Shader Graph & VFX
Master the essentials through 21 focused micro-lessons you can complete at your own pace.
What You’ll Learn
Course Modules
Introduction to Shader Graph Basics
An overview of Shader Graph's purpose and its role in creating visual effects in game engines.
Navigating the Shader Graph Interface
Familiarization with the Shader Graph window, nodes, and inspector panels.
Understanding Shader Graph Nodes
Exploring the different categories and functions of nodes available in Shader Graph.
Creating Basic Surface Shaders
Building a simple shader that affects the surface properties of a 3D model.
Working with Color Nodes and Properties
Learning to input, manipulate, and expose color values within shaders.
Utilizing Vector Nodes for Positions and Directions
Understanding how to use Vector2, Vector3, and Vector4 nodes for spatial data.
Implementing Texture Sampling
Learning to use texture nodes to sample images and apply them to surfaces.
UV Manipulation for Texturing
Exploring techniques to modify UV coordinates for tiling, offsetting, and rotating textures.
Basic Math Operations in Shaders
Performing fundamental mathematical calculations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Lerp and Remap for Smooth Transitions
Understanding how to blend values and remap ranges for controlled effects.
Introduction to Vertex and Fragment Shaders
Differentiating between the roles of vertex and fragment shaders in the rendering pipeline.
Controlling Vertex Positions
Modifying vertex positions in the vertex shader stage for animation and deformation.
Normal Mapping for Surface Detail
Applying normal maps to simulate surface irregularities and add depth without extra geometry.
Metallic and Smoothness Maps
Using metallic and smoothness textures to define material properties like reflectivity and roughness.
Emissive Shaders for Glow Effects
Creating shaders that emit light, producing glowing or self-illuminated objects.
Alpha Blending and Transparency
Controlling object transparency and blending using alpha values.
Introduction to Shader Graph Sub-Graphs
Learning to create reusable blocks of nodes to organize complex shaders.
Custom Function Nodes
Writing custom HLSL code within Shader Graph for advanced functionality.
Screen Space Effects with Shader Graph
Creating post-processing effects that operate on the entire screen.
Shader Graph for Particle Systems
Customizing particle shaders for unique visual effects in particle systems.
Optimizing Shader Graph Performance
Techniques for reducing shader complexity and improving rendering performance.
Ready to Start Learning?
Master Shader Graph & VFX at your own pace. Begin with Module 1 and progress through all 21 modules.
Key Takeaways
| Module | What You Learn | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Shader Graph Basics | You will be able to understand the fundamental concepts and workflow of Unity's Shader Graph. | 3 min |
| Navigating the Shader Graph Interface | You will be able to confidently navigate and utilize all essential components of the Shader Graph editor. | 4 min |
| Understanding Shader Graph Nodes | You will be able to identify and select appropriate nodes for various shader effects. | 3 min |
| Creating Basic Surface Shaders | You will be able to create a basic unlit or lit shader for a mesh. | 4 min |
| Working with Color Nodes and Properties | You will be able to control material colors using node-based color inputs and properties. | 3 min |
| Utilizing Vector Nodes for Positions and Directions | You will be able to manipulate positions, directions, and other vector-based data in your shaders. | 3 min |
| Implementing Texture Sampling | You will be able to incorporate textures into your shaders for detailed visuals. | 4 min |
| UV Manipulation for Texturing | You will be able to control how textures are mapped onto your models. | 4 min |
| Basic Math Operations in Shaders | You will be able to use math nodes to combine and modify shader data. | 3 min |
| Lerp and Remap for Smooth Transitions | You will be able to create smooth transitions and remap values between different ranges. | 4 min |
| Introduction to Vertex and Fragment Shaders | You will be able to understand the distinct responsibilities of vertex and fragment stages. | 3 min |
| Controlling Vertex Positions | You will be able to create simple vertex-based animations like wave effects. | 4 min |
| Normal Mapping for Surface Detail | You will be able to create realistic surface details using normal maps. | 4 min |
| Metallic and Smoothness Maps | You will be able to achieve realistic PBR (Physically Based Rendering) material looks. | 4 min |
| Emissive Shaders for Glow Effects | You will be able to make objects appear to glow or emit light. | 3 min |
| Alpha Blending and Transparency | You will be able to create see-through materials and transparent effects. | 4 min |
| Introduction to Shader Graph Sub-Graphs | You will be able to build modular and reusable shader components. | 4 min |
| Custom Function Nodes | You will be able to extend Shader Graph's capabilities with custom code. | 5 min |
| Screen Space Effects with Shader Graph | You will be able to implement screen-space shaders like bloom or color correction. | 5 min |
| Shader Graph for Particle Systems | You will be able to create advanced and stylized particle effects. | 4 min |
| Optimizing Shader Graph Performance | You will be able to create efficient shaders that don't negatively impact frame rates. | 4 min |