How to Change the Color of a 3D Object in Unity

How to Change the Color of a 3D Object in Unity

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As an artist or developer working with Unity, you may need to change the color of your 3D object at some point. Whether it is to give it a new look or to match it with a different theme, changing the color can significantly alter the appearance and perception of your object.

1. Using Materials

One of the most straightforward ways to change the color of an object in Unity is by using materials. Materials are textures that determine how light interacts with an object, and they can be used to control its appearance, including color. To apply a material to an object, follow these steps:

  1. Create a new material in the Project window. You can do this by right-clicking on Assets > Create > Material.
  2. In the Material inspector, add a new color property by clicking the “+” button at the bottom of the properties list. Name the color “Color” and select a color from the Color picker.
  3. Apply the material to your object by dragging it onto the object in the Hierarchy window or selecting the object and assigning the material in the Inspector window.

2. Using Renderers

Another way to change the color of an object is by using renderers. Renderers are components that control how light interacts with an object, and they can be used to set the color of an object directly. To use a renderer to change the color of an object, follow these steps:

  1. Select your object in the Hierarchy window.
  2. In the Inspector window, add a new Renderer component by clicking the “+” button at the bottom of the properties list.
  3. Set the type of renderer to Mesh Renderer or Sprite Renderer, depending on the type of object you are working with.
  4. In the Renderer component, set the color property to the desired color. You can do this by clicking the Color field and selecting a color from the Color picker.

3. Using Shaders

Shaders are programs that determine how light interacts with an object, and they can be used to create custom appearances for objects. To use shaders to change the color of an object, follow these steps:

  1. Create a new shader in the Project window. You can do this by right-clicking on Assets > Create > Shader.
  2. In the Shader Graph, add a Color node and set its input to the Base (Color) property of the material.

    3. 3. Using Shaders

  3. Connect the output of the Color node to the Albedo color input of the Standard shader.
  4. Set the color of the Color node to the desired color. You can do this by clicking on the color field and selecting a color from the Color picker.
  5. Apply the shader to your object by assigning it as the material in the Inspector window.

Summary

Changing the color of a 3D object in Unity is a straightforward process that can be achieved using materials, renderers, or shaders. Depending on your needs and preferences, you can choose the method that works best for you. With these methods, you can easily customize the appearance of your objects and bring your scenes to life.