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Converting Built-in Render Pipeline to URP in Unity 6

This post walks through how I successfully converted a Unity 6 project using the Built-in Render Pipeline to the Universal Render Pipeline (URP), based on real steps and options available in the Unity 6 Editor.

❓ What is Built-in and URP?​

Unity provides multiple rendering pipelines. Here's a quick overview:

🔷 Built-in Render Pipeline (BRP)​

  • Unity’s legacy rendering system
  • Easy to use but limited in customization and modern rendering features
  • Not optimal for newer devices, platforms, or performance tuning
  • Difficult to scale across platforms like mobile, VR, and console

🔶 Universal Render Pipeline (URP)​

  • Unity’s modern, cross-platform rendering pipeline
  • Designed for performance and flexibility
  • Supports Shader Graph, Scriptable Renderer Features, Better mobile/VR optimization
  • Works consistently across PC, mobile, console, WebGL

✅ Environment​

  • Unity version: Unity 6
  • OS: MacOS

🔧 Step-by-Step Conversion Guide​

1. Install URP via Package Manager​

  • Open Window → Package Manager
  • In the top left, select Unity Registry
  • Search for Universal RP
  • Click Install

✅ If installed correctly, URP components like URP Asset, URP Renderer, etc., will become available under Create → Rendering.

2. Create URP Asset​

  • Right-click in the Project panel → Create → Rendering → URP Asset (with Universal Renderer)
  • Unity will generate:
    • New URP Universal Render Pipeline.asset (the main pipeline asset)
    • New URP Universal Renderer.asset (the associated renderer config)

3. Set URP Asset in Graphics Settings​

  • Go to Edit → Project Settings → Graphics
  • In Scriptable Render Pipeline Settings, drag in the file:
    • New URP Universal Render Pipeline.asset

This officially switches your project from Built-in to URP.

4. Fix Pink Materials (Broken Standard Shaders)​

Problem​

After switching to URP, any materials using the Built-in Standard Shader will break and appear pink.

Solution​

For each affected material:

  • Open the material .mat file
  • Change the shader from: 
    Standard
    to: 
    Universal Render Pipeline / Lit

If you have only a few materials (like I had, just 4), this is very fast to do manually.

🔄 Optional: Batch Convert All Materials​

For large projects, use an Editor script like this to convert all Standard Shader materials:

using UnityEngine;
using UnityEditor;

public class URPMaterialConverter
{
    [MenuItem("Tools/Convert Standard Shader to URP Lit")]
    static void ConvertStandardToURPLit()
    {
        string[] guids = AssetDatabase.FindAssets("t:Material");
        foreach (string guid in guids)
        {
            string path = AssetDatabase.GUIDToAssetPath(guid);
            Material mat = AssetDatabase.LoadAssetAtPath<Material>(path);
            if (mat != null && mat.shader.name == "Standard")
            {
                mat.shader = Shader.Find("Universal Render Pipeline/Lit");
                Debug.Log($"✅ Converted: {mat.name}");
            }
        }
        AssetDatabase.SaveAssets();
        Debug.Log("🎉 All materials converted to URP/Lit.");
    }
}

Place this file in your Assets/Editor/ folder.

🎉 Result​

After following the above steps, my project was fully converted to URP, with all materials rendering correctly using the URP/Lit shader.

If you're migrating a legacy Unity project, this process is straightforward and works smoothly in Unity 6.