OBS Shader Files

OBS Shader Files are plain text files that are used to customize the appearance of scenes in OBS Studio. They allow programmers and designers to create custom visual effects, including color correction, image filters, and transitions, among others.

File Format

OBS Shader Files are saved with the .effect file extension and are written in a custom syntax that resembles C++. Each file contains a single shader program that is compiled and executed by OBS at runtime. The syntax includes the usual shader code blocks, including Vertex shaders, Fragment shaders, Uniforms, and Samplers.

Creating Shader Files

Creating OBS Shader Files can be done using any text editor or Integrated Development Environment (IDE) of your choice. The files can be saved directly into your OBS Studio installation directory, making them easily accessible from within the application. However, it is recommended to save them in a separate directory and add that directory to OBS Studio's shader search path.

Examples

Here is an example of an OBS Shader File that applies a black and white filter to an input image:

uniform sampler2D image;
uniform float strength;

void main()
{
  vec4 color = texture2D(image, gl_TexCoord[0].st);
  float gray = dot(color.rgb, vec3(0.2126, 0.7152, 0.0722));
  color.rgb = mix(color.rgb, vec3(gray), strength);
  gl_FragColor = color;
}

This example demonstrates the basic structure of an OBS Shader File. It includes a uniform variable to adjust the strength of the filter and a sampler2D to access the input image. The main function applies the black and white effect using a dot product and a mix function, and finally outputs the modified color with the pre-defined gl_FragColor variable.

Conclusion

OBS Shader Files offer a simple yet powerful solution for customizing the appearance of OBS Studio scenes. By using their custom syntax, programmers and designers can create a wide range of visual effects that can be applied to images, videos, and even text. With their ease of use and versatility, OBS Shader Files are a great tool for any content creator looking to take their visuals to the next level.