Screenshot 1 of 5. A blocky lake with grass and trees on a hill under a bright blue sky, shown with OPAL Shaders.
What OPAL Shaders works with.
| Platform | Java Edition |
|---|---|
| Loaders | Iris, OptiFine |
| Minecraft versions | 1.19.2, 1.19.4, 1.20.6, 1.21.10, 26.1, 26.2, 26.3 |
OPAL Shaders is a vanilla-like shader pack for Java, made by FENVEN_ and running on Iris and OptiFine. It is based on BSL Shaders by Capt Tatsu and aims to blend a fantasy atmosphere with natural colors and contrast while staying true to the original Minecraft style. It is Java only, since Bedrock cannot run either loader.
Shader loaders and versions
- Iris and OptiFine: Minecraft 1.19.2 to 26.3.
How to install OPAL Shaders
- 1.Install Iris (on Fabric or NeoForge) or OptiFine. The shader install guide covers both.
- 2.Get the pack .zip from the CurseForge page and place it, unextracted, in your shaderpacks folder.
If the pack does not appear or fails to compile, the shaders not working guide lists the usual causes.
What the pack looks like
The pack keeps blocks and textures recognisable and works on mood. CurseForge files it under Vanilla, Fantasy and Realistic, so expect a grounded look with a fantasy tint rather than a photoreal overhaul.
Dynamic lights and mods
On Iris, the author recommends the LambDynamicLights mod for dynamic lights. The newest releases for both Iris and OptiFine list no required mods, so that addition is optional.
Trade-offs and history
OPAL inherits its approach from BSL, and the project links no source repository, so the terms on its page are the only licence statement. No performance tier is stated, so test the pack on your own hardware before settling on it. An earlier release line, OPAL 0.3.1 for 1.15.2 to 1.20.1, stopped in August 2023. The pack was first published in December 2022 and current releases run through Iris and OptiFine.
OPAL Shaders for Minecraft - It's All About Immersion
Questions about OPAL Shaders.
2 questions
Does OPAL Shaders work with Iris and OptiFine?
Yes. The newest releases are listed for both Iris and OptiFine, and neither lists extra required mods. The author specifically suggests Iris users add LambDynamicLights if they want dynamic lights.
Is OPAL Shaders based on BSL?
Yes. OPAL is based on BSL Shaders by Capt Tatsu. It targets a fantasy atmosphere with natural colors and contrast, and it stays close to the original Minecraft style. Modified editions must credit both OPAL and BSL.
