Light a VFX Graph asset with 2D lights in URP

Create a Visual Effect Graph asset and then light it with a 2D light by using Shader Graphs.

Visual Effect Graph assets are compatible with the 2D Renderer by using Shader Graphs. Follow the steps below to first create a Visual Effect Graph asset and then light it with a 2D light.

Prerequisites

Refer to the Visual Effect Graph’s requirements and compatibility for the required versions of packages for your Project.

Create a Visual Effect Graph asset

To create a Visual Effect Graph asset (VFX asset):

1. Create a new VFX asset by selecting Assets > Create > Visual Effects > Visual Effect Graph. The VFX asset is then created in the Asset folder of the Project window.
   

2. Double-click the asset to open the Visual Effect Graph. To choose a ShaderA program that runs on the GPU. More info
   See in Glossary Graph asset, go to the Output Particle QuadA primitive object that resembles a plane but its edges are only one unit long, it uses only 4 vertices, and the surface is oriented in the XY plane of the local coordinate space. More info
   See in Glossary pane and locate Shader Graph and select the asset picker (circle).
   

3. In the Select VFX Shader Graph window, open the context menu (right-click) and enable Show Packages results.
   Select VFXSpriteLit or VFXSpriteUnlit depending on whether you want the Visual Effect to be affected by lights. For this example, select VFXSpriteLit so that you can light the Visual Effect.

Light a Visual Effect with 2D lights

To light a Visual Effect:

1. Create a Visual Effect GameObjectThe 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 in the Hierarchy window.
   

2. In the Visual Effect properties, locate Asset Template and select the asset picker (circle). In the Select VisualEffectAsset window, select the VFX asset created earlier.
   

3. To light the Visual Effect, add 2D light to 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.
   

Additional resources

• Using a Shader Graph in a visual effect