Introduction
Graphics are a very important element when creating games. Better graphics make your game more appealing and enjoyable to players.
In this article, we’ll explain easy ways to improve your game’s graphics, even if you’re a beginner!
By default, Unity’s settings can sometimes give your game a basic or “beginner” look — so let’s explore how to enhance it.
Below is how the game looks before applying these changes:
Below is how it looks after the changes:
How to Improve Graphics
1. Adjust Lighting Settings
You can brighten up your scene by changing the lighting settings. Open Window > Rendering > Lighting.
In the Lighting window, the Environment Lighting Source is set to Skybox by default.
By selecting Color instead, you can change the overall brightness and color of the scene.
When you try changing the settings, even adjusting the brightness alone can significantly change the scene’s impression.
Below is how it looked before the change:
Below is how it looks after the change:
2. Apply Effects to the Camera Using Post Processing
Post Processing is a free, built-in Unity feature that lets you apply various effects to your camera. Using Post Processing can further enhance your graphics.
Open Window > Package Manager, then find and install Post Processing from the Unity Registry.
Add a Layer for Post Processing to the Camera
In the Camera’s Inspector, add a new layer for post processing. In this example, we named the layer PostProcess.
Add the Post-process Layer Component to the Camera
In the Camera’s Inspector, add the Post-process Layer component.
Set the Layer to the PostProcess layer you added earlier.
Creating a Post-process Volume
Create an empty GameObject in the Hierarchy and add the Post-process Volume component to it.
Set its Layer to the PostProcess layer you created earlier.
Click New next to the Profile field. From Add Effect, choose and add the effects you want. Here, we’ll introduce some common ones.
Color Grading
One of the most commonly used post-processing effects, it changes the overall color tone of your scene.
In this example, we adjusted it slightly toward warmer colors.
Bloom
This effect makes bright areas glow, creating a dreamy or magical atmosphere in your graphics.
3. Use Shaders from the Asset Store
The Unity Asset Store offers many assets that can help improve your graphics. Here are some popular ones:
Beautify 3 – Advanced Post Processing
This asset provides more advanced effects than the standard post-processing stack. It can simulate sunlight and add effects that make your game look like it was filmed with a real camera.
Beautify 3 – Advanced Post Processing
Conclusion
That was an introduction to ways you can improve your graphics!
The settings themselves are easy to apply, so be sure to give them a try.
