Version: 2021.2
Hexagonal Tilemaps
Importing and preparing Sprites for an Isometric Tilemap

Isometric Tilemaps

In addition to Hexagonal Tilemaps, Unity enables you to create Isometric Tilemaps. The isometric perspective displays all three X, Y, and Z axes, so you can add pseudo-depth and height to a TilemapA GameObject that allows you to quickly create 2D levels using tiles and a grid overlay. More info
See in Glossary
.

Isometric tilemaps are popular in strategy games, as the isometric perspective allows you to simulate 3D gameplay elements such as different elevations and line-of-sight. This lets players make tactical decisions regarding movement and positioning during gameplay.

Isometric Tilemap workflow

  1. Import and prepare Sprites for an Isometric Tilemap.
  2. Create an Isometric Tilemap.
  3. Create an Isometric Tile Palette.
  4. Set the Tilemap Renderer Mode and settings.
    • Set up Chunk Mode sorting with SpriteA 2D graphic objects. If you are used to working in 3D, Sprites are essentially just standard textures but there are special techniques for combining and managing sprite textures for efficiency and convenience during development. More info
      See in Glossary
      Atlas.
    • Set the Custom Axis Sort mode.
  5. Customize Scriptable Brushes to handle Z position changes.

  • Isometric Tilemaps added in 2018.3 NewIn20183
Hexagonal Tilemaps
Importing and preparing Sprites for an Isometric Tilemap