Graphic Future in Unity? – LWRP, HDRP, Shader Graph, Visual Effect Graph, Ray Tracing

I’ve been checking the latest Unity advancements for the graphics. I’m a little bit confused about the best approach to take for my games and where to invest time in development. I’d love to get the feedback from the Unity team on this one if possible, and other people.

With the Shader Graph and Visual Effect Graph being exclusive to the SRP, I really feel that the Unity team is pushing people to use the SRP because they want it to be the future of graphics in Unity.

My disappointment
I was excited about the SRP, Shader Graph and Visual Effect Graph. However, after further investigation, I’m not convinced anymore to use any of these in the short terms. Frankly, I’m kind of disappointed to see the limitations of using the SRP. I know the SRP is still young, but the development direction that it takes makes me think that developing a game is more complicated. Here are some thoughts about my concerns.

1. Cross-platform development
Unity has the tag line “Build once, deploy anywhere”. With the SRP, that is not true anymore. The cross-platform is broken at the moment.

How is the SRP going to be adapted in the future to continue the cross-platform development?

2. We cannot have both LWRP and HDRP in the same project
I’m wondering how this is going to an improvement to make a game. In other words, if you want to publish on the Nintendo Switch, you cannot use the HDRP, only the LWRP. If you use the LWRP, you cannot extend your graphics to the best that other platforms offer.

Limiting myself to choose a RP in the development is a huge problem. How is this going to be handled in the future? I wish I had a way to harmonize everything and use the best features if available at runtime and not having to choose one RP during the development time and preventing me from developing to the maximum that Unity can offer.

The common approach has usually been to create a game with everything and the players could enable/disabled certain features in the options based on their computer performances, but rarely in development.

3. I feel forced to integrate the SRP to use the latest technologies
One of the reasons why I wanted to use the SRP was to use the Shader Graph and the Visual Effect Graph simply because they depend on the SRP. However with the trade-off, I’m losing too many features to move to the SRP and sadly I’m also losing the possibility to use these great tools.

4. Technology maturity
None of them are mature. Even though the LWRP is in production, there are still a lot of missing features that we had in the Built-In RP. I wanted to get more flexibility on the RP and I was going to use it, but the trade-off is a problem right now. I understand that Unity is updating the LWRP with the Built-In features, but for now, it doesn’t look like it’s going to have everything the Built-In RP has. I’m curious to see what the final plan and features are about the SRP.

5. Ray Tracing
The ray tracing integration has been announced in Unity recently. I don’t know much about it, but to me it looks like it’s the future. The problem right now is that we need an RTX graphic card, but eventually we’ll get there. I’m wondering if the ray tracing will require the SRP. If not, I would prefer to invest time in the ray tracing in the long term. The graphics seem naturally better than anything else. I feel that the ray tracing will lower the graphic gap between Unity and Unreal because, from my point of view, the graphic quality appears relying more on the hardware than different software techniques developed by each company.

Final thought
The SRP might be great for people having precise needs and not needing every graphic feature that the Built-In RP has. I love the concept of having more control, but with the trade-off about certain features and especially the cross-platform development, it’s not necessarily an improvement for me and I need that. At the moment, I want to invest time in technologies that will matter in the future, but I don’t see a clear and easy direction about which technologies to use, even though I feel that Unity is trying to push people towards the SRP despite its young age and limitations.

Is it possible to have a clearer roadmap about this in the long term?

 

the future (likely by 2030) software runs server side and sent to client as streaming video
no downloads or installs + security

will go HDRP and node based imo

 

A post concerning the Ray Tracing was published today.
https://blogs.unity3d.com/2019/04/26/ray-tracing-what-does-it-mean-to-you/

It mentions the HDRP as a requirement.

That clearly means that if you want to use the ray tracing (even as an option for certain platforms), you have to say goodbye to cross-platform portability. That’s the kind of things that disappoint me with the new approach. If we could add the HDRP as an option for the player without compromising the project, or losing other possibilities, that would be great.

 

I’m also looking for some info about the future and some certainty, so I stumbled upon your thread.

I get what you’re saying. When I was working on my last game, it started as a small iOS game with only 3 levels, but it slowly grew larger and we eventually published it on PC and PS4 with upgraded graphics. Currently, it’s all contained in one project. I just turn a couple of switches and build for each platform from the same project.

Now, I’m trying to decide if I should use the Built-in RP or LWRP/HDRP for the next game. What I’m mainly concerned about is if Built-in RP will get deprecated and if it will not work on PS5 in the end.

It does feel like it’s slowly being abandoned because new tools are not being developed for it (like ShaderGraph and Vfx as you mentioned). There are third-party packages in the Asset Store (Amplify Shader Editor and GPU Particle System) but if Built-in RP gets deprecated in 4-5 years time, it doesn’t make sense starting a new project with it now.

I’d also like if someone at Unity could chime in and help with this decision. But maybe even they themselves didn’t decide on the long term fate of the Built-in RP?

