Gradient &
Liquid Fill
Shaders

01 — Getting StartedInstallation & Setup

Prismatica works out of the box. Pipeline detection runs automatically on first Editor load — no manual configuration needed.

Folder Structure

Assets/
└── Prismatica/
    ├── Shaders/
    │   ├── CoreShaderFiles/    ← GradientCore.hlsl, LiquidFillCore.hlsl
    │   ├── URP/                ← All URP shader variants
    │   └── HDRP/               ← All HDRP shaders (pipeline-guarded)
    ├── Scripts/
    │   ├── Editor/             ← GradientShaderGUI.cs, GradientShaderSetup.cs
    │   └── Runtime/            ← GradientSkySettings.cs, GradientSkyRenderer.cs
    └── Demo/                   ← 7 demo scenes

Pipeline Detection

Demo Scenes

02 — ArchitectureShared Core Design

All shaders share one of two HLSL core files. A fix in the core propagates to every variant automatically.

Precision System

// REAL macro — both core files
#if defined(SHADER_API_GLES3) || defined(SHADER_API_METAL) || defined(SHADER_API_WEBGL)
  #define REAL half   // mobile + WebGL → half precision, 2× ALU throughput
#else
  #define REAL float  // desktop → full float precision
#endif

SRP Batcher Compatibility

All material properties live in a single CBUFFER_START(UnityPerMaterial) block. Textures and samplers are declared outside the CBUFFER as required. Confirm in the Frame Debugger — look for SRP Batch.

03 — Gradient ShadersGradient_URP & Gradient_HDRP

General-purpose gradient shaders for 3D meshes, 2D sprites, UI Raw Images, and quads.

Cull Mode Guidance

04 — Gradient TypesAll Gradient Modes

Four core gradient types — same across all mesh, UI, and skybox shaders.

Gradient Modifiers

05 — UI ShadersGradientUI_URP & GradientUI_HDRP

Extends the base gradient with shape masking, a sweep arc cooldown mask, and a metallic highlight streak.

06 — Skybox ShadersGradient_Skybox_URP & HDRP

Full-sphere environment sky shaders using world-space view direction. All four gradient types, procedural sun disc, HDR brightness up to 5.

URP Sky Setup

HDRP Sky Setup

07 — LiquidFill ShadersAnimated Liquid Fill

Animated liquid simulation for 3D meshes, 2D sprites, and UI Canvas. Wave surface, glass shell, rim glow, and specular highlight — all independently toggleable.

Visual Layers

FillScale / FillBias

// Maps objectY range to fill level
REAL fillT = saturate(objectY * _FillScale + _FillBias + _FillAmount - 0.5);

Default maps objectY −0.5 → +0.5, matching Unity unit-scale meshes. Adjust for custom geometry.

08 — Use Case GuideWhich Shader to Use

09 — Properties ReferenceAll Shader Properties

10 — Custom InspectorGradientShaderGUI

One inspector class covers all Prismatica gradient shaders. Sections appear and disappear based on which properties exist in the active shader.

11 — Pipeline DetectionGradientShaderSetup

Editor-only script — handles all pipeline configuration automatically.

What It Does

• Queries the Package Manager for HDRP (com.unity.render-pipelines.high-definition)
• Writes GradientPipelineDefines.hlsl with or without the HDRP define
• Adds or removes PRISMATICA_HDRP_AVAILABLE from Player Settings scripting defines
• Scans all shader files and patches #include paths to actual file locations
• Only logs when something actually changes — silent on Play presses

12 — WebGL & MobilePlatform Compatibility

13 — HDRP NotesHDRP-Specific Details

Automatic Detection

When HDRP is installed, the setup script adds PRISMATICA_HDRP_AVAILABLE to Scripting Define Symbols automatically, enabling all HDRP shaders and the sky C# runtime files.

Time Variable

HDRP shaders use _TimeParameters.x instead of _Time.y — handled automatically.

HDRP Sky Volume

GradientSkySettings and GradientSkyRenderer are wrapped in #if PRISMATICA_HDRP_AVAILABLE — no errors in URP projects. Uses [SkyUniqueID(20260222)] to prevent ID collisions.

14 — PerformanceOptimisation Notes

Mobile Tips

• Keep Distortion and DitherAmount at 0 unless needed
• Set FlowSpeed = 0 for static materials — skips per-frame sine evaluation
• Disable UseGlass on LiquidFill materials that don't need the glass shell
• Use Gradient_URP over GradientUI_URP when sweep/metallic aren't needed