Reduce Shadow Banding and Improve Shadow Smoothness

Locate Shadow Settings

In the shader options menu, find the Shadows section. This controls how soft shadows are rendered and their overall quality.

Adjust Shadow Parameters

Common adjustments include:

• Shadow Distance: How far from the player shadows render (larger distances cost more performance)
• Shadow Softness/Blur: Increases the gradient between lit and shadowed areas, reducing hard edges
• Shadow Resolution: Higher values eliminate banding (visible bands of shadow) but increase GPU load
• Penumbra Size: Controls the transition zone between full shadow and full light

Test in Various Lighting

Walk around buildings, trees, and terrain during different times of day. Shadows should appear smooth and natural without visible bands or harsh lines. Early morning and late afternoon provide the best lighting for evaluating shadow quality.

Balance Performance

If shadow adjustments cause lag, reduce shadow distance first, then lower resolution. Softness and penumbra can often be increased with minimal performance impact while dramatically improving visual quality.