The Ultimate 2D & 3D Shader Graph VFX Unity Course from Udemy

Hello everyone, I’m Ramez Al Tabbaa, the developer of the AvoCuddle game on Steam and the Co-Founder of the Binary Lunar YouTube channel with more than 10k happy subscribers who enjoys more than 70 free tutorials; I have three years of experience in shader graph and gathered all my expertise in this 6 hours course. So, if you want to save time, effort, and money, this course is definitely for you.

Enter the shader graph world and bring your game visuals to life; this course will carry you from beginner to intermediate level in Shader Graph and VFX with steady steps.

Here is an overview of what you are expecting from this course; you will learn the core concepts behind shaders and render pipelines in the Unity engine, and we will cover the most used nodes in shader graph through the following topics where they increase in complexity as we proceed with the course:

2D fireball projectile shader graph
2D Wind Vegetation Shader Graph
2D Dissolve Shader Graph
2D Pixel Art Shader Graphs
Standard 3D Lit Shader Graph
3D Stylized Water Shader
3D Halftone Shader Graph
Sub-Surface Scattering (SSS) Shader Graph
Triplanar Shader Graph
Zelda Toon Shader Graph
Stylized Fire Projectile VFX
Fire Storm Axe Portal Punch VFX 1
Colors Theory

Always remember nothing is impossible with a strong will and consistency; your dreams are only limited by your imagination, so unleash your creativity and release your true protentional by understanding how Shader Graph works, then expanding your knowledge into endless possibilities.

What's inside

Syllabus

Understanding Shaders core concept and getting ready for using Shader Graph

This is an overview of what you expecting from this course, you will learn the core concepts behind shaders and render pipelines in unity engine and we will cover the following topics where they increase in complexity as we proceed with the course:

2D fireball projectile shader graph
2D Wind Vegetation Shader Graph (Vertex Movement Tutorial)
2D Dissolve Shader Graph
2D Pixel Art Shader Graphs
Standard 3D Lit Shader Graph - Physics-Based Rendering (PBR) Material
3D Stylized Water Shader
3D Halftone Shader Graph
Sub-Surface Scattering (SSS) Shader Graph
Triplanar Shader Graph
Zelda Toon Shader Graph
Stylized Fire Projectile VFX
Fire Storm Axe Portal Punch VFX 1
Colors Theory (Choose the most pleasing color combinations of color)

In this video, you will understand the difference between the coded shader and shader graph by providing a simple example of a shader that changes the color of the texture or game object.

In this video, you will learn about a render pipeline and familiarize yourself with the three Unity render pipeline types.

Built-in Render Pipeline
Universal Render Pipeline (URP)
High Definition Render Pipeline (HDRP)

Learn how to create your first Unity URP project.

Learn how to upgrade your built-in render pipeline project o to URP.

In this video, you will create the simplest 2D shader ever, which is the default shader to render a 2D sprite.

Learn how to draw the flames texture in photoshop an then how to import them to Unity.

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Covers a range of shader graph techniques, from 2D fireballs to 3D stylized water, which are commonly used in game development and visual effects

Progresses from basic shader concepts to more advanced techniques like sub-surface scattering and triplanar shaders, which allows learners to build skills gradually

Focuses on the Universal Render Pipeline (URP), which is a modern and performant rendering pipeline in Unity, making it relevant for current Unity projects

Includes sections on toon shaders and halftone effects, which are useful for creating stylized and unique visual aesthetics in games

Requires familiarity with the Unity engine, which may pose a barrier to entry for those without prior experience using the software

Includes a section on color theory, which is essential for creating visually appealing and harmonious effects, and helps learners understand the fundamentals of visual design

Reviews summary

Unity shader graph & vfx fundamentals

According to learners, this course is a highly effective introduction to Unity's Shader Graph and VFX, guiding students from beginner to intermediate levels. Students found the content clear and easy to follow, appreciating the instructor's ability to explain complex topics simply. The course provides a solid foundation, covering core concepts and offering practical examples like 2D and 3D effects, stylized shaders, and VFX. Many highlight the hands-on approach through creating various effects as a major strength. While some felt certain topics could benefit from more in-depth exploration or updates for newer Unity versions, the overall consensus is overwhelmingly positive, especially for those starting out in shader development.

Excellent starting point for newcomers.

"If you are a beginner in shader graph, I highly recommend this course."

"This course is perfect for anyone starting out with Unity shaders; it's very beginner-friendly."

"I had no prior experience, and this course walked me through everything I needed to know."

"It's exactly what I needed to get my feet wet in the world of shaders."

Provides essential base knowledge for shaders.

"This course gave me a really solid foundation in Shader Graph that I needed to start creating my own effects."

"I feel much more confident in my ability to work with shaders after taking this course."

