Projector stops working on Terrain with "Draw Instanced" enabled

Question

So I've noticed that Projector doesn't doesn't work on terrain when "Draw Instanced" is enabled (2018.3 feature).

I'd really like to use GPU instancing since it's a huge performance boost but projector is also an important component I'm utilizing here.

Is it not possible to use projector with instancing enabled or is this a bug? if not, how can I make the projector work on terrain?

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Answer 1

Answer by Soulice · Nov 17, 2020 at 03:52 AM

Not fixed in 2020 with new Terrain tools.

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Answer 2

Answer by Nigthwatch · Jan 20, 2019 at 05:04 PM

I was just trying out projectors for an idea I had.. but found this same issue. I also noted that when switched off the projection was inconsistent across the terrain and looked bloody awful. It did not stay within the frustum and if I quote the documentation "just like a real world projector" IT was far from being that!

So I'm probably going to use a second camera, some sprites, raycast to place on terrain and careful layering and depth setup so it's always rendered above the terrain to give the same effect. Just with more consistency and I can still use Draw Instanced on terrain.

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Answer 3

Answer by sorinhigh · Feb 01, 2019 at 07:59 AM

I really hope they fix this soon. I use decals for explosion marks on the ground and would love to use the new instancing to enhance performance.

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Nigthwatch · Feb 01, 2019 at 09:01 AM 0

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I did some more research and experimentation and ended up using decals as described here:

blogs.unity3d.com/2015/02/06/extending-unity-5-rendering-pipeline-command-buffers/

With careful placement, just above the terrain it works for my situation. It fails over water, but that was sort of expected. To get around this I use a flat sprite over water. It works perfectly well with instanced terrain too.

I'm also tempted to use it for adding in more details to the scene, performance seems very good. There was a very good Decal asset on the store, but seems he pulled it prematurely upon seeing HDR pipelines has decals as standard.

But the pipelines are not mature enough yet in my $$anonymous$$d, so not an option for a long while yet.

Answer 4

Answer by DarkGate · Mar 08, 2019 at 05:47 PM

Same here, found out this issue. a fix would be real nice.

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Answer 5

Answer by vinnygombici · Sep 10, 2019 at 02:46 PM

Any news on that one? Is there a way to put a projector now on a terrain with "instanced" checked?

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Nigthwatch · Sep 10, 2019 at 04:03 PM 0

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I strongly suggest using Decals, they are very good performance. They are so versatile in how they can be used. Depending on pipeline you are using. HDRP has them built in, for LWRP / URP you could either create one or lookup on asset store. Standard pipe I mention in comments above.

If like me you have purchased an effects pack from $$anonymous$$ripto (https://assetstore.unity.com/publishers/5224) he's written a Decal shader which works on all pipelines! it was a nice surprise when I spotted this in the pack. It is really well written and has some good features.

$$anonymous$$ost importantly all the decals I have tested work on instanced terrain!

Projector stops working on Terrain with "Draw Instanced" enabled

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