Learn to Make Awesome GLSL Shaders!


You could be:

  • An aspiring graphics programmer
  • A game developer looking to expand their skill set
  • An artist looking trying to create cool new effects
  • A web developer trying to build a cutting edge website


This is a beginner friendly course, no prior knowledge of shader programming is assumed.


We will learn:

  • GLSL fundamentals
  • Geometry deformation via Vertex Shaders
  • Procedural techniques
  • SDF's (signed distance functions)
  • Colour manipulation & post processing effects
  • Integrating complex lighting models
  • And more!


All projects may be used in your own projects afterwards.

Learn While Building


Check out some of the cool and interesting projects that we'll be building as part of the course.

Planet Shader

This planet, the stars around it, everything, is just a single shader.

Post Processing

Learn techniques for simple post processing effects.

Signed Distance Functions

What they are and why they're so cool.

Procedural Noise

Learn about noise, and ways of combining it to create more advanced effects.

2D UI Displays

Build dynamic 2D UI displays completely procedurally.

Lighting Models

Explore how lighting models work, and integrate standard lighting and toon shading into shaders.

Your Instructor


Hi, I'm Simon. I'm an ex-Google Engineer, ex-graphics programmer.


Throughout my game development career, I specialized in 3D Graphics and optimization, and my time at Google was spent in optimization and leading the performance infrastructure for Chrome. I started my career in the early 2000's working on the original XBox and Playstation 2, so that's about 20 years of experience in total. I've been around.

Course Curriculum


  Preview
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  Section 1 - Introduction & Background
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  Section 2 - Your First Shader
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  Section 3 - Textures
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  Section 4 - Common Functions & Tricks
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  Section 5 - Vector Operations & Math
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  Section 6 - Lighting Models
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  Section 7 - Vertex Shaders
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  Section 8 - SDF's & Simple Shapes
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  Section 9 - Noise
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  Section 10 - PostFX
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  Section 11 - Planet Shader
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  Section 12 - Raymarching
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  Section 13 - Grass
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  Particles
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Frequently Asked Questions



What are the prerequisites?

This course is pretty beginner friendly, and moves at a slow pace. That being said, you should definitely have some sort of programming experience, my free Javascript playlist is sufficient: Youtube Link.

Some basic familiarity with vector math, or a willingness to pick that up on the side, is also helpful.

If you need help with the math, there my SimonDev Game Math Course available, which is beginner friendly


What if I don't like the course?

That's unfortunate! If something is unclear or you have any issues with the course, we'll try to support you as quickly as possible and answer any questions you may have. If you're still unsatisfied with your purchase, please contact us within 30 days of purchasing for a refund.


How long do I have access?

For as long as you need! After enrolling, you will have unlimited access for as long as you like.