The main problem we have with HDRP is that RenderWithShader doesn’t exist in it and judging by the response by @SebLagarde in this thread, it’s uncertain if it ever will or if there’s going to be a replacement. We have entire levels planned that are completely dependent on this function in the new game, so I have no idea what direction to choose now. It’s really a bad time now to be working on a new game it seems

Having LTS Unity versions is helpful somewhat in regard that we can predict the Built-in RP will be there in two years time, but our game will take 2-3 years to develop and we’d want to support it for at least 2 years after release. That means we’d need Built-in RP supported in Unity 2022 LTS and working on PS5 (SDK versions up until 2024), or RenderWithShader working in HDRP next year. I wonder which one of those two is less uncertain.

 

I completely agree with the essence of this thread. Throw into the mix the fact that apparently render pipelines are going to fork fundamental Unity functionality per pipeline. Specifically, the LWRP is overhauling cameras so there's no camera stacking in the traditional sense for that pipeline:
https://forum.unity.com/threads/lwr...-2-1-19-1-are-out.562291/page-11#post-4440742
Once Unity starts going down this road of having render pipelines on their own development paths with their own unique toolsets, it's going to be a nightmare. Definitely say goodbye to develop once deploy everywhere. Moreover, it could evolve into a system where each pipeline feels like it's own separate game engine as far as development goes.

I'm in a similar position with the poster above who is having migraines trying to navigate a long term project. Which pipeline I choose seems critical since they are so incompatible and yet it's hard to gauge which features will land where two years from now when I hope to launch. This amorphous pipeline landscape is truly frustrating and debilitating for developers since it no longer seems I'm developing with Unity - but instead forced to choose which Unity basket to put all my eggs in.

 

I somehow agree with you. First, they said about modularity and how cool all things will work. Now they made built-in Post-Processing exclusively for HDRP instead of a modular package as it was before.

For me, that's a clear sign of some problems with that "modular" approach. I am really concerned about the future of SRP in Unity, and also about all the new stuff (DOTS, etc).

I don't know what we will have in the end. I think there are only 2 outcomes.

1. It will be a flexible and powerful workflow, with its problems, but it will deliver.
2. It will be an utter mess to work with and, as it was previously stated,
"say goodbye to develop once deploy everywhere".

Currently, I think Unity should get as much feedback as possible to avoid the second outcome.

Personally, my overall feeling about SRP is mixed. I was hyped since the announce, but the more I work with it (currently LWRP for a mobile project) the more I like the built-in RP.

But I think Unity needs a new rendering tech, but maybe the whole HDRP/LWRP thing wasn't a good idea...

 

As it stands, if I switch to HDRP, my graphics will be worse, because none of the assets I use support it. Some of these assets are complex, so they are waiting for sufficient demand before porting anything over, but then they'd have two complex assets to support which break with every unity update... It seems like it's not happening.

Unity know how painful it is to support multiple pipelines since they didn't bother to put Shader Graph/etc into Built-In, and cancelled visual scripting for monobehaviours...

 

SRP = Pass the Buck ;

Sounds great initially but a major mistake, don't forget ' Unity ' to unify not massacre . There are significant fundamental things missing from both pipelines and it will be, mark my words, another three years to be established in one form or another. There is a saying to keep an open mind, but not open enough so your brain falls out, and the ' democratization ' effort by way of SRP (in the manner it is being implemented now) is not good.

 

I think eventually there will be grand unification of HDRP and LWRP into one SRP but it needs smaller steps to do so.

 

I would just keep evolving built in as the deploy everywhere unifying visual, and have optimized option with HD and LW srp, with builtin being the pivot to convert toward either. So start built in, convert to any srp for extra specialization. Best process imho.

The reality is that built in is probably doom due to legacy roadblock anyway.

 

I actually think SRP is the right way forward. Anything where in a world, you can write in C# or subset of it, and it's faster than native C++, I think that world is amazing.

We're not there yet but I think Unity staff will agree with my assessment that ultimately it's bringing AAA level engine development closer to the masses than it's ever been before.

 

there AAA dev

and

there is deploy everywhere

Tough choice

 

Yeah, this word “yet” is the point It’s the uncertainty that’s really the problem now in this transition period. There’s something that isn’t ready yet (hdrp) and we don’t know what form it will have in the end (eg. with RenderWithShader or not?), and there’s something that’s production ready and working (builtin) but it looks like it’s slowly being abandoned (no new tools for it, like vfx, shader graph, planar pbr reflection).

We’re already using our budget and so far it’s going fine with built-in, but now is almost the time to make a final decision about which rendering pipeline to use. It’s going to be harder to switch later. I’d much rather continue with built-in but what if they never make it work on PS5 and support it to 2024?

I guess it’s like Brexit trying to do business without certainty.

To be fair though, I haven’t really contacted and asked anyone at Unity about this yet but I’ll have to eventually. We can still afford a few months of work without deciding on the pipeline so wait and watch is our current strategy.

