SolidShaderTool is an IDE (integrated development environment) for programming vertex and pixel shader units on modern graphics hardware. Quite easy and intuitive to use, it integrates all relevant parts such as models, textures, vectors, matrices, colors and of course, the vertex and pixel shader code itself, into one unique graphical user interface. Furthermore, SolidShaderTool exposes nearly the whole functionality and power of the DirectX 8.1 API to the user. See the topic "features" for a detailed description ...

It was developed as an important part of my diploma thesis for the study course "Multimedia Computer Science" at the University of Applied Sciences in Gelsenkirchen (Germany). Originally, I just wanted to explore the application area and capabilities of vertex and pixel technology, but after working a while on the implementation of dedicated shader effects, I realised that an IDE for shader programming would be an efficient and helpful tool.

SolidShaderTool was designed and implemented by the author of this website, Stefan Zingel. Information about my person can be found under the topic "author" ...

The development process started in Oktober/November 2002 and lasted nearly five months until the middle of March 2003. It's easy to imagine that such a piece of software is never "really" finished - there are always improvements and new functions which are worth implementing. Some of the major tasks on the long to-do-list are mentioned under menu topic "features->future prospects" ...

In comparison to other shader IDE's like RenderMonkey™ or the CG Toolkit™, the determination of SolidShaderTool is an educational one.
One reason is the lack of integration into a "real" workflow e.g. computer game developers are in need of. Although an exporter module for mesh data designed in 3D Studio MAX is provided, there are no standardized output formats to integrate a shader effect into e.g. existing popular game engines. Of course, you are able to save your piece of work ...

The main focus of SolidShaderTool is to help people understand the process of designing and realising a shader effect. The user does not necessarily have knowledge about a high-level programming language like C/C++, he/she can concentrate on developing the assembly shader code and the setup of all relevant environment parameters .. (which is already hard enough .. ;-).. )