threejs-shaders

name	threejs-shaders
description	Three.js shaders - GLSL, ShaderMaterial, uniforms, custom effects. Use when creating custom visual effects, modifying vertices, writing fragment shaders, or extending built-in materials.
type	skill
created	2026-02-27T00:00:00.000Z
domain	design-creative
category	3d-animation
risk	unknown
source	community
tags	["skill","design-creative","3d-animation","threejs","shaders"]

Three.js Shaders

When to Use

• You need custom shader logic in Three.js.
• The task involves ShaderMaterial, uniforms, GLSL, vertex deformation, or fragment-based effects.
• You are extending material behavior beyond what built-in materials provide.

Quick Start

import * as THREE from "three";

const material = new THREE.ShaderMaterial({
  uniforms: {
    time: { value: 0 },
    color: { value: new THREE.Color(0xff0000) },
  },
  vertexShader: `
    void main() {
      gl_Position = projectionMatrix * modelViewMatrix * vec4(position, 1.0);
    }
  `,
  fragmentShader: `
    uniform vec3 color;

    void main() {
      gl_FragColor = vec4(color, 1.0);
    }
  `,
});

// Update in animation loop
material.uniforms.time.value = clock.getElapsedTime();

ShaderMaterial vs RawShaderMaterial

ShaderMaterial

Three.js provides built-in uniforms and attributes.

const material = new THREE.ShaderMaterial({
  vertexShader: `
    // Built-in uniforms available:
    // uniform mat4 modelMatrix;
    // uniform mat4 modelViewMatrix;
    // uniform mat4 projectionMatrix;
    // uniform mat4 viewMatrix;
    // uniform mat3 normalMatrix;
    // uniform vec3 cameraPosition;

    // Built-in attributes available:
    // attribute vec3 position;
    // attribute vec3 normal;
    // attribute vec2 uv;

    void main() {
      gl_Position = projectionMatrix * modelViewMatrix * vec4(position, 1.0);
    }
  `,
  : ,
});