Screenshot 1 of 7. Sunset light over steep mountains rendered with Phoxel PT path traced lighting
What Phoxel PT works with.
| Platform | Java Edition |
|---|---|
| Loaders | Iris |
| Minecraft versions | 1.20.4, 1.20.5, 1.20.6, 1.21, 1.21.1, 1.21.2, 1.21.3, 1.21.4, 1.21.5, 26.1, 26.1.1, 26.1.2 |
Phoxel PT is Despatra's path tracing shader for Minecraft Java, built to run on the Iris shader loader only. Its newest build reaches Minecraft 26.1.2, and by the developer's own README, it is designed for screenshots first, with real-time play as a secondary goal handled by a separate pack, Phoxel Lite, that has not shipped yet.
Installing Phoxel PT with Iris
- 1.Install the Iris shader loader for your Minecraft Java version through Fabric or Quilt.
- 2.Download the Phoxel PT shader pack file from its Modrinth page.
- 3.Drop the file into the shaderpacks folder that Iris creates in your instance.
- 4.Launch Minecraft, open Video Settings, then Shader Packs, and select Phoxel PT from the list.
Performance and hardware expectations
Path tracing shaders render every ray of light in a scene, which is the most GPU-intensive way to light Minecraft. Phoxel PT's own project positions it as a screenshot shader rather than a smooth-gameplay one, and public reports comparing recent path traced Iris shaders have found real setup friction getting frame rates to hold up outside of a strong, modern GPU. Treat Phoxel PT as a pack for still shots and showcases first, and confirm your frame rate in a test world before committing to it for regular play.
Version support and dependencies
- Loader: Iris only. Phoxel PT is not built for OptiFine or Canvas.
- Current build: version 0.6.2.1, published 2026-05-11, reaching Minecraft 26.1.2.
- Project-wide version range: 1.20.4 through 26.1.2, across the shader's full release history.
- Dependencies: none required beyond Iris itself.
The shader is developed under Despatra's Photonified codebase on GitHub, listed under an Apache License 2.0 on Modrinth. If a shader pack is showing a black screen, refusing to load, or crashing on launch, Fix Minecraft Shaders Not Working walks through the common causes before you assume the pack itself is broken. For the full setup from a clean instance, see How to Install Minecraft Shaders (Java and Bedrock).
Similar path traced and realistic shaders
Kappa Shader is another Iris pack built around path traced lighting and reflections, with a wider Minecraft version range if Phoxel PT's Iris-only, 26.1.2 ceiling does not match your setup. Photon Shaders trades path tracing for a lighter, semi-realistic look with a similarly high performance cost, worth trying if Phoxel PT's screenshot-tier render times are too slow for regular play.
Questions about Phoxel PT.
5 questions
Is Phoxel PT built for gameplay or for screenshots?
Screenshots first. The developer's own README describes Phoxel PT as designed for screenshots, with a separate real-time pack, Phoxel Lite, planned but not yet released. Players who want smoother frame rates for actual play should expect Phoxel PT to run heavier than a standard shader pack.
Which Minecraft version does Phoxel PT support?
Phoxel PT's newest build, version 0.6.2.1, reaches Minecraft 26.1.2 on the Iris loader as of its 2026-05-11 release. The project's broader version list stretches back to 1.20.4, but Iris is the only loader it ships for.
Does Phoxel PT run well on every GPU?
Not reliably. Path tracing shaders like Phoxel PT lean hard on GPU ray tracing performance, and players have reported real setup friction getting path traced Iris shaders running smoothly across different hardware. Expect a heavy load on older or integrated GPUs.
Does Phoxel PT need Fabric API or other mods?
No. Phoxel PT has no required dependencies beyond the Iris shader loader itself, which handles loading the shader on top of Fabric or Quilt.
Does Phoxel PT work with OptiFine?
No. Phoxel PT is built specifically for the Iris shader loader. It is not listed for OptiFine, so OptiFine-only setups should look at a different shader pack.
