2D Graphics & URP

2D Graphics & URP

Modern Unity 2D uses the Universal Render Pipeline (URP) to achieve advanced graphical results, including dynamic 2D lighting and shadows.

URP 2D Renderer

When you set up a URP project with a 2D Template, the pipeline compiles using the 2D Renderer:

• This enables 2D Lights to illuminate sprite textures.
• It supports Normal Maps on sprites to generate realistic 2D lighting depth.

Types of 2D Lights

You add 2D lights via GameObject -> Light -> 2D:

• Global Light 2D: Shines on all sprites in the scene (acts as ambient light).
• Spot Light 2D: Emits a cone or circle of light from a source point.
• Point Light 2D: Emits light in a circular shape.
• Freeform Light 2D: Allows editing a polygon outline path to cast custom light shapes.

Sprite Shadow Receiver & Caster

To enable shadows in 2D:

1. Add a Shadow Caster 2D component to a GameObject (like a wall sprite).
2. Define its shadow-casting boundary outline.
3. Configure the 2D Light component to enable shadows. The light will cast soft shadow shapes behind the caster.

Sprite Shape

Sprite Shape is a tool that tiles a sprite texture along a vector path.

• Used for drawing organic terrain, hills, paths, or circular platforms.
• You edit node handles in the scene to deform the path shape, and the texture stretches and tiles automatically.

TL;DR

• URP's 2D Renderer supports dynamic lights, shadows, and materials in 2D.
• Global, Spot, Point, and Freeform are the main 2D Light types.
• Shadow Caster 2D generates dynamic shadows when hit by 2D Lights.
• Sprite Shape dynamically bends sprite assets along editing node lines.