Set Up 2D Lighting in a Scene

This guide walks through the editor workflow for:

• GlobalLight2D
• PointLight2D
• SpriteLight2D
• LightOccluder2D

Where to Find 2D Lighting in the Editor

Select the scene root in the Hierarchy to find the scene-wide controls in the Inspector:

• Backdrop > 2D Lighting
• Backdrop > Ambient Color
• Backdrop > Ambient Intensity

To create 2D lighting objects, use either:

• GameObject > Light
• right-click in the Hierarchy and open Light

To add 2D lighting to an existing object, select that object and use:

• Component > Lighting

The 2D lighting entries are:

• Global Light 2D
• Point Light 2D
• Sprite Light
• Light Occluder 2D

When you create or add one of these 2D lighting components, Lenga enables 2D Lighting for the scene automatically. You can still turn it off at the scene level whenever you want to compare against an unlit view.

Step-by-Step Scene Setup

1. Select the scene root in the Hierarchy.
2. In the Inspector, turn on Backdrop > 2D Lighting.
3. Set Ambient Color and Ambient Intensity for the base light of the scene.
4. Open GameObject > Light and add a Global Light 2D if you want a broad wash over the whole level.
5. Add one or more Point Light 2D objects where you want circular local light.
6. Add Sprite Light when the light should use a shaped mask instead of a simple circle.
7. Add Light Occluder 2D to platforms, walls, and props that should block point lights and cast projected shadow areas.
8. Tune the light settings in the Inspector, then check both Scene and Game view.

Choosing the Right 2D Light

GlobalLight2D

Use this for the broad scene wash.

It works well for:

• dusk and night tint
• a darker base before placing local lights
• one control for overall scene brightness

PointLight2D

Use this for circular local light.

It works well for:

• lanterns
• torches
• pickups
• glow accents around interactive objects

SpriteLight2D

Use this when the light shape should come from a texture mask.

It works well for:

• stylized light cones
• magical glows
• shaped highlights
• authored 2D lighting effects

LightOccluder2D

Use this to define the shape that blocks 2D light and creates shadowed areas. When a nearby PointLight2D has Shadows enabled, Lenga projects shadow geometry from the occluder's far-facing edges so large floors, walls, and backdrops can receive visible cast shadows.

It works especially well on:

• platforms
• walls
• crates
• blocking props

Source chooses where the caster shape comes from:

• Box Collider follows the object's BoxCollider2D rectangle.
• Renderer follows the attached filled 2D renderer shape, such as a rectangle, sprite quad, circle, ellipse, triangle, polygon, or rounded rectangle.
• Custom uses the occluder's own shape controls for rectangles, circles, ellipses, triangles, diamonds, and regular polygons.

When Box Collider is selected, the collider owns the caster size and offset. When Renderer is selected, the renderer owns the caster outline and the occluder Offset can still nudge the shape locally.

Controlling Which Layers Lights Affect

Every 2D light has Affected Layers. Renderers on excluded GameObject layers skip that light contribution, which is useful for keeping UI, background walls, or other ambient-only scenery evenly lit while nearby point lights continue to affect gameplay objects.

Use this when you want, for example, a local PointLight2D to light the player, collectibles, and platforms, but not tint north, south, east, and west walls based on each wall's distance from the light.

Controlling What Casts and Receives Shadows

Point lights project shadows from enabled LightOccluder2D casters onto the scene background before 2D renderers are drawn. Filled 2D renderers only receive their own clipped projected shadows when Receive Shadows is turned on for that renderer.

Use these controls when two valid looks need different shadow behavior:

• PointLight2D > Shadow Casters chooses which object layers can cast shadows for that light.
• PointLight2D > Shadow Receivers chooses which object layers can receive clipped shadows on renderers that have Receive Shadows enabled.
• LightOccluder2D > Cast Shadows lets a specific occluder stop casting without removing the component.
• Receive Shadows on filled 2D renderers lets a specific rendered surface opt into clipped projected shadows on that surface.

For example, a platform can cast a shadow across the scene backdrop without darkening the floor renderer if the platform's layer is included in Shadow Casters and the floor renderer leaves Receive Shadows turned off. Turn Receive Shadows on for walls, floors, or props when you want shadows clipped to those specific rendered surfaces.

Common Inspector Settings

GlobalLight2D focuses on:

• Color
• Intensity
• Affected Layers

PointLight2D focuses on:

• Color
• Intensity
• Radius
• Falloff
• Affected Layers
• Shadows
• Shadow Casters
• Shadow Receivers
• Shadow Strength
• Shadow Bias

SpriteLight2D focuses on:

• Color
• Intensity
• Size
• Falloff
• Texture
• Affected Layers
• Shadows
• Shadow Strength
• Shadow Bias

LightOccluder2D focuses on:

• Cast Shadows
• Source
• Shape
• Size
• Offset
• Segments
• Sides
• Rotation

If the Scene Still Looks Flat

Check these first:

• Backdrop > 2D Lighting is enabled on the scene root
• the light object is active and enabled
• the light intensity and radius are large enough to affect the visible area
• Shadows is enabled on the PointLight2D, and Shadow Strength is above 0
• ambient light is not washing out the local light
• occluders are placed on geometry that should visibly block the light

A Good First Pass for a 2D Scene

If you are lighting a platformer or top-down scene for the first time, start simple:

• keep the ambient base modest instead of brightening the whole scene
• use GlobalLight2D to establish the overall mood
• use PointLight2D for obvious local accents
• use SpriteLight2D when you want a shaped or stylized lighting effect
• add LightOccluder2D to the walls, platforms, and props that should create visible separation

That usually reads better than trying to solve the whole scene with one strong local light.