Summary  
Importing PNG images as sprites, configuring their transparency and rendering order using transform Z-positions or order-in-layer settings, and employing parent-child hierarchies to keep visual elements aligned with camera movement.

General domain of usage  
2D game development

## Sprites: Bringing Your Own Art Into Unity

In this video, you transform your endless jumper from a gray prototype into a real game by adding **2D art (sprites)** for the player, platforms, and background.

### From Prototype to Game World
- We return to our endless jumper project and replace the default placeholder sprite;
- This is where you decide the **identity of your game**:
   - Who is the player character?
   - What kind of world are they in?
- Your visuals don’t need to be perfect, simple drawings work great for learning.


## What Is a Sprite?
- A **sprite** is a 2D image used in a game (characters, platforms, backgrounds);
- Sprites **must have a transparent background**, so they blend naturally into the scene;
- Because of this, sprites are usually saved as **.png files**.


## Adding Existing Images as Sprites
- You can find ready-made sprites online (e.g. Google Images);
- When searching, include **“png”** and make sure the background is transparent;
- Save the image as a `.png`, drag it into your Sprites folder, then into the scene.


## Creating Your Own Sprites
- You can draw your own sprites using tools like **Photopea** or **Piskel**;
- You could also edit an existing image to add character to it;
- Export your drawings as `.png` files with transparency.


## Platforms and Environment Art
- Platforms are also sprites and can be anything: bubbles, rocks, clouds, etc;
- You can add a floor platform if you want, but it’s optional.




## Adding a Background
- Backgrounds are usually very far away and don't move independently.
- A simple approach:
   - Add a background sprite;
   - Make it a **child of the Camera**. Simply drag the background in the hierarchy onto the 'Main Camera';
- This ensures the background always stays visible as the camera moves.


### Sprite Layering (Order in Layer)
- Sprites can overlap so Unity needs to know which one appears in front;
- You can control this using:
   - Z position (within Transform), or
   - Order in Layer (within Sprite Renderer)


**A good rule of thumb:**
 - Background: `Order in Layer = -1`;
 - Platforms: `Order in Layer = 1`;
 - Player: `Order in Layer = 2`.

Even with simple art, your game will now start telling a story. At this stage, visuals help motivate the mechanics we'll build next.


Which of the following best describes an image that is suitable to use as a sprite in Unity?

Why is a background sprite often made a child of the Camera in Unity?

Which setting tells Unity which sprite should appear in front when sprites overlap?

You'll learn how to make your first complete game in Unity while building the core skills needed to prototype many different game ideas.

You will install Unity and get familiar with the Unity Editor interface. You will learn how to navigate the main panels, understand the layout of the editor, and explore the basic tools used to build and manage scenes. By the end of this section, you will be comfortable moving around the editor and ready to start creating your first Unity projects.

In this section, you will explore how components work in Unity and how they are managed through the Inspector. You will learn how GameObjects gain functionality by attaching components, how to view and modify their properties, and how the Inspector helps control behavior, visuals, and physics within a scene. By the end of this section, you will understand the core component-based workflow used in Unity.


Learn the core principles of object-oriented programming using C#. You will explore how classes, objects, properties, and methods work together to structure game logic in Unity. The section introduces key concepts such as encapsulation, inheritance, and code organization, helping you understand how to write reusable and maintainable scripts for your projects.


You will expand your C# programming skills by implementing additional gameplay mechanics. You will learn how to write more advanced scripts, control object behavior, and create interactive systems that enhance your game. By the end of this section, you will be able to use C# to build more dynamic and engaging mechanics in Unity.

In this section, you will explore the concept of game feel and how visual and responsive feedback improves the player experience. You will learn how to use post-processing effects to enhance the look of your game and implement feedback systems that make player actions feel more responsive and satisfying. By the end of this section, you will understand how small visual and interaction details can significantly improve the overall feel of a game.

In this section, you will learn the fundamentals of creating user interfaces in Unity. You will explore how to build and organize UI elements such as panels, text, and buttons, and understand how they interact with the game and the player. By the end of this section, you will be able to design simple and functional interfaces that improve usability and player interaction.


Sprites

Sprites: Bringing Your Own Art Into Unity

From Prototype to Game World

What Is a Sprite?

Adding Existing Images as Sprites

Creating Your Own Sprites

Platforms and Environment Art

Adding a Background

Sprite Layering (Order in Layer)

1. Which of the following best describes an image that is suitable to use as a sprite in Unity?

2. Why is a background sprite often made a child of the Camera in Unity?

3. Which setting tells Unity which sprite should appear in front when sprites overlap?