odin-inspector

Odin Inspector & Serializer

Odin Inspector (Sirenix) extends Unity's inspector with powerful serialization (dictionaries, interfaces, polymorphic types), validation attributes, layout control, and custom editor window tools. It dramatically reduces the need for custom editors.

Serialization — SerializedMonoBehaviour & SerializedScriptableObject

Unity's default serializer cannot handle dictionaries, interfaces, abstract classes, or deeply nested polymorphic types. Odin's serializer can.

using Sirenix.OdinInspector;
using Sirenix.Serialization;

// Inherit from SerializedMonoBehaviour instead of MonoBehaviour
public class EnemyData : SerializedMonoBehaviour
{
    // Dictionary — just works in the inspector
    public Dictionary<string, int> Stats = new Dictionary<string, int>
    {
        { "Health", 100 },
        { "Attack", 15 },
        { "Defense", 8 },
    };

    // Interface field — shows a polymorphic dropdown
    public IAbility PrimaryAbility;
    public List<IAbility> AbilityPool;

    // Nested complex types
    public Dictionary<DamageType, List<StatusEffect>> DamageEffects;
}

// For ScriptableObjects
public class GameConfig : SerializedScriptableObject
{
    public Dictionary<string, EnemyWaveConfig> Waves;
    public Dictionary<ItemRarity, Color> RarityColors;
}

When to Use Odin Serialization vs Unity Serialization

IMPORTANT: Migration Caution

Projects using SerializedMonoBehaviour or SerializedScriptableObject are coupled to Odin. If Odin is removed from the project, all data stored via Odin's extended serialization is permanently lost. Unity only reads its own serialized data. Plan accordingly.