Material Layers
How it works

Architecture Overview

The Material Layers architecture, top to bottom.

The Material Layers architecture, top to bottom.

LayerStack > LayerGraph > LayerNodes > LayerMaterials > LayerShaders

  • LayerShader: The gdshader code that makes everything work. You write normal gdshader, with a few additions to connect it to the layer chain. See What are LayerShaders.
  • LayerMaterial: Material resource that uses a LayerShader. Each type has its own purpose. See What are LayerMaterials.
  • LayerNode: Contains a LayerMaterial for use in a LayerGraph. See What is a LayerGraph.
  • LayerGraph: Node graph resource containing LayerNodes. The layering work is done here. See What is a LayerGraph.
  • LayerStack: Uses a LayerGraph to generate the layered material. See What is a LayerStack.

Writing DataShaders

A practical example of a DataShader that samples a texture once and passes it up the chain.

What are LayerMaterials

The four LayerMaterial types - SurfaceMaterial, MaskMaterial, OverlayMaterial and DataMaterial - and what each is for.

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