’re drawing the help box:

      EditorGUILayout.BeginVertical(customHelpBoxStyle);
    GUILayout.Label("Info", infoTitleStyle);
    EditorGUILayout.EndVertical();

      Adjust the values in RectOffset to get the exact balance you want. The first two parameters represent the left and right padding, while the last two represent the top and bottom.

      Also, remember that sometimes Unity’s layout can be a bit finicky, and you may need to play with the GUILayout.Space() or other layout calls to dial things in perfectly. Keep experimenting a bit until it feels right!

      This should help you get that nice, balanced look for your inspector. Good luck!

    2. The uneven padding you’re observing is due to the built-in margins and paddings applied by Unity’s default EditorStyles.helpBox GUIStyle. To gain better control over the spacing, you should create a copy of this default style and fine-tune its padding explicitly. You can define a custom GUIStyle by copying the original helpBox style and then assigning equal padding values for left and right sides, something like:
      GUIStyle customHelpBox = new GUIStyle(EditorStyles.helpBox);
      customHelpBox.padding.left = customHelpBox.padding.right = 10; // Adjust as needed
      EditorGUILayout.BeginVertical(customHelpBox);
      // Your content here
      EditorGUILayout.EndVertical();

      Alternatively, if you still notice alignment issues, consider directly setting the margin properties or wrapping your content inside an additional GUILayout.BeginHorizontal with some adjustable flexible space calls like GUILayout.FlexibleSpace() on either side. This technique allows you precise control over content placement and alignment within the inspector layout, providing a more balanced and polished aesthetic appearance. Fine-tuning these styling and layout elements is key to achieving the visually balanced look you desire.