What RenderPearl works with.
| Platform | Java Edition |
|---|---|
| Loaders | Iris |
| Minecraft versions | 1.19.4, 1.20.1, 1.21.1, 1.21.8, 1.21.11, 26.1, 26.2 |
RenderPearl is a semi-realistic shader pack built specifically for Iris on Minecraft Java. It replaces vanilla lighting with colored, shadow-mapped light and physically based reflections, while staying tuned for solid frame rates on modern GPUs rather than chasing the heaviest possible look. The current release, v2.8.0-beta.4, supports Minecraft 1.21 through 26.2.
What RenderPearl changes in Minecraft
The pack adds smooth, colored real-time shadows and volumetric light through distorted shadow mapping, plus colored block light with physically based reflections that blend a light list, vanilla lighting, and average texture color. Hand-held light sources get ray traced, per-hand lighting, and water gets customizable waves and adjustable opacity. Post-processing adds FidelityFX Contrast Adaptive Sharpening, SMAA anti-aliasing, automatic exposure, and several tone mapping operators, alongside utility overlays for light level visualization and a compass.
- Colored, shadow-mapped sunlight and volumetric light
- Colored block light with physically based (BRDF) reflections
- Ray traced, per-hand hand light
- Customizable waves and adjustable water opacity
- FidelityFX CAS, SMAA, automatic exposure, and tone mapping
- Light level visualization and a compass overlay
Installing RenderPearl with Iris
RenderPearl only runs on Iris; it does not support OptiFine, Canvas, or vanilla shaders. The pack needs a GPU and drivers with compute shader and SSBO support and GLSL 4.60.8 or newer, which covers most non-macOS hardware from the last several years once Iris and graphics drivers are current. See the general shader installation guide for the Iris setup steps.
- 1.Install Iris for your Minecraft Java version and update your graphics drivers.
- 2.Download the RenderPearl .zip from its Modrinth project page.
- 3.Drop the .zip into the shaderpacks folder without unzipping it.
- 4.Open Video Settings, then Shader Packs, and select RenderPearl from the list.
Compatibility and known limits
Most of RenderPearl's PBR data is generated procedurally rather than read from a resource pack, so it works with almost any resource pack or mod without extra setup. Support for Distant Horizons and Voxy exists on the latest Minecraft version but is explicitly experimental and basic, and mods that hook into the Iris pipeline, such as Chunks Fade In, can make the shader fail to compile. RenderPearl is also incompatible with the Monocle shader pack.
See RenderPearl in action
RenderPearl shaders showcase
Questions about RenderPearl.
5 questions
How do I install RenderPearl shaders?
Install Iris for your Minecraft Java version and update your graphics drivers first. Download the RenderPearl .zip from its Modrinth project page, then drop it into your shaderpacks folder without unzipping it. Open Video Settings, then Shader Packs, and select RenderPearl from the list to activate it.
Does RenderPearl work with OptiFine?
No. RenderPearl is built only for Iris and does not support OptiFine, Canvas, or vanilla shaders. If you currently run OptiFine, you need to switch to Iris first, since the two shader loaders cannot run at the same time.
Which Minecraft version does RenderPearl support?
The current release, v2.8.0-beta.4, supports Minecraft 1.21 through 26.2. Earlier Minecraft versions, back to 1.19.4, are supported by older RenderPearl releases rather than the latest download, so check the version list on the Modrinth project page before picking a file.
Is RenderPearl compatible with Distant Horizons?
Partially. RenderPearl includes integration with Distant Horizons and Voxy on the latest Minecraft version, but the developer describes it as experimental and basic rather than complete. Full support is planned for a future update, so expect some rough edges if you run RenderPearl alongside either mod today.
Is RenderPearl safe to use?
RenderPearl is released under the MIT license and distributed from its own Modrinth and GitHub project pages, with the source code open for review. As with any shader pack, download it only from those pages rather than a third-party mirror or search-ad link.
