Types of 2D primitive GameObjects
Unity has import support for different image formats, such as .png or Adobe’s .psd, which gives you additional options when creating and preparing your 2D assets for your project. But if you want to create a quick prototype, Unity provides 2D primitive GameObjectsThe fundamental object in Unity scenes, which can represent characters, props, scenery, cameras, waypoints, and more. A GameObject’s functionality is defined by the Components attached to it. More info
See in Glossary to help you build your project, without needing to prepare and import your own assets.
This page details the dimensions and common uses of the available 2D primitive options.
Important: Your project must have the 2D Sprite package installed to enable the following 2D primitive options. The 2D Sprite package is automatically installed when you create a project with the 2D project template selected, or you can install the 2D Sprite package via the Package Manager.
Create a 2D primitive GameObject
To create one of these preset 2D primitive GameObjects, go to GameObject > 2D Object > Sprites or Create > 2D > Sprites and select one of the available options:
Default sprite dimensions
The default sprite size of the 2D primitives is 256 X 256 pixelsThe smallest unit in a computer image. Pixel size depends on your screen resolution. Pixel lighting is calculated at every screen pixel. More info
See in Glossary, with a pixels-per-unit (PPU) size of 256. This combination of dimensions and PPU value makes the sprite’s size equal to one Unity unitThe unit size used in Unity projects. By default, 1 Unity unit is 1 meter. To use a different scale, set the Scale Factor in the Import Settings when importing assets.
See in Glossary in the sceneA Scene contains the environments and menus of your game. Think of each unique Scene file as a unique level. In each Scene, you place your environments, obstacles, and decorations, essentially designing and building your game in pieces. More info
See in Glossary. There are two exceptions - the Capsule primitive is 256 X 512 pixels (1:2 units) in size, and the Isometric Diamond primitive is 256 X 128 pixels (1:0.5 units).
Triangle
The Triangle 2D primitive is white isosceles triangle with a base measuring one Unity unit in size. You can use it as a placeholder for various elements in your scene, such as obstacles or parts of the user interface. You can add the Polygon Collider 2D component to the primitive to have it interact with other GameObjects and the 2D physics system.
Square
The Square 2D primitive is a white square that’s 1 X 1 Unity units in size. You can use it as a placeholder for various elements, such as obstacles or platforms. You can add the Box Collider 2D component to the primitive to have it interact with other GameObjects and the 2D physics system. You can select the 9-Sliced option for a more scalable sprite that resizes dynamically.
Circle
The Circle 2D primitive is a white circle that’s one Unity unit in diameter. You can use it as a placeholder for various elements in your scene, such as obstacles or props. You can add the Circle Collider 2D to the primitive to have it interact with other GameObjects and the 2D physics system.
Capsule
The Capsule 2D primitive is a white capsule that’s 1 X 2 units in size. You can use it as a placeholder for various elements in your scene, such as an obstacle, prop, or a stand-in for a character. You can add a Capsule Collider 2D to the primitive to have it interact with other GameObjects and the 2D physics system.
Isometric Diamond
The Isometric Diamond 2D primitive is a white diamond-shaped sprite that’s 1 X 0.5 units in size. This sprite is often used as a placeholder for Tiles placed on Isometric Tilemaps. The pixels at the top and bottom of this sprite are slightly cropped to improve tiling.
Hexagon Flat-Top
The Hexagon Flat-Top 2D primitive is a regular hexagon that’s one unit wide, with its flat sides oriented towards the top and bottom. This sprite is often used as a placeholder for Tiles placed on Hexagonal Flat-Top Tilemaps. The pixels to the left and right of this sprite are slightly cropped to improve tiling.
Hexagon Point-Top
The Hexagon Point-Top 2D primitive is a regular hexagon that’s one unit tall, with its points oriented towards the top and bottom. This sprite is often used as a sprite placeholder for Tiles placed on a Hexagonal Pointed-Top Tilemaps. The pixels to the top and bottom of this sprite are slightly cropped to improve tiling.
9-Sliced
The 9-Sliced 2D primitive is a white square with rounded corners that’s 1 X 1 units in size. This sprite has been 9-sliced with borders measuring 64 pixels on each side. This sprite is primarily used with the Sprite RendererA component that lets you display images as Sprites for use in both 2D and 3D scenes. More info
See in Glossary component’s Sliced and Tiled Draw Modes. You can use the 9-sliced sprite as a flexible placeholder for various elements in your scene and project (see 9-slicing sprites for more information). You can add a Box Collider 2D with Auto Tiling enabled to have the sprite interact with other objects and the 2D physics system.
Additional resources
- 2D game development quickstart guide
- SpritesA 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 - TilemapA GameObject that allows you to quickly create 2D levels using tiles and a grid overlay. More info
See in Glossary - Physics Reference 2D