--- title: "VFX for 2D projects" content_type: tutorial url: "https://learn.unity.com/pathway/game-development/unit/visual-effects/tutorial/vfx-for-2d-projects?language=en" language: en container_type: pathway container_title: "Game Development" container_url: "https://learn.unity.com/pathway/game-development.md?language=en&version=6.3" unit_title: "Visual effects" unit_url: "https://learn.unity.com/pathway/game-development/unit/visual-effects?language=en&version=6.3" standalone_markdown_url: "https://learn.unity.com/tutorial/vfx-for-2d-projects.md?language=en&version=6.3" previous_title: "Challenge: Add some magic to your scene " previous_url: "https://learn.unity.com/pathway/game-development/unit/visual-effects/tutorial/challenge-add-some-magic-to-your-scene-2?language=en&version=6.3" previous_markdown_url: "https://learn.unity.com/pathway/game-development/unit/visual-effects/tutorial/challenge-add-some-magic-to-your-scene-2.md?language=en&version=6.3" next_title: "Add VFX to your game" next_url: "https://learn.unity.com/pathway/game-development/unit/visual-effects/tutorial/add-vfx-to-your-game?language=en&version=6.3" next_markdown_url: "https://learn.unity.com/pathway/game-development/unit/visual-effects/tutorial/add-vfx-to-your-game.md?language=en&version=6.3" difficulty: beginner duration_minutes: 10 unity_version: - "6.3" supported_unity_versions: - name: "6.3" url: "https://learn.unity.com/pathway/game-development/unit/visual-effects/tutorial/vfx-for-2d-projects.md?language=en&version=6.3" last_updated: "2026-08-04T14:24:16.000Z" --- # VFX for 2D projects This tutorial guides you through applying your 3D VFX knowledge to 2D Unity projects. This tutorial guides you through applying your 3D VFX knowledge to 2D Unity projects. ## 1. Overview You’ve made VFX for 3D projects, including fire effects, environmental weather effects (snow/rain), and burst particles. In this tutorial, you’ll explore a 2D version of the 3D scene with similar VFX implementation and you’ll see how that VFX functionality would be similar or different. ![Fire pit at the center of rocky area with rain drops falling and splashing on the ground.](https://storage.googleapis.com/learn-platform-bucket-production/tutorial/d0b61ccf-7bc9-40e6-a793-3b144e3ff5e4/versions%5B_key==%227eed07b1e3e0%22%5D.sections%5B_key==%223f051e2f2666%22%5D.body%5B_key==%2285bdc37eeee9%22%5D.image/VFX_1_Overview_20260123_055745.png) ## 2. Experience the 2D_VFX scene In this step, you'll open the **CreativeCore_2D** project and then explore the **2D VFX** demo scene within it. [Video](https://storage.googleapis.com/learn-platform-bucket-production/tutorial/d0b61ccf-7bc9-40e6-a793-3b144e3ff5e4/versions%5B_key==%227eed07b1e3e0%22%5D.sections%5B_key==%2243427eaccf6b%22%5D.body%5B_key==%221731ae82b6fc%22%5D.overviewVideo/VFX_2_Demo_20260123_060834.mp4) # Instructions To test out and explore the **2D** **VFX** scene, follow these instructions: **1. Download and open the CreativeCore_2D project:** - If you’ve already downloaded the **CreativeCore_2D** project in a previous unit, open it now using the Unity Hub. - If you haven’t downloaded it yet, you can download the project [here](https://storage.googleapis.com/learn-platform-bucket-production/pathway/72351e57-61aa-4006-9a0c-ce8adc3a4797/units%5B_key==%22d33247785d76%22%5D.materials%5B_key==%227bf789466c85%22%5D.file/creative-core-2d_6.3_20260128_002707.zip) and then open it using the Unity Hub. - When the project is open in the Unity Editor, verify you see a **CreativeCore_2D** folder within your **Project** window, containing several subfolders. **2. Open the CC_VFX_2D scene:** - Go to **Assets** > **CreativeCore_2D** > **Scenes**, then open **CC_VFX_2D_Scene**. **3.