Minecraft Java Edition Installing Shaders ICEHC MakerSpace University At Albany

Shaders are used to enhance your gameplay experience in Minecraft by making the environment more realistic. Although it may appear slow on the computer screen, it is possible to adjust shaders to your computer specs to get the exact same experience.

No Shaders Versus Shaders Comparison Installation GuideOptiFine Getting and Installing Shaders

To start off, why should we use shaders? Take a look at these two comparisons. The left is devoid of shaders and the right has the shaders which we will install in this demonstration.

Installation Guide

OptiFine Installation

1. You will need OptiFine to use shaders. Check which Minecraft: Java Edition version are you using. To figure this out, launch up the Minecraft Launcher and look at the bottom left next to the 'PLAY' button. In this demonstration, you are viewing the 1.16.3 version.

2. Head over to https://optifine.net/downloads To view more versions, click on 'Show all versions'. We'll be using Minecraft Optifine 1.6.3 HD U G4, the most recent and stable version as of November 2, 2020. Click (Mirror), then Download'.

The reason for clicking '(Mirror)' instead of 'Download' is because it skips a URL shortener that is infested with ads that we do not want to click.

If any ads are presented, you should not click on them. Only the buttons shown in the images below should be clicked. Minecraft servers list

Your browser/anti-virus may not allow the file to download and it will show like this if you're using Google Chrome browser. The reason for this message is because executable .jar files can be used to execute viruses. Optifine is fine to use in this instance, as long as you download it from the official website. This is the one we use. Click 'Keep' to finalize the download.

3. Run the 'OptiFine_1.16.3_HD_U_G4.jar' file by double-clicking it.

4. The default folder should contain your Minecraft. It will automatically locate it, so there is no extra step. If it fails to find it click on the '...'. To proceed, click 'Install'

Congratulations! Congratulations!

5. If your Minecraft Launcher is previously open from Step 1 exit it and launch it again.

You will notice that there is an additional option called OptiFine that has replaced the latest release. Minecraft servers list If you don't see it, click the dropdown menu and choose the OptiFine edition with their logo.

6. Click PLAY> and wait for Minecraft launching.

How to Install Shaders

1. The go-to website for legitimate shaders is through CurseForge located here: https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/customization.

There are many different shaders and it is up to you which shaders you prefer through experimentation. For this example we will be using BSL Shaders located here: https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/customization/bsl-shaders

2. Click 'Download' and after 5 seconds, it will automatically download.

3. Go back to Minecraft as it was loaded in step 6 of the OptiFine Installation section. Click 'Options ...'

Click on the 'Video Settings ... button.

Next, click on Shaders ...'

And finally, we will click on 'Shaders Folder' to be directed to the folder where we will install the shader in.

4. We will open the shader folder and drag the shader that we have previously downloaded into it.

5. Go back to your Minecraft and we will see that our shader has successfully been installed. Click on it to activate it.

Congratulations! Congratulations! After the shaders have successfully loaded, you can return to the main screen to load up a new world or join a multiplayer server.