AstraLex Shaders — Guide
Visual Enhancements and Mechanics
AstraLex Shaders does not add new blocks or items to the game's inventory; instead, it fundamentally changes the rendering mechanics of existing Minecraft elements.
Lighting and Shadows
- Volumetric Lighting: Simulates light scattering through the atmosphere, creating 'God Rays' through trees and windows.
- Dynamic Shadows: Real-time shadows that change length and direction based on the sun and moon's position.
- Colored Light Sources: Emissive blocks like torches, glowstone, and lanterns cast light in their respective colors.
- Emissive Ores: Ores glow in the dark, making them easier to spot during cave exploration.
Water and Liquids
- Refraction and Reflection: Water surfaces realistically reflect the sky and surrounding terrain while distorting the view of objects underwater.
- Wave Dynamics: Procedural waves that react to weather conditions.
- Underwater Fog: A dense, color-tinted fog that limits visibility and adds depth to oceans.
Atmospheric Effects
- Custom Skybox: Includes high-resolution stars, planets, and a customizable moon.
- Auroras: Colorful northern lights that appear in cold biomes at night.
- Weather Overhauls: Rain includes 'puddle' effects on flat surfaces and misty horizons.
Cinematic Post-Processing
The 'AstraLex' identity is defined by its cinematic options, which can be toggled in the Shader Options menu.
| Effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Depth of Field (DoF) | Blurs the background or foreground based on where the player is looking. |
| Motion Blur | Adds a blur effect to camera movements to simulate high-speed motion. |
| Bloom | Causes bright light sources to 'bleed' or glow into surrounding pixels. |
| Lens Flare | Simulates light scattering within a camera lens when looking toward the sun. |
| Chromatic Aberration | Adds a slight color-fringing effect to the edges of the screen. |
| Cel Shading | Adds black outlines to blocks and entities for a comic-book or 'Borderlands' aesthetic. |
| CRT/Retro Mode | Applies a scanline filter to mimic old-school monitors. |
Special Screen Effects
AstraLex features a unique 'Screen Effects' system that provides visual feedback for survival mechanics:
- Damage Overlay: A blood-splatter effect appears on the screen edges when the player takes damage.
- Low Health: The screen desaturates or pulses when health is critically low.
- Environmental Effects: Frost appears on the screen in snowy biomes, and water droplets appear when exiting the water or during rain.
- In-Game Logo: A subtle 'AstraLex' branding can be enabled to appear in the sky or on the HUD.