Render Pipelines

Improving visual quality of your Digital Twins

Introduction

Unity's rendering technology provides various ways to achieve outstanding visual quality in your projects, starting with the Built-In Render Pipeline and advancing to the Universal Render Pipeline (URP) and the High Definition Render Pipeline (HDRP).

Realvirtual.io is built on the Built-In (Standard) render pipeline, Unity's original rendering path. This pipeline is well-suited for a wide array of Digital Twins and offers the simplest entry point for beginners. Despite its broad applicability, it faces limitations in scalability and visual features compared to newer pipelines. Beginners are encouraged to start here, with the option to later upgrade to URP or HDRP for enhanced visual fidelity.

• Built-In Pipeline: Perfect for newcomers, it supports essential post-processing but is limited in scalability and advanced features. As a beginner you should stay on this render pipeline because it is easier to use. You can always transfer your project later on if needed.

• URP (Universal Render Pipeline): Strikes a balance between performance and visual quality, making it ideal for cross-platform projects and mid to high-end devices. Recommended for projects needing post-processing, high performance, and improved visual quality.

UR30 robot in URP

• HDRP (High Definition Render Pipeline): Aimed at achieving top-tier visuals with sophisticated lighting and materials, HDRP is best for projects focused on marketing, sales applications, and rendered videos, requiring high-performance graphics cards.

UR30 robot in HDRP

For more information about render pipelines please check the Unity docs.

Unity - Manual: Render pipelines

Unity documentation about rendering pipelines

Example of a UR30 robot with HDRP render pipeline

Switching render pipelines

With the release of version 2022.11, transitioning between render pipelines in Unity has been simplified, catering to both newcomers and seasoned developers. However, beginners are advised to continue using the Standard Render Pipeline due to its straightforward settings and ease of use.

Steps for Switching Render Pipelines:

1. Access Through Main Menu: The option to switch render pipelines is available directly from the main menu realvirtual > RenderPipelines

2. Backup Your Project: It's crucial to create a backup of your project before proceeding with the switch. This precaution ensures that you can revert to your original settings should the need arise, preserving your work.

3. Confirmation Prompt: Upon initiating the switch, you'll receive a prompt confirming your decision. This process installs all necessary packages and updates the materials in your current scene, along with those in any packages and project materials, to be compatible with the selected pipeline.