# SKShader An object that allows you to apply a custom fragment shader. ``` class SKShader ``` ## Overview An [`SKShader`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKShader) object holds a custom OpenGL ES fragment shader. Shader objects are used to customize the drawing behavior of many different kinds of nodes in SpriteKit. To use a custom shader, create an [`SKShader`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKShader) object and provide the source for the custom fragment shader. If your shader needs to provide uniform data to the shader, create one or more [`SKUniform`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKUniform) objects and associate them with the shader object. If your shader needs to provide per-node data to the shader, create one or more [`SKAttribute`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKAttribute) objects and associate them with the relevant nodes. Then, assign the shader object to the [`shader`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKSpriteNode/shader) property of any sprites that need the custom behavior. Compiling a shader and the uniform data associated with it can be expensive. Because of this, you should: - Initialize shader objects when your game launches, not while the game is running. - Avoid changing the shader’s source or changing the list of uniforms or attributes while your game is running. Either of these things recompiles the shader. - Share shader objects whenever possible. If multiple sprites need the same behavior, create one shader object and associate it with every sprite that needs that behavior. Do not create a separate shader for each sprite. > Important: > ``doc://com.apple.spritekit/documentation/SpriteKit/SKShader`` does not support OpenGL Extensions. SpriteKit will return an error if you compile a project containing a fragment shader using extensions. ## Topics ### Creating a Shader [Creating a Custom Fragment Shader](/documentation/SpriteKit/creating-a-custom-fragment-shader) Write a fragment shader using the set of SpriteKit-exposed symbols, and supply it with custom data. [`init(fileNamed:)`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKShader/init(fileNamed:)) Creates a new shader object by loading the source for a fragment shader from a file stored in the app’s bundle. [`shaderWithSource:uniforms:`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKShader/shaderWithSource:uniforms:) Creates a new shader object using the specified source and uniform data. [`shaderWithSource:`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKShader/shaderWithSource:) Creates a new shader object using the specified source code. [`shader`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKShader/shader) Creates a new empty shader object. [`init(source:uniforms:)`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKShader/init(source:uniforms:)) Initializes a new shader object using the specified source and uniform data. [`init(source:)`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKShader/init(source:)) Initializes a new shader object using the specified source code. ### Providing Uniform Data to a Shader [`addUniform(_:)`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKShader/addUniform(_:)) Adds a uniform to the shader. [`removeUniformNamed(_:)`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKShader/removeUniformNamed(_:)) Removes a uniform from the shader. [`uniforms`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKShader/uniforms) The list of uniforms associated with the shader. [`uniformNamed(_:)`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKShader/uniformNamed(_:)) Returns the uniform object corresponding to a particular uniform variable. ### Providing Attribute Data to a Shader [`attributes`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKShader/attributes) The list of attributes associated with the shader. ### Accessing or Setting a Shader’s Source Code [`source`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKShader/source) The source code for the shader. ### Executing Shaders in Metal and OpenGL [Executing Shaders in Metal and OpenGL](/documentation/SpriteKit/executing-shaders-in-metal-and-opengl) Toggle between renderers to make sure your shader code compiles in both the Metal and OpenGL environments. --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)