Journal 26 — Post Processing in Unity

In this example, we want to add post processing effects to a practice game in Unity. These settings can be used to affect the camera properties and visual style of the game. To add these effects, we first need to go to the Package Manager and install the post processing package.

Unity Window drop down menu, select Package Manager

In the Package Manager window, make sure you view the packages associated with the Unity Registry.

Unity Package Manager

After the package is installed, we want to add an empty game object where we will attach a new component called the Post Process Volume.

Unity Hierarchy, need empty game object for post processing effects

Unity Inspector, update Post Processing Volume game object

Unity Inspector, add Post-process Volume component

Once the Post Process Volume component has been added, we want to make sure the settings are global. Then we can select a new post process profile for this game.

Unity Post-process volume global settings and profile

Now we can add effects!

Unity Post-process add effects

However…. In order for these effects to be visible, we need to update two items: the main camera needs a post process layer component added, and the post process layer needs to be updated.

Unity Main Camera, add Post-process Layer component

Unity Main Camera Post-process Layer settings

On the post processing volume game object, we want to add a new custom layer.

Unity, add custom layer

Unity Layers, Post Processing custom layer

Unity Post Processing Volume layer

Once this post processing layer is set, go back to the main camera and update the blending layer.

Unity Main Camera layer updates

In the next Journal, I will go through a few of the post process effects, and show you the results of the results in a comparison.

Thank you for your time!