About Shader Uniform Generator

Generate GLSL/HLSL uniform declarations from parameter descriptions. Part of the DevTools Surf developer suite. Browse more tools in the Game Dev collection.

Use Cases

• Graphics programmers scaffolding shader parameter declarations
• Game developers converting material properties to shader uniforms
• Technical artists setting up custom shader inputs for visual effects
• Engine developers generating uniform buffer layouts for rendering

Tips

• Group uniforms by update frequency — per-frame vs. per-object
• Use vec4 padding for uniform buffer alignment requirements
• Add descriptive comments for each uniform's expected range

Fun Facts

• GLSL (OpenGL Shading Language) was introduced with OpenGL 2.0 in 2004, replacing the ARB assembly language — it was designed by 3Dlabs engineer John Kessenich.
• The term 'uniform' in shader programming means a value that stays constant across all vertices/fragments in a single draw call — it comes from the mathematical concept of uniform distribution.
• HLSL was created by Microsoft for DirectX 9 in 2002 — despite being competitors, GLSL and HLSL are syntactically similar enough that cross-compilation tools like SPIRV-Cross can convert between them.

FAQ

GLSL or HLSL?

Both. HLSL targets DirectX and Unity URP/HDRP. GLSL for WebGL and raw OpenGL. Vulkan's GLSL-flavored shaders also supported.

What does it generate?

Uniform declarations with types, default values, and editor-friendly metadata (min/max ranges, tooltips).

Integration with Unity ShaderLab?

Yes — Unity's shader property block syntax with all the standard attributes (Range, Color, HDR, HideInInspector).

Plain uniforms or uniform buffer objects?

Both. Older shaders use loose uniforms; modern shaders use UBOs for better performance. Pick based on your target.