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Create a Selection Highlight with Unity Shader Graph

Edward Falzon

Shaders provide color and texture and some stunning visual effects to any game. Traditionally, shaders are written in code, and can be very complex to develop. Unity has introduced Shader Graph, a visual tool that allows non-coders to produce their own special-effect shaders. A highlight shader is a common effect in games, giving visual feedback to players as they search for interactible objects in a scene.

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Shaders provide color and texture and some stunning visual effects to any game. Traditionally, shaders are written in code, and can be very complex to develop. Unity has introduced Shader Graph, a visual tool that allows non-coders to produce their own special-effect shaders. A highlight shader is a common effect in games, giving visual feedback to players as they search for interactible objects in a scene.

In this one-hour, project-based course, you'll learn how to create a highlight shader using Unity's node-based Shader Graph. You'll become familiar with some of the basic nodes and their functions, building up a fully functional shader that has a configurable highlight component. You will also learn how to expose node properties to the Unity Inspector, allowing developers to use your shader just like any other in the editor.

The guided project will introduce you to the following Unity concepts:

- Shader Graph

- Materials

- Simple coding techniques including Materials.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Project Overview
In this one-hour, project-based course, you'll learn how to create a highlight shader using Unity's node-based Shader Graph. You'll become familiar with some of the basic nodes and their functions, building up a fully functional shader that has a configurable highlight component. You will also learn how to expose node properties to the Unity Inspector, allowing developers to use your shader just like any other in the editor.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Introduces learners to Shader Graph, a visual tool for developing special-effect shaders in Unity
Suitable for beginners with no coding experience
Develops skills in using node-based visual interfaces for shader creation
Demonstrates how to expose node properties to the Unity Inspector for easy customization
Scope limited to creating highlight shaders
May not be suitable for advanced users seeking comprehensive shader development knowledge

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Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for Create a Selection Highlight with Unity Shader Graph. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete Create a Selection Highlight with Unity Shader Graph will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Game Designer
A Game Designer designs the entire game, including the gameplay mechanics, levels, characters, and story. Because a Game Designer will work to implement the gameplay, it's important they have a good sense of generalist programming, as well as proficiency with game engines like Unity. This course will introduce students to game development, using the Unity Shader Graph. Shader Graph is the node-based visual tool that is used to create game visuals. This will give Game Designers who take this course a foundational understanding of working with Unity and writing shaders.
Technical Artist
A Technical Artist creates 3D models, textures, and animations for video games. This role also writes basic code, often with node-based tools, to optimize and implement assets into the game engine. This course can help someone in this role by providing an introduction to Unity's node-based shader creation system, Shader Graph. They will learn to work with basic shader nodes and their functions, building a fully functional shader that has a configurable highlight component.
Graphics Programmer
Graphics Programmers work to implement lighting, shading, and visual effects into code. Through the use of code, they modify the visual output of a graphics engine. This course is likely to be very useful to the Graphics Programmer, as it will teach them how to use Unity's node-based Shader Graph. Shader Graph is a visual tool that allows non-coders to produce their own special effects shaders. This will make it easier for Graphics Programmers to work with shaders in their code.
Level Designer
A Level Designer creates the physical spaces for a video game, where the characters move around. This role often works with 3D modeling software, and will help to create the look and feel of a game. Level Designers may also use node-based tools to create visual effects. This course will teach Level Designers how to use Unity's node-based Shader Graph visual tool to create highlight shaders. This will give Level Designers an easier way to incorporate this common visual effect into their work as well as build a strong foundation for future work in the field.
Mobile Developer
Mobile Developers create and modify mobile applications. Unity is a popular game engine used for mobile game creation. This course will teach Mobile Developers how to use Unity's node-based Shader Graph visual tool to create highlight shaders. This will make it easier for Mobile Developers to add visual feedback to their mobile games, which can improve the user experience.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design, develop, and implement software. While coders will generally specialize in a particular area of software, they are generalists at heart. A node-based coding tool for graphics, like Shader Graph, is versatile and can be used in a variety of programming scenarios. This makes it a valuable tool for Software Engineers to know, and this course will teach Software Engineers how to use it.
Project Manager
Project Managers plan, execute, and close projects. This course may be helpful to a Project Manager who works in the game development industry, as it will give them a basic understanding of how shaders are used in game development. However, for a Project Manager working in a non-game development industry, this course is unlikely to be useful.
Web Developer
Web Developers design and develop websites. This course is unlikely to be useful to a Web Developer, as Shader Graph is a node-based tool for creating graphics that is used in game development.
Database Administrator
Database Administrators ensure that an organization's databases are running smoothly and efficiently. This course is unlikely to be useful to a Database Administrator, as it teaches how to use Unity's node-based Shader Graph to create special effects shaders.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers develop and execute marketing plans to promote products and services. This course is unlikely to be useful to a Marketing Manager, as it teaches how to use Unity's node-based Shader Graph to create special effects shaders.
Sales Manager
Sales Managers lead and motivate sales teams to achieve sales goals. This course is unlikely to be useful to a Sales Manager, as it teaches how to use Unity's node-based Shader Graph to create special effects shaders.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts analyze and solve business problems. This course is unlikely to be useful to a Business Analyst, as it is about using Unity's node-based Shader Graph to create special effects shaders.
Data Analyst
Data Analysts collect, analyze, interpret, and present data to organizations. This course is unlikely to be useful to a Data Analyst, as it teaches how to use Unity's node-based Shader Graph to create special effects shaders.
Human Resources Manager
Human Resources Managers plan, direct, and coordinate the administrative functions of an organization. This course is unlikely to be useful to a Human Resources Manager, as it teaches how to use Unity's node-based Shader Graph to create special effects shaders.
UX Designer
UX Designers research, design, and test user interfaces (UI) for websites, software, and mobile applications. This course is unlikely to be useful to a UX Designer, as it teaches how to use Unity's node-based Shader Graph to create special effects shaders.

Reading list

We've selected 11 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Create a Selection Highlight with Unity Shader Graph.
Focuses specifically on shader programming for games. It covers topics such as real-time lighting, shadows, and post-processing effects. It great resource for anyone who wants to learn how to create visually stunning games.
A technical deep dive into advanced shader techniques, offering insights and best practices for developing high-quality shaders.
Covers advanced topics in Unity game development, including shader programming, physics, and AI. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to create more complex and sophisticated Unity games.
Comprehensive guide to real-time rendering. It covers topics such as lighting, shadows, and post-processing effects. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn about the latest techniques in real-time graphics.
A creative coding book that explores natural phenomena through code, including particle systems and generative art. Provides a different perspective on shader programming.
Collection of articles by leading experts in the field of shader programming. It covers topics such as physically based rendering, global illumination, and computational shaders. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn about the latest techniques in shader programming.
Practical guide to shader development. It covers topics such as lighting, shadows, and post-processing effects. It great resource for anyone who wants to learn how to create custom shaders for their games.
Provides a comprehensive overview of 3D game programming with DirectX 12. It covers topics such as 3D graphics, physics, and AI. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to create 3D games with DirectX 12.
A comprehensive reference guide to the GLSL shading language used in OpenGL and other graphics APIs. Provides a deep understanding of shader syntax and functionality.
A classic textbook that provides a comprehensive overview of computer graphics fundamentals, including shader programming. Suitable for students with a strong math and physics background.

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