Shaders

[ExploitEngineer]

how do i learn about shaders in depth ?

[ZainulabdeenOfficial]

1. Understand the Basics

• Learn what shaders are: programs that run on the GPU.
• Focus on Vertex and Fragment (Pixel) shaders first.
• Tools: OpenGL, WebGL, or Unity (ShaderLab).

2. Recommended Learning Path
   🧠 Concepts:

• Graphics pipeline (vertex processing → rasterization → fragment shading)
• GLSL (OpenGL Shader Language) basics
• Coordinate systems & transformations
• Lighting models (Phong, Blinn-Phong)

🔧 Practice:

• Start with GLSL in WebGL (easier for testing in browser)
• Use Shadertoy for quick experiments
• Try simple effects: color manipulation, gradients, distortion

3. Tools & Platforms

• Shadertoy (for writing real-time GLSL shaders)
• The Book of Shaders (interactive and beginner-friendly)
• Unity URP/HDRP with Shader Graph or HLSL
• Unreal Engine (Material Editor and custom HLSL)

4. Intermediate to Advanced Topics

• Procedural generation (noise, patterns)
• Post-processing effects (blur, bloom, motion blur)
• Compute shaders
• Raymarching & volumetric effects

5. Resources

• thebookofshaders.com
• LearnOpenGL.com (great for graphics + shaders)
• YouTube channels: "The Art of Code", "Brackeys" (Unity), "Sebastian Lague"
• GitHub repos with shader examples