Import images as sprites

Import images into the Unity Editor to create your own sprite assets.

Sprites are a type of assetAny media or data that can be used in your game or project. An asset may come from a file created outside of Unity, such as a 3D Model, an audio file or an image. You can also create some asset types in Unity, such as an Animator Controller, an Audio Mixer or a Render Texture. More info
See in Glossary you can use in your 2D Unity project. This page shows how to import images as spritesA 2D graphic objects. If you are used to working in 3D, Sprites are essentially just standard textures but there are special techniques for combining and managing sprite textures for efficiency and convenience during development. More info
See in Glossary.

You can import images into your project through two main methods:

• Place images directly into your project’s Assets folder.
• Import images into Unity through the Editor menu.

If you create your project with the 2D template or set the project to 2D mode, Unity automatically imports images as the Sprite (2D and UI) Texture Type. If you set your project mode to 3D instead, Unity imports your image as a texture.

Prerequisites

To adjust the import settings for images imported as the Sprite (2D and UI), you must install the 2D Sprite package. You will be given the option to install the package if you select the Sprite (2D and UI) Texture Type without the package installed.

Place images directly into the project folder

1. In your computer’s File Explorer (macOS: Finder), go to your Unity project’s Assets folder.
2. Place your image directly into the Assets folder.
3. Unity detects the placed image and displays it in the Project window.

Import an image through the Editor menu

1. In the Unity Editor, go to Assets > Import New Asset.
2. Select the image you want to import from the File Explorer (macOS: Finder) window. Unity makes a copy of your selected image and places it in the Assets folder.

Refer to Importing assets for more information on how Unity processes and organizes imported assets.

Set the Texture Type of an imported image to Sprite (2D and UI)

To change an asset’s Texture Type:

1. Select the asset to access its Import InspectorA Unity window that displays information about the currently selected GameObject, asset or project settings, allowing you to inspect and edit the values. More info
   See in Glossary.
2. Set the Texture Type to Sprite (2D and UI).

For more information about the sprite Texture Type settings, refer to the Sprite (2D and UI) import settings reference.

Additional resources

• Texture Import Settings
• Sprite Editor