Shader reference
Shader Library
Learn what common ReShade shaders do, when they are useful, whether they require depth, and what visual effect they produce.
CAS
Sharpening
Increases image sharpness after rendering and restores perceived detail.
- Depth requirement
- Does not normally require depth information.
- Performance
- Usually has a very small performance impact.
- Typical use
- Useful when the game looks slightly blurry.
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What this shader does
Increases image sharpness after rendering and restores perceived detail.
When to use it
Use it when the image lacks detail but does not need stronger contrast or colour changes.
Depth requirement
Does not normally require depth information, so it can work from the finished image alone.
Performance
Usually has a very small performance impact.
Common issues
Too much sharpening may create bright or dark halos around edges.
Package information
The built-in registry matches this shader to SweetFX by CeeJay.dk. Open a package to see what it is and which effects ShaderScope recognizes.
Used by Inspector: When a preset uses this shader, Inspector links here.
Desktop: Desktop can verify whether this shader actually exists in your installation.
MXAO
Ambient occlusion
Adds contact shadows around objects and where surfaces meet, giving scenes more depth.
- Depth requirement
- Requires a working depth buffer.
- Performance
- Can have a noticeable performance impact, especially at stronger quality settings.
- Typical use
- Useful when objects and corners look flat or disconnected from the scene.
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What this shader does
Adds contact shadows around objects and where surfaces meet, giving scenes more depth.
When to use it
Use it when you want stronger ambient occlusion and the game exposes a usable depth buffer.
Depth requirement
Requires a working depth buffer. This means ReShade must be able to read scene depth from the game; otherwise the effect may not work correctly.
Performance
Can have a noticeable performance impact, especially at stronger quality settings.
Common issues
If depth is unavailable, this shader may appear to do nothing or produce an incorrect result.
Package information
The built-in registry matches this shader to qUINT. Open a package to see what it is and which effects ShaderScope recognizes.
Used by Inspector: When a preset uses this shader, Inspector links here.
Desktop: Desktop can verify whether this shader actually exists in your installation.
Clarity
Local contrast
Adjusts local contrast so medium-sized image details stand out more clearly.
- Depth requirement
- Does not normally require depth information.
- Performance
- Usually has a small performance impact.
- Typical use
- Useful for adding definition without changing the overall colour grade.
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What this shader does
Adjusts local contrast so medium-sized image details stand out more clearly.
When to use it
Use it when the image feels flat or hazy and ordinary sharpening is not enough.
Depth requirement
Does not normally require depth information, so it can work from the finished image alone.
Performance
Usually has a small performance impact.
Package information
The built-in registry matches this shader to AstrayFX by BlueSkyDefender. Open a package to see what it is and which effects ShaderScope recognizes.
Used by Inspector: When a preset uses this shader, Inspector links here.
Desktop: Desktop can verify whether this shader actually exists in your installation.
Bloom
Lighting
Adds a soft glow around bright parts of the image.
- Depth requirement
- Does not normally require depth information.
- Performance
- Usually has a moderate performance impact, depending on the implementation and settings.
- Typical use
- Useful for making lights, highlights, and emissive surfaces feel brighter.
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What this shader does
Adds a soft glow around bright parts of the image.
When to use it
Use it when bright areas need a softer glow or more cinematic lighting.
Depth requirement
Does not normally require depth information, so it can work from the finished image alone.
Performance
Usually has a moderate performance impact, depending on the implementation and settings.
Common issues
Strong settings can wash out bright scenes or hide detail around highlights.
Package information
The built-in registry matches this shader to qUINT or Legacy effects. Open a package to see what it is and which effects ShaderScope recognizes.
Used by Inspector: When a preset uses this shader, Inspector links here.
Desktop: Desktop can verify whether this shader actually exists in your installation.
LUT
Color grading
Remaps colours through a lookup texture to apply a prepared colour grade.
- Depth requirement
- Does not normally require depth information.
- Performance
- Usually has a very small performance impact.
- Typical use
- Useful for changing the overall colour palette or matching a preset author’s intended look.
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What this shader does
Remaps colours through a lookup texture to apply a prepared colour grade.
When to use it
Use it when you want a consistent colour grade without adjusting many separate colour controls.
Depth requirement
Does not normally require depth information, so it can work from the finished image alone.
Performance
Usually has a very small performance impact.
Common issues
An incorrect or missing LUT texture can produce strange colours.
Package information
The built-in registry matches this shader to ReShade Standard Effects. Open a package to see what it is and which effects ShaderScope recognizes.
Used by Inspector: When a preset uses this shader, Inspector links here.
Desktop: Desktop can verify whether this shader actually exists in your installation.
SMAA
Anti-aliasing
Smooths visible jagged edges using a post-process anti-aliasing pass.
- Depth requirement
- Does not normally require depth information.
- Performance
- Usually has a small performance impact.
- Typical use
- Useful when object edges look stair-stepped and the game’s own anti-aliasing is insufficient.
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What this shader does
Smooths visible jagged edges using a post-process anti-aliasing pass.
When to use it
Use it to reduce edge aliasing without relying on depth information.
Depth requirement
Does not normally require depth information, so it can work from the finished image alone.
Performance
Usually has a small performance impact.
Common issues
It may not remove temporal shimmer or every kind of aliasing because it works on the rendered image.
Package information
The built-in registry matches this shader to SweetFX by CeeJay.dk. Open a package to see what it is and which effects ShaderScope recognizes.
Used by Inspector: When a preset uses this shader, Inspector links here.
Desktop: Desktop can verify whether this shader actually exists in your installation.