Dithering3D
Pixelated, retro, Dark Fantasy, gradient, B&W, RGB and more
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🎨 Dithering3D - Surface-Stable Fractal Dithering
🖼️ Screenshots
✨ A Revolutionary Visual Experience
Transform your Minecraft world with Surface-Stable Fractal Dithering — a groundbreaking rendering technique where dither dots stick to 3D surfaces instead of the screen, creating a unique manga/comic book aesthetic that feels alive.
🎬 Based on the innovative work by Rune Skovbo Johansen — Watch the explainer video
🖼️ What Makes This Shader Special?
📌 Surface-Stable Dots
Unlike traditional dithering where patterns "swim" on screen, Dither3D anchors each dot to the actual 3D surface. Walk around blocks, and the dots stay perfectly attached!
🔄 Fractal Scaling Magic
As you move closer or farther from surfaces, dots dynamically split or merge to maintain constant screen-space density. It's mesmerizing to watch!
🎨 Three Color Modes
| Mode | Description |
|---|---|
| Grayscale | Classic black & white dithering — clean, minimalist, timeless |
| RGB | Each color channel gets its own dot layer — vibrant and unique |
| CMYK Halftone | Authentic newspaper/comic print simulation with rotated dot angles |
⚡ Features at a Glance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| 🎯 Precision Dithering | SVD-based frequency analysis for mathematically perfect dot placement |
| 🌀 Anti-Stretch Technology | Anisotropic smoothing keeps dots circular even on oblique surfaces |
| 🎥 Camera Stable | Radial compensation prevents dot swimming during camera rotation |
| ⚙️ Highly Configurable | 10+ parameters to fine-tune your perfect look |
| 🚀 Performance Optimized | Efficient 3D texture sampling for smooth gameplay |
| 📱 Universal Compatibility | Works with OptiFine AND Iris on virtually any Minecraft version |
🎛️ Customization Options
Fine-tune every aspect of the dithering effect with our intuitive in-game sliders:
🔧 Dither Settings
| Parameter | Range | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Dot Scale | 2 - 10 | Control overall dot size (exponential) |
| Size Variability | 0 - 1 | 0 = Bayer pattern, 1 = Halftone style |
| Dot Contrast | 0 - 2 | Sharpen or soften dot edges |
| Stretch Smooth | 0 - 2 | Combat stretched dots on angled surfaces |
💡 Input Controls
| Parameter | Range | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Exposure | 0 - 5 | Brightness multiplier |
| Offset | -1 to 1 | Brightness offset adjustment |
🎮 Additional Options
- Inverse Dots — Flip dot colors for a negative effect
- Radial Compensation — Stabilize during camera rotation (recommended!)
- Quantize Layers — Prevent dot morphing for a more "classic" look
- Debug Mode — Visualize fractal layers for development
📦 Installation
For OptiFine Users
- Download and extract the shader pack
- Place the
shadersfolder in.minecraft/shaderpacks/ - Launch Minecraft → Options → Video Settings → Shaders
- Select Dithering3D and enjoy!
For Iris Users (Fabric/Quilt)
- Install Iris Shaders mod (1.2.0+)
- Download and extract the shader pack
- Place the
shadersfolder in.minecraft/shaderpacks/ - Press O in-game to open shader menu
- Select Dithering3D
💡 Tip: Press
F3 + Tto quickly reload shaders after making changes!
🎨 Preset Profiles
Choose from pre-configured profiles for instant results:
| Profile | Color Mode | Dot Scale | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🟢 LOW | Grayscale | 4.0 | Performance, retro feel |
| 🟡 MEDIUM | Grayscale | 5.0 | Balanced experience |
| 🟠 HIGH | RGB | 5.0 | Colorful, artistic |
| 🔴 ULTRA | CMYK | 6.0 | Maximum visual impact |
🌟 Perfect For
| 📸 Screenshot enthusiasts | Create unique, artistic captures |
|---|---|
| 🎬 Content creators | Stand out with a distinctive visual style |
| 🎮 Retro lovers | Relive the charm of 1-bit graphics |
| 🎨 Artists | Manga, comic book, and newspaper aesthetics |
| 🧪 Tech enthusiasts | Experience cutting-edge rendering techniques |
❓ FAQ
Q: Does this work with other shaders?
Dithering3D is a standalone shader pack. Combining with other shaders may cause conflicts.
Q: Why do some surfaces look different?
The sky and some special effects may appear different as surface-stable dithering reveals flat geometry.
Q: Performance impact?
Moderate. The 3D texture sampling is optimized but more demanding than vanilla rendering. Most GPUs handle it smoothly.
Q: Can I use this in my modpack?
Yes! Under MPL-2.0 license. Credit appreciated.
🔬 The Science Behind It
Dithering3D uses Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) to analyze UV coordinate derivatives in real-time, determining the exact frequency and direction of surface textures. This mathematical approach enables:
✅ Perfectly uniform dot density regardless of distance
✅ Seamless fractal transitions between detail levels
✅ Circular dots even on extremely angled surfaces
✅ Rotation-stable patterns that don't "swim"
📚 Credits & Resources
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| 🔗 Original Algorithm | Rune Skovbo Johansen |
| 🎥 Technique Explanation | YouTube Video |
| 💬 Technical Discussion | FAQ Thread |
📄 License
Mozilla Public License 2.0 (MPL-2.0)
🎨 Transform your world. Experience Dithering3D. 🎨
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