Learn GLSL Shaders from Scratch

In this course we’re going to look at GLSL ( OpenGL Shading Language) to create amazing effects.

Maybe you are

• a designer who has seen some terrific, cutting edge websites using cool transitions and wondered how it was done. You may have heard about WebGL and know that you can use some simple THREE.js code to do some remarkable things.

• a developer trying to visualise some data in a striking way.

• a game developer wanting to add some custom effects to your 3d objects surfaces.

GLSL is how you can use OpenGL to display a surface. The code syntax is based on the C language, but fear not, we will assume you have literally no knowledge of this language at all and we will, as the course title states, learn this from scratch. GLSL uses the GPU ( the Graphics Processing Unit) to handle multiple programs at the same time, so it is unbelievably fast.

In the course we will be writing code for the browser, because this allows us to focus on GLSL, without needing to worry about installing any additional software. We will be using the THREE.js WebGL library and CodePen so you can instantly edit the source and see the results, needing nothing other than a browser to experiment. Only a small amount of Javascript is used but this will be explained thoroughly as it comes along. But you can also use what you learn about GLSL in a C/C++/C# program or a Python program.

We will start from really simple examples and progress slowly through each stage of developing a custom shader. You will be able to play with the shader code on CodePen, so you can experiment with different valuesto see the impact it has on the end result.

GLSL shaders are split into vertex shaders and fragment shaders and we will focus initially on the fragment shader, working essentially in a 2d environment. With dozens of shaders in the course resources you will learn the language in gentle stages.

Creating your own shaders means understanding the GLSL language and that is the aim of the course. You could search for a suitable shader on ShaderToy, ShaderFrog or glslViewer and then try to adapt the code. But without knowing the language you’re going to find that difficult to do. To really be effective you need to know about the GLSL language, shaping functions, tiling, polar coordinates and lighting calculations. To do this you will need to follow along with the course and complete the many challenges suggested. At the end you will then be able to create any shader that you can imagine.

As usual there is a 30 day money back guarantee. So you have nothing to lose. Let’s get shading today!

What students say

“I came here interested in making a custom lighting shader on an obj model, and I really found answers to my questions and more. The two faced aspect of the lessons and the CodePen sketches [are] great. I thank you !”

“A great course! Methodical, step by step explanations not only of the GLSL but also of the general theory behind shaders, usable with any shader system. Essential if you are into computer graphics or generative art. Thank you!”

“I’ve tried to pick up shaders in the past but found it quite difficult. Unlike other resources I’ve found, this course was the course that finally helped me get a much better grasp of glsl. It is well structured and very informative. I would recommend it to anyone looking to pick up glsl.”

“This is exactly what I needed. I am a web designer/developer with design background and a good a good deal of javascript experience I’m trying to get into 3D visualizations for web. Since GLSL is written in C language it had been a huge barrier. I totally recommend this course to anyone having problems to get a clear understanding of GLSL.“

“So far this course has been really amazing. Very few courses on shaders really take the time to explain the math behind what’s happening in a way that let’s “non-math” folk develop an intuition for it. Great job!”

“I was always intimidated by the idea of GLSL, even though I’m an advanced front-end developer. I’ve always been terrible at math; and yet Nik’s style of teaching made me understand everything very intuitively and I’m so comfortable with shaders now. I’ve bought 60+ courses on Udemy; and I quit most of them after a couple videos. This one has me hooked on my chair until I finish everything! Coding along to this course is fun and Nik’s challenges feel very rewarding to either solve or understand through his crystal clear explanation!”

“This is a perfect course for anyone wanting to learn about GLSL in a gradual manner. The instructor makes sure to spend enough time in the basic functions of GLSL, so students can get a proper understanding before moving on to the next concept. I had found GLSL a bit daunting in the past because examples would get out of hand very quickly, so I really appreciate this course’s approach.“

“Another master piece of Mr. Lever. He is an incredible instructor and deep understanding of the math behind computer graphics. A must watch even if you are already an experienced CG programmer.”

Rating Distribution

• 1 stars: 11 votes
• 2 stars: 15 votes
• 3 stars: 68 votes
• 4 stars: 236 votes
• 5 stars: 468 votes

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have access to the course materials?

You can view and review the lecture materials indefinitely, like an on-demand channel.

Can I take my courses with me wherever I go?

Definitely! If you have an internet connection, courses on Udemy are available on any device at any time. If you don’t have an internet connection, some instructors also let their students download course lectures. That’s up to the instructor though, so make sure you get on their good side!