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Change SRP

What's SRP?

SRP (Scriptable Render Pipeline) is a programmable rendering architecture provided by Unity that allows developers to customize rendering behavior based on project requirements. Unity officially offers two main SRP implementations:

  • URP (Universal Render Pipeline): Optimized for cross-platform performance, suitable for most projects.
  • HDRP (High Definition Render Pipeline): Prioritizes high visual fidelity, ideal for high-end platforms and photorealistic projects.

How to Check the Current Render Pipeline

You can check which render pipeline your project is currently using by following these steps:

  1. Open the Unity Editor and go to Edit > Project Settings > Graphics

Graphics Settings

  1. Look at the Set Default Render Pipeline Asset field:

    • If it shows a HDRenderPipelineAsset, the project is using HDRP

    Graphics Settings

    • If it shows a UniversalRenderPipelineAsset, the project is using URP Graphics Settings

Change rendering pipeline

In this project, both HDRP and URP scenes are preconfigured separately.

  1. Change the Default Render Pipeline in Edit -> ProjectSettings -> Graphics, and set it to HDRenderPipelineAsset. Graphics Settings

  2. Open the AutowareSimulationDemo scene. Graphics Settings

  3. Add Scripting Define Symbols
    After switching the render pipeline, you need to change the scripting define symbol from URP to HDRP to enable HDRP-specific conditional compilation.

    • In the Unity Editor, go to Edit -> Project Settings -> Player

    • In the right panel, expand Other Settings

    • Find the Scripting Define Symbols field under the Script Compilation section

    • Remove URP and add HDRP Graphics Settings

  4. Restart the Unity Editor after changing the render pipeline.

    • Especially when switching from URP to HDRP, the following error may occur: 
      Exception: Invalid import, you are importing a texture handle that wraps a RenderTargetIdentifier. The render graph can't know the properties of these textures so please use the ImportTexture overload that takes a RenderTargetInfo argument instead.

    • This is caused by leftover SRP cache and materials not being refreshed.

    • Scene materials may appear broken (e.g., white), even without error logs when switching from HDRP to URP.

    • Restarting Unity Editor helps avoid unknown issues and ensures proper scene rendering.

  1. Change the Default Render Pipeline in Edit -> ProjectSettings -> Graphics, and set it to UniversalRenderPipelineAsset. Graphics Settings

  2. Open the AutowareSimulationURPDemo scene. Graphics Settings

  3. Add Scripting Define Symbols
    After switching the render pipeline, you need to change the scripting define symbol from HDRP to URP to enable URP-specific conditional compilation.

    • In the Unity Editor, go to Edit -> Project Settings -> Player

    • In the right panel, expand Other Settings

    • Find the Scripting Define Symbols field under the Script Compilation section

    • Remove HDRP and add URP Graphics Settings

  4. Restart the Unity Editor after changing the render pipeline.

    • Especially when switching from URP to HDRP, the following error may occur: 
      Exception: Invalid import, you are importing a texture handle that wraps a RenderTargetIdentifier. The render graph can't know the properties of these textures so please use the ImportTexture overload that takes a RenderTargetInfo argument instead.

    • This is caused by leftover SRP cache and materials not being refreshed.

    • Scene materials may appear broken (e.g., white), even without error logs when switching from HDRP to URP.

    • Restarting Unity Editor helps avoid unknown issues and ensures proper scene rendering.

  5. Check the lighting configuration: Graphics Settings