JustVanilla Shaders FAQ

Open Options > Video Settings > Shader Packs, click JustVanilla in the list, then press Done. The screen may freeze briefly while the shader loads. After that, your world will show real-time shadows.

Yes. JustVanilla is a shader pack, so it needs a shader loader such as OptiFine or Iris to run. Without one there is no Shader Packs menu, and the game renders plain vanilla.

The pack is usually not selected, so check that the Shader Packs screen shows JustVanilla highlighted instead of OFF. If it is selected, look outside during the day in an open area, because shadows from blocks and trees are easiest to see in direct sunlight.

It is built to run smoothly on budget systems and older low-end computers, and it keeps frame rates stable during normal survival gameplay. If you still notice drops, lower your render distance first. That setting usually costs far more performance than the shader does.

No. It keeps the classic vanilla look and does not alter core textures. It only adds lighting and shadow detail on top of what you already see, so blocks, skies, and terrain stay familiar.

Shadows are cast under blocks, trees, and custom structures. Anything you build will throw real-time shadows just like natural terrain does.

No. It improves ambient sunlight and moonlight without washing out world colors. The world should look like vanilla with richer, more natural lighting.

Yes. It improves moonlight as well as sunlight, so nighttime gets subtle lighting detail instead of looking flat. Shadows are strongest and clearest in daylight, though.

No. Shaders are rendered on your own computer, so you can use JustVanilla on any server or singleplayer world. Other players will only see shadows if they turn it on themselves.

Turn the shader on, frame your build in direct sunlight, and press F2 to save a screenshot. Morning and evening work well because the low sun angle makes the real-time shadows across your structures easier to see.