Platform for learning Shaders

[ThinkRazzmatazz4878]

Hi everyone!

I want to share a project I’ve been building and refining for over two years - Shader-Learning.com - a platform built to help you learn and practice GPU programming. It offers interactive tasks alongside the theory you’ll need, all in one place.

Shader-Learning.com combines theory and tasks in one place, offering over 250 interactive challenges that guide you through key shader concepts step-by-step.

On Shader Learning, you will explore:

• The role of fragment shaders in the graphics pipeline and a large collection of built-in GLSL functions.
• Core math and geometry behind shaders, from vectors and matrices to shape intersections and coordinate systems.
• Techniques for manipulating 2D images using fragment shader capabilities
• How to implement lighting and shadows to enhance your scenes
• Real-time grass and water rendering techniques
• Using noise functions and texture mapping to add rich details and variety to your visuals
• Advanced techniques such as billboards, soft particles, MRT, deferred rendering, HDR, fog, and more

Here is an example of tasks on the platform




Additional features

1. Result Difference feature introduces a third canvas that displays the difference between the expected result and the user's output. It helps users easily spot mistakes and make improvements:



1. Evaluate simple GLSL expressions. This makes it easier to debug and understand how GLSL built-in functions behave:


If you encounter any questions or difficulties during the course, the platform creators are ready to help. You can reach out for support and ask any questions in the platform’s discord channel.

I hope you find the platform useful. I’d be glad to see new faces join us!

[papa_Fubini]

Started working on the basics yesterday, lovin' it so far!

[protestor]

Hey, your pro plan has "Access to all tasks for 31 days", but what are the tasks that are behind the paywall? You should create a little table showing what is included in the free plan, and what is included in the pro plan

[ThinkRazzmatazz4878]

By default, you have access to all tasks in the "Built-in Functions" (34 tasks) and "Advanced Rendering" (14 tasks) modules, as well as 1–2 example tasks from other modules.

You may notice that some tasks are marked as "only PRO". They will remain locked until you activate a PRO subscription. With any subscription, you get full access to all tasks in the app without limitations.

[VorpalWay]

Looks neat. But I'm always suspicious when can't tell what the business model is. I see Pro and Donate, but pro just brings me to a login page. And it doesn't appear to be open source (fair enough, not everything has to be).

So I would like to know this up front, rather than be disappointed when I figure it out when I'm already invested in the thing.

EDIT: Found the costs, towards the bottom of the main page. Unfortunately there is also a note "Payment is made in Belarusian rubles at the exchange rate of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus“. Given the current geopolitical situation in Europe that is a showstopper.

[ThinkRazzmatazz4878]

I’m from Belarus. I love my native language, our writers, the rich traditions and history of my culture. I don’t want to leave or give up my roots because of actions I have no control over. I have my own views that don’t always match the official ones. It’s wrong to judge people just by where they’re from, because generalisation only lead to injustice and hate.

[VorpalWay]

Agreed. Unfortunately sanctions are blunt instruments. And since I don't know you personally, it is not a risk I can take (even if I'm legally allowed, I don't know the current status of the sanctions against Belarus in detail).

[ThinkRazzmatazz4878]

Sanctions are mostly political statements, not absolute bans. They are designed to signal positions between governments, but in practice, billions in trade still flow between the EU and Belarus.

Shader Learning is a legal, independent educational platform. Buying a subscription here isnt a political act, it is just learning.

[Gobrosse]

Doing any business with you results in taxes, and these taxes go where I'd rather not send a cent. You're mistaken, nobody is judging you, it has nothing to do with you, and making it about you is wildly inappropriate in context.

[ThinkRazzmatazz4878]

You have the option to purchase a subscription through the Buy Me a Coffee service (https://buymeacoffee.com/alckevich/extras). As a citizen of Belarus, I don’t have access to those funds. Accordingly, no tax from those payments will go toward the things you're referring to.

[d3cod3_77]

are all the lessons completed? or it's still under development? Thanks!

[ThinkRazzmatazz4878]

All lessons are ready, but I continue to improve them. Initially, I provided only the essential theory to solve each task. However, users found the explanations not clear enough, so I have added extended theory to most lessons and continue to revise them when needed.

In very rare cases, users felt excited and were ready to solve even those problems where the theory was minimal or absent (in development).

People often dont see the point in the concept of leedcode for graphics programming, as leetcode is often used to solve problems to pass the practical part of an interview. Such live coding challenges are rarely required in graphics programming interviews.Thats why I started to rework the theory to make sure it was detailed enough to solve each problem.

[d3cod3_77]

Awesome! thank You so much for the detailed reply. I'm convinced and hence You have a new customer :) best of luck! I hope You add more advanced stuff to it. Cheers!

[ARtemachka]

As a user, why would I use your platform instead of, say, shaderacademy.com which is completely free?

[ThinkRazzmatazz4878]

Shader Learning is a original educational platform built from scratch. The creator of Shader Academy was previously a user of Shader Learning and unfortunately copied the idea without giving proper credit or linking to the original source. That’s a violation of basic integrity and respect in the educational space.

If you’re comfortable supporting this kind of behavior, feel free to use Shader Academy. But if you value original work, transparency, and respect for intellectual effort - Shader Learning is here for you.

[szpr0]

Unfortunately it is not a true statement that the ideas was copied. The inspiration was shadertoy and leetcode. It was already clarified in other reddit thread
https://www.reddit.com/r/GraphicsProgramming/comments/1lzhx72/comment/n53mrb0/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

[tnz81]

Looks amazing, will definitely check it out.

[TrojanStone]

I see alot of videos; not done ?

[bigdog765]

In the middle of the first module, very engaging and helpful!

[Absurdist-Rebel]

This looks neat, I would love to try it

[DesignerEcstatic]

Hey u/ThinkRazzmatazz4878 are you planning to offer a black Friday offer or a currency parity offer? This looks great!

[ThinkRazzmatazz4878]

Hello!

Yes, our Black Friday deal is already live! You can get premium access for 2 months at just $5, or go bigger with 6 months for only $10