threejs-shaders

Three.js Shaders

When to Use

• You need custom shader logic in Three.js.
• The task involves ShaderMaterial, uniforms, GLSL, vertex deformation, or fragment-based effects.
• You are extending material behavior beyond what built-in materials provide.

Quick Start

import * as THREE from "three";

const material = new THREE.ShaderMaterial({
  uniforms: {
    time: { value: 0 },
    color: { value: new THREE.Color(0xff0000) },
  },
  vertexShader: `
    void main() {
      gl_Position = projectionMatrix * modelViewMatrix * vec4(position, 1.0);
    }
  `,
  fragmentShader: `
    uniform vec3 color;

    void main() {
      gl_FragColor = vec4(color, 1.0);
    }
  `,
});

// Update in animation loop
material.uniforms.time.value = clock.getElapsedTime();

ShaderMaterial vs RawShaderMaterial

ShaderMaterial

Three.js provides built-in uniforms and attributes.

const material = new THREE.ShaderMaterial({
  vertexShader: `
    // Built-in uniforms available:
    // uniform mat4 modelMatrix;
    // uniform mat4 modelViewMatrix;
    // uniform mat4 projectionMatrix;
    // uniform mat4 viewMatrix;
    // uniform mat3 normalMatrix;