Optimize Performance While Using Cel Shading
Reduce Shadow Quality
Cel shading can be demanding due to shadow calculations. In shader options, look for shadow distance, shadow resolution, or shadow quality settings. Lowering these values reduces the area and detail of shadows, freeing up GPU resources without destroying the cel aesthetic.
Disable Advanced Lighting Features
Check for toggles related to ambient occlusion, parallax mapping, or specular highlights. Disabling these optional effects can significantly improve frame rates while maintaining the core cel-shaded look.
Adjust Render Distance Carefully
Cel shading processes every visible block's lighting. If performance suffers, lower your render distance slightly—this has a direct impact on how many blocks need shader calculations each frame.
Monitor and Test
After each change, spend a few minutes exploring varied terrain (caves, open sky, forests) to ensure performance is acceptable. Use F3 debug screen to check frame rates. Balance visual quality with smooth gameplay based on your hardware.