"It covers the core concepts well, which is perfect for getting started."

"As a beginner, this course provided the crucial starting point I was looking for."

Course features helpful, hands-on projects.

"The hands-on projects, like the water shader and fire VFX, were incredibly helpful for learning."

"I loved creating the specific effects shown in the course; it made learning very practical."

"Building actual shaders and VFX alongside the instructor cemented the concepts for me."

"The examples provided are highly relevant and applicable to game development."

Instructor explains complex topics simply.

"Ramez explains the concepts very clearly, making it easy to understand even complex topics."

"The instructor does a great job breaking down difficult ideas into digestible pieces."

"I appreciated the way everything was explained step-by-step, making it simple to follow along."

"His explanations are easy to understand, even for someone new to shaders like me."

Some topics could be explored deeper.

"While great for basics, I felt some topics could have gone a little deeper into optimization or advanced techniques."

"It gives a good overview, but if you need expert-level knowledge, you might need additional resources."

"I wish there was more discussion on performance considerations for shaders."

"Some of the examples are relatively simple; I was hoping for slightly more complex scenarios."

Some content might be slightly outdated.

"Some parts of the course might be slightly outdated with the newest Unity versions, but it's generally easy to adapt."

"I had to figure out a few small things on my own due to changes in the Unity editor."

"It would be great if the course was updated to reflect the latest URP features or Unity versions."

"While the core principles are solid, some nodes or workflows have changed slightly."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Ultimate 2D & 3D Shader Graph VFX Unity Course with these activities:

Review Unity Render Pipelines

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Review the different render pipelines in Unity to better understand the context in which shader graphs are used.

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Read the official Unity documentation on render pipelines.
Compare and contrast the URP, HDRP, and Built-in pipelines.
Identify the strengths and weaknesses of each pipeline.

Read 'Unity Shaders and Effects Cookbook'

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Study a book that provides a practical guide to creating a wide range of shaders and visual effects in Unity.

View Unity Shaders and Effects Cookbook on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Unity Shaders and Effects Cookbook'.
Read the chapters relevant to the shader graph topics covered in the course.
Experiment with the code examples provided in the book.

Recreate Example Shaders

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Practice recreating the example shaders from the course from scratch to reinforce understanding of the nodes and their connections.

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Select an example shader from the course.
Without looking at the solution, attempt to recreate the shader in Shader Graph.
Compare your solution to the original and identify any differences.
Repeat with other example shaders.

Four other activities

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Create a Shader Graph Tutorial

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Create a written or video tutorial explaining a specific Shader Graph technique covered in the course to solidify understanding and share knowledge.

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Choose a specific Shader Graph technique from the course.
Prepare a script or outline for the tutorial.
Record a video or write a detailed explanation of the technique.
Share the tutorial on a relevant platform (e.g., YouTube, blog).

Create a Custom Shader Library

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Start a project to build a library of custom shaders using Shader Graph, experimenting with different effects and techniques learned in the course.

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Create a new Unity project or use an existing one.
Implement at least five different shaders based on the course content.
Document each shader with clear descriptions and usage instructions.
Organize the shaders into a reusable library.

Read 'Real-Time Rendering'

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Study a book that provides a comprehensive overview of real-time rendering techniques.

View Real-Time Rendering, Fourth Edition on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Real-Time Rendering'.
Read the chapters relevant to the shader graph topics covered in the course.
Take notes on the key concepts and algorithms.

Contribute to a Shader Graph Project

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Contribute to an open-source project that uses Shader Graph to gain experience working with others and learn from their techniques.

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Find an open-source project that uses Shader Graph.
Identify a bug or feature to work on.
Submit a pull request with your changes.
Respond to feedback from the project maintainers.

Career center

Learners who complete The Ultimate 2D & 3D Shader Graph VFX Unity Course will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Shader Developer

A Shader Developer is responsible for creating and implementing shaders to achieve specific visual effects in games or other visual applications. This course helps one become a Shader Developer by providing a comprehensive introduction to shader graph and visual effects using Unity. The course covers core concepts behind shaders and render pipelines, and covers the most used nodes in shader graph by creating 2D and 3D visuals such as fire projectiles, wind vegetation, stylized water, and toon shaders. By learning how to create these effects, one can develop the skills needed to excel as a Shader Developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Shader Developer

Visual Effects Artist

A Visual Effects Artist creates stunning visual effects for games, film, and other media. This course offers a great introduction to this career, as it teaches users the fundamentals of creating visual effects using Unity's shader graph. The course includes creating fire projectiles and stylized fire visual effects. It also explores color theory, which is a fantastic way to improve the quality of visual effects overall. This course can help one build a strong portfolio in this career path.

