Quick Start

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Add stencil shadows to an existing URP scene with a Directional Light and some mesh objects.

1. Install the renderer feature

Open Tools > Sharp Stencil Shadows > Open Welcome Screen, click Install Renderer Feature, then Install selected. See Installation for details.

2. Set up the main light

On the Directional Light, set Shadow Type to No Shadows. The stencil shadow replaces URP's shadow for this light. Leaving both on darkens shadows twice.

3. Choose which objects cast shadows

Every active Mesh Renderer and Skinned Mesh Renderer casts a shadow when its Cast Shadows setting is not Off and its layer is in the feature's Caster Layers (all layers by default). No components are needed.

4. Choose a lighting mode

In your renderer asset, expand Sharp Stencil Shadows > General > Lighting Mode:

Overlay (default) is the cheapest mode and shadows the main light.
URP Lighting shadows only the blocked light's contribution and adds point and spot light shadows. Run the installer again after selecting it.

See Lights and Lighting Modes to compare them.

5. Check the result

Shadows appear in the Game view and, by default, the Scene view. To see the shadow volumes themselves, turn on Debug > Debug Visualization.