 

Any change in Unity that allows me to take matters into my own hands(SRP) and, possibly, shoot myself in the foot is infinitely better than the current situation where I have to make do with the limited set of options that the devs decided necessary to implement. Many of the current long-standing problems will dissolve as soon as we receive direct means of fixing them ourselves.

I just hope that UT sticks to their recent claims and really lets us get into the meat of it.That, and, well, that they will break their long standing tradition of implementing good ideas in dumb and poor ways.

 

Is anyone using LWRP? I’m curious how stable it is and if possible post some images of what looks you have achieved with it. I’m really nervous switching to it even though Unity is calling it production ready.

 

I can see that I’m far from being alone concerning the new SRP issues.

Although the LWRP is in production, all this stuff around the SRP is still very new and young. I doubt this is going to stay like this for years. Otherwise, Unity would lose its developers in the long run. If the developers are not able to develop their games as they used to do, they will find other game engines, probably Unreal.

Speaking of Unreal, has anyone here tried it? I haven’t. In Unreal, I think the developers don’t have to choice their rendering pipeline to be able to develop for many platforms.

I’m still really surprised that Unity decided to choose to fork the portability that way. In my opinion, Unity wanted so badly to compete with Unreal on the graphic side to show the same quality, they created a “short-term infrastructure” to come up with something that was competing graphically. That comes with the drawbacks that we’re discussing. Unity is trying to be as good as Unreal about the graphics and this is what many developers want (with portability also). Unreal is probably taking too much market share on the graphics side and this probably why Unity has come up with the SRP. From my point of view, when it comes to AAA graphics being so important, the developers choose Unreal instead of Unity.

For indie developers, the SRP is not where the money is. I wouldn’t be too worried at the moment. I’m more concerned about making profits than having AAA graphics ... but graphics are still important to make profitable games. For the moment, I will choose portability and stability over new functionalities.

 

I’m currently working in both Unreal and Unity and I would have to say the graphics in both are very good.

From what I’ve seen the SRP it’s very powerful and intuitive. My only hesitation to switch is stability witch generally comes with new features. Your post had many assumptions as to the reasons for the SRP but I believe it to give use more control.

Both engines are amazing and competitive with good and bad. I believe feature and power wise they will both end up in the same place. So for me I have to ask myself the question, how do I want to work given I can achieve similar results for what is required. And that is where unity wins. Now there are cases where unreal is the better software for the job and I will use it but given the choice I would pick Unity.

.

 

I find the discussion in this thread very valuable. Being in the situation that a choice about the render pipeline direction of a project has to be made soon, I wonder if there are any new thoughts on the topic of URP/ HDRP. With roots in 3d graphics and offline rendering, I've recently noticed the trend of unification (in the form of adaption of the universal scene description format that can be used with different render engines). As I understand, unity seems to go another way completely by splitting development into two incompatible strands.

I'd be grateful for your thoughts and knowledge on the matter.
Are there plans of merging the two pipelines in the future to make it easier to deploy a project to very different platforms? Or will it be made possible to have both pipelines in one project? How do you guys make informed decisions now when you want to make a game ranging from mobile-ready to next-gen consoles without compromising visual fidelity on the latter?

Thanks for yout input!
Felix

 

For me it's the same as in April, except now I'm hearing more demand from users for assets to support URP/HDRP. Although, one issue is HDRP does not support custom lit shaders that aren't using Shader Graph.

The situation seems the same as before — use built-in unless there is something your project requires that only the SRP's support. I am in a situation where switching to HDRP will not make my games look or perform better. I get soft shadows, volumetric lighting and a shader graph third-party assets, and none of these are even crucial to the project.

I don't see the HDRP merging with anything. URP is their replacement for built-in, but it doesn't replace it yet, unless maybe your game uses forward rendering.

 

I’m in the same boat. Graphic features required for our project are spread across all three pipelines Best I can do is hold off and see how each pipeline matures for example will shadergraph support tessellation? And will it be in URP or HDRP or both ? Really hard to choose a direction atm.

 

How about DIY SRP? Standard is a black box, HDRP is good but don't scalable down, and URP... ahh... it was started like simple example for new SRP feature, and somehow growth to some strange homunculus.

 

That should be the biggest strength of SRP, and I do expect some nice 3rd party SRPs to show up at some point, but right now the core SRP is not yet stabilized nor documented (case in point: the 2018 Catlike custom SRP tutorial that became obsolete with 2019), so investing time into a full featured renderer is not a hot proposition.

 

I have yet to come back to reading teh source, but I wonder how much is close where we can't do a franken custom HDRP anyway. I know light isn't accessible to layman in the shader graph, because HDRP light are quite complex beast, which is great because HDRP is mostly specialised to only high fidelity.

So making a game that scalable, it's either URP or built in. Be sure your need are covered by the given platform.

I wait for catlike coding to finish his new SRP tutorial to jump back to custom SRP and evaluate (which also mean being able to modify hdrp and urp if code are still available).

 

Using 3rd party plugins is a legal mess. It would take better part of a year to get a custom render pipeline to go through legal if not impossible. Most likely impossible