Shaders broken down
Most shader tools fall into one of two extremes. They're either powerful but hard to get into, or easy to use but quickly limiting. Shadyr is built to sit in the middle. You can start by tweaking values and seeing immediate results, then move into the code when you're ready to understand what's actually happening. This isn't a high-end editor for experts only, it's something you can grow into.
Shadyr gives you three different ways to work with shaders: a node graph, direct GLSL editing, and a learning guide. Each one is its own workflow. You can experiment visually, follow structured lessons, or write raw code, without those modes interfering with each other or breaking your source.
Change something
Load a preset. Move a value. Don't worry about understanding it yet, just see what changes on screen.
See what happens
The preview updates instantly. Watch what reacts and what doesn't.
Repeat
Keep changing things. Break it, fix it, and start noticing patterns.
What you can do
A shader environment built around direct feedback so you can see exactly what your changes are doing.
Nodes and Code
Build logic visually in the node graph, or write raw GLSL. Use nodes to understand structure, then move into code when you need control.
Live preview
Every change renders instantly. Click and drag on the preview to feed mouse input into your shader in real time.
Multi-pass pipelines
Build layered effects, feedback loops, and post-processing. Passes can feed into each other freely.
Image, video and audio inputs
Use your own images, video, or audio as inputs. React to sound, process footage, or chain passes together.
Starter presets
A set of shaders you can learn from and modify. Save your own and they persist locally.
Shadertoy-compatible
Coming from Shadertoy? iTime, iResolution, iChannel0 all
normalize automatically. Paste and run.
Four panels. One flow.
Everything is visible and in sync. No hidden menus, no context switching. Just the shader and the tools around it.
Built for anyone who wants to understand this properly.
From complete beginners to people already writing shaders.
Complete beginners
Never touched a shader? Start with presets and simple controls. Learn by seeing what changes.
Graphics learners
Learning game dev or graphics programming? This helps connect the math to something visible.
Creative coders
Just want to make visuals? Use the node system to build effects quickly without getting stuck in syntax.
Experienced devs
Already know GLSL? Use it as a fast environment for testing ideas and building multi-pass effects.
You don't learn shaders by reading.
You learn by changing things and seeing what happens.
Load a preset and change it
Start with something that already works. Change values and watch what reacts.
Look at the structure
Open the node graph. You don't need to understand everything yet, just follow the connections.
Check the code
Switch to the code editor and start recognising patterns like time, UVs, and color values.
Break it on purpose
Change things that look wrong. Seeing it fail helps you understand what matters.
Build something small
A gradient, a shape, something moving. Finishing something yourself is where it clicks.
How do you want to start?
Jump in wherever feels right. You can always switch later, it's the same shader, just a different view.
Choose your starting point
Pick what feels right. There's no wrong answer, every path leads to the same place. You can change your mind at any time from within the app.
Read the Conceptual Guide