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Challenge — Enhancing Visual Quality with Post-Processing Effects

Tutorial
Beginner
+10 XP
30 Mins
(7)
Overview
Summary
In this tutorial, you will learn how to increase your Scene’s realism with a Post-Processing stack.
Select your Unity version
Last updated: December 23, 2021
2019.3
2019.2
2019.1
2018.4
Language
English

1.Overview

In this challenge, you will learn how to Increase your Scene’s realism with a Post-Processing stack.
To do so, you’ll need to:
  1. Import the Post-Processing package from the Package Manager
  2. Add the Post-Processing Layer script to your Camera, adjust its Layer to match the Post-Processing Layer, and add the Post-Processing Volume script to an empty GameObject
  3. Create a Post-Processing Profile (PPP) and add it to the Post-Processing Volume profile
  4. Adjust the Layers to match as the Post-Processing Layer
  5. Add and adjust effects (Bloom, Anti-aliasing, Ambient Occlusion, and Color Grading) in the Post-Processing Profile to get a desired aesthetic

2.Import or Update the Post-Processing Package

Use the Package Manager to import the Post-Processing stack so you have access to all of the effects.
Note: The Package Manager is already installed for the challenge Scene. The steps below are included as a reference for future implementation.
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Installing the Post Processing package
  1. Navigate to the Windows menu (at the top of the Editor) and select Package Manager.
  2. Select All Packages, and click Post-Processing.
  3. Confirm that the latest version is selected (by checking the version number in the upper right), and click Install to bring in the Post-Processing stack.

3.Set Up the Camera

Set up your Main Camera for post-processing effects by changing its Layer to PostProcessing. Add the Post-Processing Layer script, assign the Main Camera as the trigger (if it isn’t already), and change the Post-Processing Layer script’s Layer to PostProcessing so it matches the Camera.  
(Note: You will need to make a new layer and call it PostProcessing if this is the first time you're setting up the post-processing effects.)
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Configuring the PP Layer script to the Camera and turning Anti-aliasing on to smooth out edges
  1. Select the Camera and add a new Layer. Change the Camera’s Layer to PostProcessing.
  2. With the Camera selected, and in the Inspector, add the Post-Processing Layer script component by dragging the Post-Processing script into the Camera’s Inspector under Add Component.
  3. Change the Post-Processing Layer component’s Layer to PostProcessing so it matches the Camera.
  4. Turn on Fast-Approximate Anti-aliasing so the Scene’s objects appear smoother.
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Turn on Fast-Approximate Anti-aliasing

4.Create the Post-Process Volume

Set up your PP Volume by creating an empty GameObject, renaming it PP Volume, changing its Layer to PostProcessing, and adding the Post-Processing Volume component so you can control which areas of the Scene receive post-processing effects.
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Adding the Post-Process Volume to an empty GameObject
  1. Create a new empty GameObject.
  2. Select the GameObject and change its Layer to PostProcessing so it matches the Camera.
  3. In the new GameObject’s Inspector, add the Post-Process Volume component.
  4. In the Inspector, enable Is Global so the PP Volume affects the entire Scene.
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Enabling Is Global in the Inspector window

5.Make and Add a New Post-Processing Profile. Add Ambient Occlusion, Bloom, and Color Grading.

Make and add a new Post-Processing Profile to the Post-Process Volume to control which effects the Camera uses. Configure Ambient Occlusion, Bloom, and Color Grading in the new Profile’s Inspector to turn on the effects.
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Setting up the Post Processing Profile
  1. Create a Post Processing Profile by selecting the PP Volume GameObject and clicking New in the Inspector. This automatically creates and assigns a new PP Profile.
  2. Add Ambient Occlusion, Bloom, and Color Grading to the new Profile.
  3. Choose the Filmic (ACES) Tonemapper and boost the Post-Exposure to 1 to help emphasize the lit objects in the Scene. (Filmic (ACES) is a popular effect used to increase realism and contrast in objects and is commonly used in commercials.)
(Note: Some effects require you to turn on specific settings. Adjust the intensities and modify the settings by selecting the boxes under each effect in the Profile.)
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Explore — Modify Auto-Exposure for More Light
Find that your Scene is a little too dark? Adjust the Camera’s auto-exposure level in the Post-Processing Profile. This will make your Scene appear a bit brighter due to the increase in exposure (similar to increasing the exposure time on a camera in the real world).
Tip — Turn off the Grid
You can turn off the grid by going to the Scene’s navigation bar (at the top of the Scene window) and toggling off “Show Grid” (Scene Window > Gizmos > Show Grid). This will eliminate the wire grid representing the plane at a height of Y = 0;
Explore — Bake Your Lighting
Change all of the Scene objects to Static. In your Lighting Settings window (Windows > Rendering > Lighting Settings), ensure that auto-generate is turned off. Click Generate Lighting to bake your Scene’s lighting. This will make your Scene look much more realistic.
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Lighting Settings window

6.Key Takeaways

You've now added post-processing effects to your Scene, increasing the realism with more consistent lighting, shadows, and textures.
By completing this challenge, you’re now able to:
  1. Use Bloom to add more realistic light reflection to your Scene
  2. Use Ambient Occlusion to increase the shadow realism
  3. Use Anti-aliasing to smooth out objects' edges
  4. Use Color Grading and ACES to fine-tune the Scene’s look and feel

Challenge — Enhancing Visual Quality with Post-Processing Effects
Challenge — Enhancing Visual Quality with Post-Processing Effects
General Tutorial Discussion
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1. Overview
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2. Import or Update the Post-Processing Package
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3. Set Up the Camera
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4. Create the Post-Process Volume
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5. Make and Add a New Post-Processing Profile. Add Ambient Occlusion, Bloom, and Color Grading.
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6. Key Takeaways
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