Unity Shader Graph Skill

Visual shader development using Unity Shader Graph.

Overview

This skill provides capabilities for creating shaders visually using Unity's Shader Graph, enabling artists and developers to build complex materials without writing code.

Capabilities

Visual Authoring

• Create shader graphs for URP/HDRP
• Connect nodes for material logic
• Preview effects in real-time
• Handle shader variants

Effect Types

• Surface shaders (Lit, Unlit)
• Vertex displacement
• UV manipulation
• Procedural textures

Custom Development

• Create custom nodes
• Build subgraphs
• Implement shader keywords
• Handle multi-pass rendering

Material System

• Generate materials from graphs
• Expose material properties
• Handle texture sampling
• Implement triplanar mapping

Prerequisites

• Unity 2021.3+
• Shader Graph package
• URP or HDRP project

Usage Patterns

Common Node Patterns

Dissolve Effect:
Noise → Step → Alpha Clip Threshold → Alpha

Rim Lighting:
Fresnel Effect → Multiply → Add Emission

Scrolling UV:
Time → Multiply → Add UV → Sample Texture

Vertex Animation:
Noise → Position Offset → Position

Custom Function Node

// Custom HLSL function for Shader Graph
void MyCustomFunction_float(float3 In, out float3 Out)
{
    Out = In * 2.0;
}

Best Practices

1. Use subgraphs for reusable patterns
2. Minimize texture samples
3. Use shader keywords for variants
4. Profile on target platforms
5. Document exposed properties

References

• Shader Graph Documentation