Shader Node Editor
The Node Editor provides a visual way to create shaders without writing GLSL code. Connect nodes to build complex effects intuitively.
Getting Started
- Open Window → File Browser
- Navigate to the Shaders section
- Create a new shader or select an existing one
- Choose Node-based as the shader type
- The Node Editor will open automatically
Node Editor Interface
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Canvas | The main area where you place and connect nodes |
| Context Menu | Right-click to add new nodes |
| Node | A processing unit with inputs and outputs |
| Pin | Connection point on a node (input on left, output on right) |
| Link | A connection between two pins |
Navigation
- Pan: Middle mouse button + drag, or hold Space + left mouse drag
- Zoom: Mouse scroll wheel
- Select: Left-click on a node
- Multi-select: Ctrl + left-click, or drag a selection box
- Delete: Select node/link and press Delete
Data Types
Nodes use different data types for their pins:
| Type | Color | Description |
|---|---|---|
float | Gray | Single value (e.g., time, intensity) |
vec2 | Green | Two values (e.g., UV coordinates) |
vec3 | Blue | Three values (e.g., RGB color, position) |
note
You can only connect pins of compatible types. The editor will reject incompatible connections.
Node Reference
Input Nodes
These nodes provide data to your shader.
| Node | Output Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Time | float | Current time in seconds (for animations) |
| Float Value | float | A constant float value you can configure |
| UV Coords | vec2 | Texture coordinates of the current fragment |
| Color | vec3 | A constant RGB color you can configure |
Time Node
Outputs the elapsed time, useful for animated effects.
[Time] ─→ float (continuously increasing value)
Float Value Node
Outputs a configurable constant value.
[Float Value] ─→ float (user-defined constant)
- Properties:
value- The float value to output
UV Coords Node
Outputs the UV texture coordinates.
[UV Coords] ─→ vec2 (x: 0-1, y: 0-1)
Color Node
Outputs a configurable RGB color.
[Color] ─→ vec3 (RGB values 0-1)
- Properties: Click to open color picker
Texture Nodes
| Node | Input | Output | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Image | UV (vec2) | Color (vec3), Alpha (float) | Sample an external image texture |
| Mesh Texture | UV (vec2) | Color (vec3), Alpha (float) | Sample the object's diffuse texture |
| Internal Texture | UV (vec2) | Color (vec3), Alpha (float) | Sample the scene render (postprocessing) |
Mesh Texture Node
Samples the texture assigned to the current mesh. Essential for object shaders.
UV (vec2) ─→ [Mesh Texture] ─→ Color (vec3)
─→ Alpha (float)
Math Nodes (Float)
Operations on single float values.
| Node | Inputs | Output | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AddFloat | A, B (float) | float | A + B |
| SubtractFloat | A, B (float) | float | A - B |
| MultiplyFloat | A, B (float) | float | A × B |
| Sin | Input (float) | float | sin(Input) |
| Cos | Input (float) | float | cos(Input) |
| Smoothstep | Value (float) | float | smoothstep(edge0, edge1, Value) |
Sin / Cos Nodes
Generate wave patterns. Perfect for pulsing effects.
Time ─→ [Sin] ─→ float (-1 to 1)
Smoothstep Node
Smooth interpolation between 0 and 1.
- Properties:
edge0,edge1- The interpolation range
Math Nodes (Vec3)
Operations on color/vector values.
| Node | Inputs | Output | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Add | A, B (vec3) | vec3 | A + B |
| Subtract | A, B (vec3) | vec3 | A - B |
| Multiply | A, B (vec3) | vec3 | A × B (component-wise) |
| Mix | A, B (vec3), Factor (float) | vec3 | mix(A, B, Factor) |
Mix Node
Blends between two colors based on a factor (0 = A, 1 = B).
Color A (vec3) ─→ [Mix] ─→ Result (vec3)
Color B (vec3) ─→
Factor (float) ─→
Converter Nodes
| Node | Inputs | Outputs | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vec2Compose | X, Y (float) | Vec2 | Combine two floats into vec2 |
| Vec2Decompose | Vec2 | X, Y (float) | Split vec2 into two floats |
UV Manipulation Nodes
| Node | Inputs | Output | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| UV Offset | UV, Offset (vec2) | vec2 | Shifts UV coordinates |
| UV Scale | UV, Scale (vec2) | vec2 | Scales UV coordinates |
| UV Rotate | UV (vec2), Angle (float) | vec2 | Rotates UV around center |
UV Offset Example
Create a scrolling texture effect:
[UV Coords] ─────────────────────→ [UV Offset] ─→ [Mesh Texture]
[Time] ─→ [MultiplyFloat] ─→ [Vec2Compose] ─→
Effect Nodes
| Node | Inputs | Output | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gradient | UV (vec2) | vec3 | Creates a gradient from UV coordinates |
| Grayscale | Color (vec3) | float | Converts color to grayscale value |
| Invert | Color (vec3) | vec3 | Inverts colors (1 - color) |
| Contrast | Color (vec3) | vec3 | Adjusts color contrast |
| Saturation | Color (vec3) | vec3 | Adjusts color saturation |
| Vignette | UV (vec2) | float | Creates vignette mask (dark edges) |
Output Node
Every shader must have exactly one Output node.
| Node | Input | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Output | Color (vec3) | Final color sent to the screen |
Common Patterns
Pulsing Color
[Time] ─→ [Sin] ─→ [Smoothstep] ─→ Factor
[Color A] ─→ [Mix] ─→ [Output]
[Color B] ─→
Scrolling Texture
[UV Coords] ─→ UV ─→ [UV Offset] ─→ [Mesh Texture] ─→ [Output]
[Time] ─→ [MultiplyFloat] ─→ X ─→ [Vec2Compose] ─→ Offset
[Float: 0.1] ─→ B Y ─→
Wavy Distortion
[Time] ─→ [Sin] ─→ [MultiplyFloat] ─→ X ─→ [Vec2Compose] ─→ [UV Offset]
[Time] ─→ [Cos] ─→ [MultiplyFloat] ─→ Y ─→
[Float: 0.02] ─→
Color Tint
[Mesh Texture] ─→ [Multiply] ─→ [Output]
[Color: Orange] ─→
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Shader shows magenta | Output node is not connected |
| No visible effect | Check that all required inputs are connected |
| Texture appears black | Ensure UV Coords are connected to texture input |
| Animation not working | Verify Time node is connected somewhere in the graph |
Performance Tips
- Minimize texture samples: Each texture lookup has a cost
- Reuse calculations: Connect one node's output to multiple inputs
- Use simple math: Sin/Cos are more expensive than Add/Multiply
- Test on target hardware: Complex shaders may affect performance on older GPUs