Using Decals in Unity
Decals in Unity are a powerful way to add surface details without modifying the original geometry or textures. They are commonly used for visual effects such as paint splatters, dirt, bullet holes, stickers, cracks, and wear marks, helping environments feel more dynamic and realistic.
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In HDRP, decals work by projecting a material onto existing scene geometry. Instead of being tied to a specific mesh, a decal is placed in the world and wraps itself around any surface it intersects. This makes decals extremely flexible, as a single decal can affect multiple objects at once. Because they are projected, decals can also be used to simulate effects like blob shadows, light stains, or subtle lighting details on surfaces.
Using decals is straightforward. After enabling the Decal system in the HDRP settings, you create a Decal Material and assign textures such as base color, normal, and mask maps. You then place a Decal Projector in the scene and adjust its size, rotation, and fade settings to control how the decal appears on surrounding geometry. Decals can be blended smoothly with underlying materials, allowing them to feel naturally integrated rather than pasted on.
Decals are performance-friendly compared to duplicating geometry or creating unique textures for every object. When used thoughtfully, they are an efficient and artist-friendly solution for adding storytelling and realism to Unity scenes.