** **Enter Play mode and take note of the VFX elements:** - Enter Play mode. - Notice the following: - The fire particle effect, smoke, and fireflies look very similar to their 3D counterparts. - Press **Spacebar** to trigger the fire on/off, observing the smoke burst. - The rain appears to splash on the ground. - Exit Play mode when you are done. ## 3. Explore 2D vs 3D implementation When implementing visual effects in Unity 2D projects, you'll find both similarities and key differences compared to 3D projects. For each of the similarities and differences listed below, explore the project to make sure you understand how each of the features were implemented in 2D. # What's the same? ## Particle systems: Unity's Built-in Particle System can be used in both 2D and 3D projects to create various effects like smoke, fire, and explosions. The core modules (**Emission**, **Shape**, **Color over Lifetime**, **Size over Lifetime**, etc.) function the same way. - Select one of the GameObjects with a **Particle** **System** component (the fire, the rising smoke, or the smoke puff). - Explore the enabled modules to see how the effect is configured. ![Smoke Particle System selected showing the Particle System modules open in the Inspector window.](https://storage.googleapis.com/learn-platform-bucket-production/tutorial/d0b61ccf-7bc9-40e6-a793-3b144e3ff5e4/versions%5B_key==%227eed07b1e3e0%22%5D.sections%5B_key==%22195f4d86e07b%22%5D.body%5B_key==%22df3aeffb0fb1%22%5D.image/VFX_3.1_ParticleSystem_20260123_061019.png) ## VFX Graph: For more complex and optimized effects with millions of particles, VFX Graph can be utilized in 2D projects in the exact same way. In this project, the rain and its splashes are made with VFX Graphs. - Select either the **VFX_Graph_RainDrops** or the **VFX_Graph_RainSplashes** GameObject. - In the **Visual Effect** component, select the **Edit** button next to the **Asset Template** property to open the **VFX Graph editor** window. - Explore how the VFX Graph is configured. ![The VFX_Graph_RainDrops is selected, highlighting all of the raindrops in the Scene view. The VFX Graph window is also open, showing a zoomed out view of the VFX Graph blocks.](https://storage.googleapis.com/learn-platform-bucket-production/tutorial/d0b61ccf-7bc9-40e6-a793-3b144e3ff5e4/versions%5B_key==%227eed07b1e3e0%22%5D.sections%5B_key==%22195f4d86e07b%22%5D.body%5B_key==%22e23edead47ee%22%5D.image/VFX_3.2_VFXGraph_20260123_061055.png) ## What's different? **2D properties of Particle Systems** In the **Main** module, the **Gravity Source** property can be set to **3D Physics** or **2D** **Physics**. Using 2D is more optimized for 2D projects. - In the **Hierarchy** window, select the **VFX_ParticleSystem_Smoke** GameObject and locate the **Gravity Source** property in the **Main** module. Notice this property is set to **2D Physics**. ![Main Module of the Particle System component expanded to show that the Gravity Source is set to 2D Physics.](https://storage.googleapis.com/learn-platform-bucket-production/tutorial/d0b61ccf-7bc9-40e6-a793-3b144e3ff5e4/versions%5B_key==%227eed07b1e3e0%22%5D.sections%5B_key==%22195f4d86e07b%22%5D.body%5B_key==%222a79fd9cd582%22%5D.image/VFX_3.3_2D-Physics_20260123_061236.png) Also, in the **Shape** module, you have the option of using a 3D emitter shape like a **Sphere** or a **Box**, but you also have 2D emitter shapes like a **Circle** or **Square**. You used a 3D emitter in the Sprite Flight course, which worked well, but it’s more optimized to use a 2D emitter shape. You just need to make sure you orient the emitter correctly relative to the camera. - Select the **VFX_ParticleSystem_Puff** GameObject. In the **Shape** module, the **Shape** should be set to **Circle** (a 2D shape). Open the **Shape** property dropdown to explore the variety of 3D and 2D shapes. ![Shape module expanded for a smoke puff particle system, showing the Shape property set to Circle.](https://storage.googleapis.com/learn-platform-bucket-production/tutorial/d0b61ccf-7bc9-40e6-a793-3b144e3ff5e4/versions%5B_key==%227eed07b1e3e0%22%5D.sections%5B_key==%22195f4d86e07b%22%5D.body%5B_key==%22a183b7b84c30%22%5D.image/VFX_3.3_2D-Shapes_20260123_061316.png) ## 4. Next steps You now understand how to implement VFX in 3D projects and how that translates almost perfectly to the creation of 2D projects. You’re ready to apply these concepts to your own personal projects, be they 3D or 2D.