GLSL Shaders from Scratch
20h 11m 38s
English
Paid
This course is designed for developers who want to learn how to create impressive visual effects. From control functions and lighting models to AAA-level realistic grass and procedurally generated landscapes built purely on mathematics, you will not only learn how to create beautiful shaders but also gain the tools for further independent growth in this area.
About the Author: SimonDev
SimonDev (Simon Schreibt is a different person) is the YouTube channel and paid-course brand of an independent game and graphics developer — focused on the math, shaders, and Three.js / WebGL work that anchors modern interactive 3D in the browser. The channel has built a reputation for unusually deep treatments of computer-graphics fundamentals.
His CourseFlix listing carries three SimonDev courses: Three.js & GameDev, GLSL Shaders from Scratch, and Math for Game Developers. The teaching style is rigorous about the underlying math (linear algebra, trigonometry, calculus applied to graphics) that most graphics tutorials skip.
Material is paid and aimed at developers ready to study computer graphics from the foundations rather than copy shader recipes. For broader content, see CourseFlix's Three.js, Game Development, and Compilers & Interpreters category pages.
Watch Online 71 lessons
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/ #1: Course Overview
All Course Lessons (71)
| # | Lesson Title | Duration | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Course Overview Demo | 01:45 | |
| 2 | Welcome and Introductions | 05:54 | |
| 3 | Sample Shader | 02:53 | |
| 4 | GLSL Overview | 03:22 | |
| 5 | Transformation Pipeline & Shader Inputs | 07:27 | |
| 6 | Key Takeaways | 02:18 | |
| 7 | IDE Setup & Template Code | 04:17 | |
| 8 | Simple Colours & RGB | 04:06 | |
| 9 | Shader Inputs - Varyings | 03:48 | |
| 10 | Shader Inputs - Uniforms | 04:14 | |
| 11 | Shader Inputs - Attributes | 02:57 | |
| 12 | Simple Textures & Colours | 07:35 | |
| 13 | Working with Alpha | 03:48 | |
| 14 | Addressing | 03:39 | |
| 15 | Filtering | 04:22 | |
| 16 | Step, Mix, Smoothstep | 17:47 | |
| 17 | Min, Max, Clamp, Saturate | 04:25 | |
| 18 | Fract & Friends | 15:36 | |
| 19 | InverseLerp, Remap, and the Derivative Functions | 06:57 | |
| 20 | Sin/Cos | 06:25 | |
| 21 | Common Vector Operations | 08:03 | |
| 22 | Ambient & Hemi Lights | 07:05 | |
| 23 | Lambertian Lighting & sRGB | 07:37 | |
| 24 | Phong Specular | 03:40 | |
| 25 | IBL Specular & Fresnel | 07:52 | |
| 26 | Toon Shading | 05:12 | |
| 27 | Recap | 02:24 | |
| 28 | Simple Transformations | 07:23 | |
| 29 | Varyings in Way More Depth | 09:49 | |
| 30 | Project: Pop-In (easing functions) | 02:10 | |
| 31 | Project: Warped Sphere | 06:37 | |
| 32 | What are SDF's? | 07:58 | |
| 33 | Simple Shapes | 05:38 | |
| 34 | Transformations | 03:47 | |
| 35 | Antialiasing & Shading | 02:31 | |
| 36 | Boolean Operations | 09:40 | |
| 37 | Project: Cloudy Day | 34:15 | |
| 38 | Intro to Noise | 03:39 | |
| 39 | Value & Gradient Noise | 02:40 | |
| 40 | Filtering | 06:36 | |
| 41 | Perlin & Simplex | 10:07 | |
| 42 | More Noises! | 14:18 | |
| 43 | Project: Landscape | 12:15 | |
| 44 | Project: Burn Transition | 07:22 | |
| 45 | Intro to PostFX | 02:43 | |
| 46 | Basic Colour Manipulation | 12:48 | |
| 47 | Colour Boost, Vignette, Pixelation | 10:43 | |
| 48 | Distortions & Ripples | 06:58 | |
| 49 | Stars | 13:38 | |
| 50 | Planet | 21:52 | |
| 51 | Intro | 02:40 | |
| 52 | Theory | 09:42 | |
| 53 | Basic Implementation | 15:24 | |
| 54 | Advanced Features | 26:44 | |
| 55 | Project: Terrain | 30:42 | |
| 56 | Initial Setup | 02:57 | |
| 57 | Introduction & Outline | 04:58 | |
| 58 | Overview of GDC Paper | 04:55 | |
| 59 | Basic Idea and Approach | 09:35 | |
| 60 | Single Blade of Grass | 21:43 | |
| 61 | Basic Lighting & Wind | 47:20 | |
| 62 | More details | 32:57 | |
| 63 | Basic Particles | 35:12 | |
| 64 | Particle Systems | 02:45:52 | |
| 65 | Blending | 01:15:24 | |
| 66 | GPU Particles - Stateless | 01:05:52 | |
| 67 | GPU Particles - Stateful | 01:04:40 | |
| 68 | GPU Particles - Advanced | 49:31 | |
| 69 | GPU Particles - Boids | 01:35:03 | |
| 70 | GPU Particles - Boids 2 | 01:04:31 | |
| 71 | GPU Particles - Boids 3 | 15:01 |
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Frequently asked questions
What prerequisites are needed to enroll in the course?
The course is designed for developers, so a fundamental understanding of programming concepts is recommended. Familiarity with graphics programming or computer graphics is beneficial but not required. The course begins with an overview of GLSL and shader inputs, which helps bridge any gaps for those new to shader development.
What kind of projects will I build during the course?
Throughout the course, you will work on a variety of projects, including creating easing functions in the 'Project: Pop-In', developing a 'Warped Sphere', and building a 'Cloudy Day' scene. More advanced projects include generating a procedurally created landscape and implementing a 'Burn Transition'. By the end, you'll have experience with a range of shader types and effects.
Who is the target audience for this course?
The course is aimed at developers interested in mastering visual effects and creating shaders. It is particularly suitable for those who wish to understand both the artistic and technical aspects of shader development, from basic color manipulation to complex mathematical models for landscapes and realistic grass.
What specific tools or platforms are used in the course?
The course utilizes GLSL (OpenGL Shading Language) for shader development. Key tools include setting up an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) as covered in the 'IDE Setup & Template Code' lesson. The course does not specify a particular 3D engine or platform, focusing instead on the shader development process itself.
How does the course depth compare to other similar courses?
This course covers a wide range of topics, from basic shader concepts and lighting models to advanced procedural generation and post-processing effects. With 71 lessons, it provides a comprehensive exploration of GLSL shader creation, making it suitable for those seeking a detailed understanding rather than a brief overview.
What topics are not covered in the course?
The course does not cover the integration of shaders within specific game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine. It also does not delve into other shading languages such as HLSL or Metal. The focus is strictly on GLSL and the mathematical foundation behind creating various visual effects.
What is the expected time commitment for this course?
While the runtime is not specified, with 71 lessons, it is advisable for students to allocate several weeks to complete the course, depending on their familiarity with the material and the time spent on each project. Dedicating consistent weekly study sessions will help in absorbing the complex topics and techniques taught.