What Do You Need to Run Shaders with Fabric?
To embark on this journey of visual enhancement in Minecraft 1.21, players will need to gather a few essential components: Fabric, Sodium, and Iris. The installation process is straightforward, and here’s how to get started:
- Begin by visiting the official Fabric download page to obtain the installer. Once downloaded, run the installer to set up Fabric.
- For a seamless experience, it’s advisable to also install the Fabric API mod, which is detailed in our comprehensive guide linked here.
- Sodium and Iris, both integral Fabric mods, can be downloaded from their respective pages. Alternatively, follow our guides for a step-by-step installation of Sodium and Iris in Minecraft.
- After downloading the mods, simply drag and drop their files into the mods folder located within the main Minecraft directory. If the mods folder is absent, creating one is a simple task.
How to Download and Install Shaders for Minecraft Fabric
With Sodium and Iris successfully installed, it’s time to enhance your Minecraft experience with shaders. Here’s how to download and install shader packs:
- Navigate to the CurseForge website, a treasure trove of shader packs.
- Search for a shader pack compatible with Iris, as indicated in the info panel on the right side of the page.
- Locate the latest file that matches your game version, click on the three dots next to it, and then select the Download file option to acquire the shader pack.
Next, you’ll need to install the shader pack:
- Open the main Minecraft folder by entering %appdata%/.minecraft in the Run app on your Windows PC.
- Within this folder, locate and open the shaderpacks folder. Drag and drop the downloaded shader pack file into this folder, completing the installation process.
How to Use Shaders with Fabric in Minecraft
Now that your shaders are installed, it’s time to bring them to life in Minecraft. Follow these steps to activate your shaders:
- Launch the Minecraft Launcher and select Fabric Loader as your game version on the left side.
- Click the Play button to enter the game.
Once in the game, you can apply your shaders:
- Enter an existing world or create a new one, then pause the game.
- Navigate to the Options section and select Video Settings.
- Click on the Shader Pack tab at the top to view your options.
- Select the shader pack you wish to enable and click the Apply button at the bottom of the menu.
Upon closing the menu, your world will transform, showcasing the beauty of the shader pack you chose. Should you wish to experiment further, you can easily switch or disable shaders through the same menu. This flexibility allows players to explore various Fabric mods while enjoying their enhanced visual experience.
As you dive into this vibrant world, consider which shader pack will be your first choice. The possibilities are vast, and the visual journey awaits. Remember, while OptiFine is not compatible with Fabric, the OptiFabric mod can bridge that gap, providing similar functionalities for those who prefer OptiFine's features.