Render from Unity into Backstage

Last updated 5 May 2026

The Brainsalt Unity plugin streams a rendered RenderTexture from Unity directly into Backstage using GPU texture sharing — no network streaming or external protocol required. Once set up, the Unity output appears in Backstage as a live asset.

Before you start

  • You are running Unity and Backstage on the same Windows machine
  • Your GPU supports Vulkan or DirectX 11 (other APIs are not supported)
  • You have the Brainsalt Unity plugin (located at: Backstage\3rd Party Interfacing Plugins\Unity\Backstage_Plugin)

Steps

1. Copy the plugin into your Unity project

Copy the entire Backstage_Plugin folder (containing Scripts/ and Plugins/) into your Unity project's Assets directory.

2. Set the Graphics API

Go to Edit → Project Settings → Player → Windows Graphics API.

Remove all entries except Vulkan or DirectX 11. The plugin will not work with Metal, OpenGL, or other APIs.

3. Create a RenderTexture

In the Unity Project panel, right-click and select Create → Rendering → Render Texture.

Setting

Description

Values / Range

Format

Pixel format for the texture.

R8G8B8A8_UNORM

Depth Buffer

Not required for texture sharing.

None (disabled)

Resolution

Your target output resolution.

e.g. 1920x1080

10-bit color is not supported for Unity texture sharing.

4. Set your camera's render target

Select the camera that renders the content you want to send to Backstage. In the Inspector, set its Output Texture (Render Target) to the RenderTexture you created.

5. Add the plugin script

With the same camera selected, click Add Component and search for UseAsBackstageAssetPlugin.

Setting

Description

Values / Range

Backstage Asset

Drag the RenderTexture into this field.

RenderTexture reference

Asset Index

The slot number Backstage will receive this on.

0, 1, 2, ...

Enable V Sync Blocking

Synchronise Unity to Backstage's refresh rate.

Checkbox

6. Window placement on B-Series hardware

When running on a Brainsalt B-Series media server, keep the Unity window minimised or resized to approximately 100x100 pixels on the primary display. Running Unity full-screen on a B-Series machine can interfere with Backstage's output.

7. Use the asset in Backstage

In Backstage, the Unity output is available as a live capture asset at the Asset Index slot number you specified. Add it to a sequence or assign it to a surface the same way you would any other asset.

Common Mistakes

  • Unity output does not appear in Backstage — the Graphics API is not set to Vulkan or DirectX 11, or the plugin DLL (BackstageUnity-RT.dll) is missing from Assets/Backstage_Plugin/Plugins/x86_64/.

  • Black frames in Backstage — the RenderTexture format is not R8G8B8A8_UNORM or the Depth Buffer is enabled. Check the RenderTexture settings.

Tips

  • Use Asset Index 0 for your first Unity output. For multiple RenderTextures, add a second plugin component on another camera with Asset Index 1.

  • The RenderTexture resolution does not need to match your output resolution — Backstage scales as needed.

  • V Sync Blocking introduces a small render delay — only enable it if you have a specific synchronisation requirement.

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