Add shadows from 2D lights in URP

To add shadows from 2D light in the Universal Render Pipeline (URP), add the Shadow Caster 2D component to a GameObject. Follow these steps:

Note: To see cast shadows, you must have a 2D light in your scene with its Shadows property enabled. For more information, refer to 2D lights in URP.

1. Select the GameObject you want to cast shadows.
2. In the Inspector window, select Add Component.
3. Type Shadow Caster 2D, then select the Shadow Caster 2D item.

Change the shape of a shadow

By default, the shadow is the shape defined in the Custom Outline window of the Sprite Editor. Unity displays the shape as a white outline in the Scene view.

To set a specific shape for the shadow, do the following:

1. Select the GameObject with the Shadow Caster 2D component.
2. In the Inspector window, set the Casting Source property to Shape Editor.
3. Select Edit Shape.

Adjust the shape in the Scene view by doing the following:

• To move a point, click and drag the point. You can also select the point, then manually enter the new position in the Position property of the Shadow Caster 2D component.
• To add a point, click a line at the position you want to add the point.

Merge shadows from multiple GameObjects

To merge shadows from multiple GameObjects into a single shadow, add a Composite Shadow Caster 2D to a parent GameObject. Follow these steps:

1. Create an empty GameObject.
2. In the Inspector window, select Add Component.
3. Type Composite Shadow Caster 2D, then select the Composite Shadow Caster 2D item.
4. Add GameObjects as children of the GameObject in the Hierarchy window. If the child GameObjects have Shadow Caster 2D components, their shadows are merged.

Additional resources

• Shadow Caster 2D component reference for URP