Unity VFX References

Quick Reference Guides for creating VFX in Unity.

VFX Tips

  1. Rule of VFX = Anticipation, Climax, Aftermath (Dissipation)
  2. When animating with shader graph, you will typically use the Time Node
  3. To create the effect where particles slow down towards the end of their duration. Use Limit Velocity over lifetime with speed = 3 and dampen = 0.15
  4. To create a blinking effect, use Color over lifetime, add 3 keys around 30% mark, and 3 keys around 70% mark and make the middle of each 3 keys with 0 alpha
  5. To create a single burst effect, disable Shape, set Emission rate over time = 0 and burst count = 1

Particle Systems

Here are some tips on how to use Unity’s Particle System.

Collision

  • set Type = World, and particles will collide with anything with collider

Emission

  • constant Emssion of particles - use Rate over time
  • short burst of particles - use Bursts

Velocity over Lifetime

  • control speed of particles

Renderer (Controls the Particle)

Renderer Mode

  • use stretched billboard for a long shape effect. The speed scale controls the length of the shape.

Custom Materials

  • set the material’s shader to Universal Render Pipeline/Particles/Unlit
  • set the surface options –> surface type to Transparent
  • use emission to control colour intensity
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