Post Processing Effects: Color Grading - 2019.3

1. Post Processing Effects: Color Grading

If you are using Unity 2019.2 or lower, click here.

Color Grading, a term borrowed from the film industry, refers to the use of color to create or enhance a Scene’s mood. Here, we’ll explore Unity’s Color Grading tools.

2. Adding Color Grading

1. Select the Post-Process Volume in the Hierarchy view.

1. In the Post-Process Volume Inspector, click Add Override.

1. Select Post-processing > Color Grading.

1. If you’d like to use high-definition Color Grading, be sure to set Color Space in your project’s Player Settings (Other Settings > Rendering) to Linear.

3. Saturation

Check the box next to Saturation in the Tone section. Drag it all the way to 100 for a modern fantasy or comic book feel (Figure 01), or down to -100 to completely remove all color (Figure 02).

Figure 01: A Saturation level of 100 can take your visuals over the rainbow or down the rabbit hole.

Figure 02: Setting Saturation to -100 is great for creating classic noir or monster movie moods.

Saturation also works in combination with other effects. Set it to -100 and add a color filter (Figures 03-04).

Figure 03: Color filters can add dramatic flair to black-and-white images.

Figure 04: Color filters can enhance even black-and-white Scenes

4. Color Filter

Use Color Filter to create a subtle filmic look (Figures 05-06) or a dramatic alien-like or apocalyptic sky (Figures 07-08).

Figure 05: A pale red or brown can give the feel of dusty, vintage analog film footage.

Figure 06: Sometimes less is more

Figure 07: Unexpected colors work to add a sense of alarm or unease

Figure 08: Green skies tonight

5. Trackballs

Perhaps the most versatile, powerful effect in the Color Grading toolbox are the Trackballs, which function as color correction wheels to tint the shadows, midtones, and highlights of your image (Figures 09-10). This is useful for setting a certain mood or color motif, or recreating classic warm/cool color combinations.

Figure 09: If you’ve worked with color correction wheels, the Trackballs will feel familiar.

Figure 10: The Trackballs in action.

6. Conclusion

This has been a quick tour of just a few of the options available in the Color Grading toolbox. Try mixing and matching to find a combination that’s right for your project.