What is required to create a custom shader in Unity?

To create a custom shader in Unity, writing code using Unity's ShaderLab language is essential. ShaderLab provides the framework needed to define the structure of your shader, including how it interacts with lighting, textures, and surfaces.

When you use ShaderLab, you can specify various properties of the shader and control how the graphics pipeline processes different visual effects. This allows for a high level of customization that enables developers to produce unique visual styles tailored to their game's needs. ShaderLab simplifies the process of writing shaders by allowing you to focus on the necessary components and shading techniques, making it easier to define the behaviors and characteristics of the shader.

While visual editing tools may assist in shader creation and make the process more user-friendly, foundational knowledge and capability in writing code using ShaderLab is vital for producing effective, custom shaders. Importing shaders from external libraries or solely relying on pre-defined shader templates does not equate to creating custom shaders; instead, those methods support the usage of existing solutions.