Render Pipeline Detection¶

Current Pipeline Landscape (2026)¶

URP (Universal Render Pipeline): The default and actively developed pipeline. Use for all new projects.
HDRP (High Definition Render Pipeline): In maintenance mode. No new features planned beyond Switch 2 support. Existing HDRP projects can continue, but new projects should prefer URP.
Built-in Render Pipeline (BiRP): Officially deprecated as of Unity 6.5. Supported through Unity 6.7 LTS but not recommended for any new work.

Detection at Edit Time¶

Check the Render Pipeline Asset in Graphics Settings:

#if UNITY_EDITOR
using UnityEditor;
using UnityEngine.Rendering;

public static class PipelineDetector
{
    public static string GetCurrentPipeline()
    {
        var rpAsset = GraphicsSettings.currentRenderPipeline;

        if (rpAsset == null)
            return "Built-in (Deprecated)";

        string typeName = rpAsset.GetType().Name;

        if (typeName.Contains("Universal"))
            return "URP";
        if (typeName.Contains("HDRenderPipeline"))
            return "HDRP";

        return $"Unknown SRP: {typeName}";
    }
}
#endif

Detection at Runtime¶

using UnityEngine.Rendering;

public static bool IsURP()
{
    return GraphicsSettings.currentRenderPipeline != null
        && GraphicsSettings.currentRenderPipeline.GetType().Name.Contains("Universal");
}

public static bool IsHDRP()
{
    return GraphicsSettings.currentRenderPipeline != null
        && GraphicsSettings.currentRenderPipeline.GetType().Name.Contains("HDRenderPipeline");
}

public static bool IsBuiltIn()
{
    return GraphicsSettings.currentRenderPipeline == null;
}

Scripting Define Detection¶

Use preprocessor directives when the pipeline packages are installed:

#if USING_URP
    // URP-specific code
    var cameraData = camera.GetUniversalAdditionalCameraData();
#elif USING_HDRP
    // HDRP-specific code
    var cameraData = camera.GetComponent<HDAdditionalCameraData>();
#else
    // Built-in or no SRP
#endif

Add custom scripting defines in Project Settings > Player > Scripting Define Symbols, or use assembly definition version constraints.

Pipeline-Specific Differences¶

Shader Includes¶

Pipeline	Include Path
URP	`Packages/com.unity.render-pipelines.universal/ShaderLibrary/Core.hlsl`
HDRP	`Packages/com.unity.render-pipelines.high-definition/Runtime/ShaderLibrary/ShaderVariables.hlsl`
Built-in	`UnityCG.cginc` (legacy)

Shader Program Blocks¶

URP/HDRP: Use HLSLPROGRAM / ENDHLSL
Built-in: Used CGPROGRAM / ENDCG (deprecated)

Post-Processing¶

Feature	URP / HDRP	Built-in
System	Volume framework	Post-Processing Stack v2
Bloom	Volume > Bloom	PostProcessVolume > Bloom
Color Grading	Volume > Color Adjustments	PostProcessVolume > Color Grading
Configuration	Volume Profile asset	Post-Process Profile asset

Camera Differences¶

URP: Camera component + Universal Additional Camera Data. Camera stacking for layered rendering.
HDRP: Camera component + HD Additional Camera Data. Physical camera model with exposure.
Built-in: Standard Camera component only.

Lighting¶

Feature	URP	HDRP	Built-in
Per-object light limit	Configurable (default 8)	Virtually unlimited	8 (forward)
Area lights	Baked only	Real-time	Baked only
Volumetric lighting	Light cookies/fog	Full volumetric	Third-party
Global Illumination	SCGI (6.7), Lightmaps	Ray tracing, Path tracing	Lightmaps

Render Graph Backend¶

Both URP and HDRP use the Render Graph backend as of Unity 6.3. This enables: - Automatic render pass optimization - Dynamic resource allocation - Reduced CPU overhead for complex rendering setups

When writing custom rendering code, use the Render Graph API:

public override void RecordRenderGraph(RenderGraph renderGraph, ContextContainer frameData)
{
    // Render Graph-compatible custom pass
}

Migration Recommendations¶

BiRP to URP¶

Install URP package via Package Manager
Create a URP Render Pipeline Asset
Assign it in Project Settings > Graphics
Use Edit > Rendering > Materials > Convert to URP
Update custom shaders: replace CGPROGRAM with HLSLPROGRAM, update includes
Replace Post-Processing Stack v2 with Volume framework

HDRP to URP¶

Consider this for projects that do not need HDRP-exclusive features. HDRP is in maintenance mode, while URP continues to receive new features. Conversion requires shader and material updates, as the two pipelines use different shader libraries.