See salaries and explore the career path for Visual Effects Artist

Technical Artist

Technical Artists bridge the gap between artists and programmers, optimizing art assets and developing tools to improve art workflows. This course helps one grow into a Technical Artist by teaching shader graph and visual effects in Unity. By mastering the core concepts behind shaders and render pipelines, as well as learning how to create various 2D and 3D shader effects, one gains the technical skills needed to optimize art assets and develop efficient workflows. The course provides a great foundation for this career.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Artist

Unity Developer

Unity Developers use the Unity engine to create interactive experiences, often for games or simulations. This course helps a person grow into a Unity Developer by teaching shader graph and visual effects in the Unity environment. With a focus on practical projects such as creating fire projectiles and stylized water shaders, the course offers skills to enhance the visual quality of Unity projects. The course helps build a strong foundation for this career.

See salaries and explore the career path for Unity Developer

Game Developer

Game Developers are involved in the creation of video games. This course may be quite useful to anyone who wishes to become a Game Developer, and make their games stand out with stunning visuals. The course covers the core concepts behind shaders and render pipelines in the Unity engine. This course is a great fit for anyone who wants to become a Game Developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Developer

Digital Artist

Digital Artists create art using digital tools and technologies, often for games, film, or advertising. This course helps Digital Artists enhance their work by teaching them how to create custom shaders and visual effects. By learning how to create 2D and 3D shader effects such as stylized water and toon shaders, one can add unique visual styles to digital art. This course provides a strong foundation for Digital Artists looking to expand their skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Artist

Indie Game Developer

Indie Game Developers are solo or small team developers who create and publish their own games. To succeed in this field, an Indie Game Developer should have skills in a diverse set of areas. This course teaches how to create shaders and visual effects in Unity, which helps create visually appealing and unique games. Moreover, by understanding shader graph and render pipelines, indie developers can optimize their game's performance, which will yield a better experience for players.

See salaries and explore the career path for Indie Game Developer

3D Artist

3D Artists create three dimensional models and environments for games, film, and other media. This course may be useful for 3D Artists, as it provides the tools to enhance visual appeal and create unique effects. The course includes learning how to create stylized water shaders, halftone shaders, and sub-surface scattering effects. These skills can distinguish a 3D Artist by allowing them to make outstanding 3D art.

See salaries and explore the career path for 3D Artist

Simulation Developer

Simulation Developers create interactive simulations for training, education, or research purposes. This course can help one create realistic and engaging simulations. The course covers the core concepts behind shaders and render pipelines as well as the creation of effects, like stylized water. These skills will assist you in the role of Simulation Developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Simulation Developer

Real-Time Graphics Programmer

Real Time Graphics Programmers develop rendering techniques for real time applications such as video games and simulations. This course may be useful for one seeking this role, as the course covers the core concepts behind shaders and render pipelines in the Unity engine. By understanding these concepts and learning how to create various shader effects, one can enhance rendering techniques. For a career that also usually requires a master's degree, this course provides a foundation for further exploration.

See salaries and explore the career path for Real-Time Graphics Programmer

Virtual Reality Developer

Virtual Reality Developers create immersive experiences for virtual reality platforms. This course may be quite useful to anyone wanting to enter this growing field. The course covers the core concepts behind shaders and render pipelines in the Unity engine. With this knowledge, a Virtual Reality Developer may create impressive visuals that enhance the immersive experience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Virtual Reality Developer

Augmented Reality Developer

Augmented Reality Developers create interactive experiences that overlay digital content onto the real world. Augmented reality often uses Unity as its core development engine. Therefore, this course may be quite useful to those wanting to enter this growing field. Learning how to create shaders and visual effects through the use of Unity is a great way to become an Augmented Reality Developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Augmented Reality Developer

Motion Graphics Designer

Motion Graphics Designers create animated graphics and visual effects for various media. This course may be quite useful for Motion Graphics Designers who want to incorporate real time visual effects into their work. The course focuses on the fundamentals of creating visual effects in Unity, which offers a unique skill set for motion graphics. By mastering shader graph and visual effects, motion graphics can be elevated in new and exciting directions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Motion Graphics Designer

Software Developer

Software Developers are involved in the design, development, and testing of software applications. While this course focuses on visual effects within Unity, the underlying principles of shader programming can be valuable for a Software Developer. Understanding how shaders work and how to optimize visual performance can provide a competitive edge, especially when working on projects that require high performance graphics.

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Web Developer

Web Developers create and maintain websites. While shaders are typically associated with game development, understanding shader concepts can be beneficial for creating interactive and visually appealing web experiences using WebGL. This course may be useful in understanding the fundamentals of shader programming and visual effects, which can be applied to create unique web visuals. This course may broaden the skill set of a Web Developer.

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The Ultimate 2D & 3D Shader Graph VFX Unity Course

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What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Unity shader graph & vfx fundamentals

Activities

Career center

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