What PaintBound Shaders works with.
| Platform | Java Edition |
|---|---|
| Loaders | Iris, OptiFine |
| Minecraft versions | 1.17.1, 1.18.2, 1.19.4, 1.20.1, 1.20.4, 1.21.1, 1.21.5, 1.21.8, 1.21.11 |
PaintBound turns Minecraft into a living painting instead of a photorealistic scene. A Kuwahara filter smooths surfaces into soft brushstroke shading while a pencil-style outline pass traces every block edge, and the pack ships nine built-in art styles that swap the look between sketch, ink, and comic book without touching a single texture. It runs on Iris or OptiFine for Java Edition 1.17 through the current 1.21.x releases.
Visual styles and presets
PaintBound ships nine built-in presets, each a different combination of the outline pass, the brushstroke filter, and a color palette. Two default color palettes are included, and custom palettes are supported for players who want to build their own look.
- Pencil on Paper: graphite sketch look with visible paper texture
- Colorful Sketch: loose, colorful pencil linework over full color
- Blue Pen: ballpoint-pen style linework in blue ink
- Painterly: soft Kuwahara-filter brushstrokes with no outline emphasis
- Outline Pencil on Paper: heavier pencil outlines layered over the sketch look
- Blueprint: white technical line art on a blue grid, like an architectural drawing
- Chalkboard: white chalk-on-slate linework
- Comic: halftone dot shading in a comic book panel style
- Textureless Comic: the same halftone comic look without the paper texture overlay
How to install PaintBound with Iris or OptiFine
- 1.Install Iris or OptiFine for your Minecraft Java version.
- 2.Download PaintBound from its Modrinth page.
- 3.Open .minecraft/shaderpacks and drop in the downloaded zip file without extracting it.
- 4.Launch Minecraft, open Video Settings, then Shaderpacks, and select PaintBound.
- 5.Open the shader options menu to switch between the nine built-in presets and adjust the outline and brushstroke strength.
Compatibility and version support
PaintBound supports Iris and OptiFine on Minecraft Java Edition 1.17 through the current 1.21.x release line, and updates alongside new Java releases. It has no Bedrock Edition support and is a client-side shader pack, so it does not need to be installed on a server for singleplayer or multiplayer use.
PaintBound in action
PaintBound shader showcase
Questions about PaintBound Shaders.
5 questions
How do I install PaintBound?
Install Iris or OptiFine for your Minecraft Java version, download PaintBound from its Modrinth page, and drop the zip file into .minecraft/shaderpacks without extracting it. Then select PaintBound from the Shaderpacks menu in Video Settings and choose one of its nine built-in presets.
Does PaintBound work with Iris and OptiFine?
Yes. PaintBound supports both Iris and OptiFine on Minecraft Java Edition. Pick whichever loader you already use for shaders; PaintBound does not require one over the other.
Which Minecraft version does PaintBound support?
PaintBound supports Java Edition 1.17 through the current 1.21.x release line and is kept updated alongside new Minecraft releases. Always grab the version built for your current Iris or OptiFine setup from the Modrinth downloads list.
What visual styles does PaintBound include?
PaintBound ships nine built-in presets: Pencil on Paper, Colorful Sketch, Blue Pen, Painterly, Outline Pencil on Paper, Blueprint, Chalkboard, Comic, and Textureless Comic. Each combines hand-drawn outlines and brushstroke shading differently, and custom color palettes are supported.
Can I use PaintBound on a multiplayer server?
Yes. PaintBound is a client-side shader pack, so it renders locally and does not need to be installed on the server. Other players on the same server will not see the painterly effect unless they install PaintBound themselves.
