Parallax Occlusion Mapping: Depth Illusion in Shader Graph




Published: 15 Apr 2025

In this video you’ll learn about a powerful node in Unity Shader Graph, the Parallax Occlusion Mapping Node. This allows us to FAKE rendering 3d depth on a totally flat plane. In many modern games we can see cobblestone streets, or brick walls with astonishing depth.


Do the artists place each of those? NO! They are using this same technique to fake the depth!


You’ll also learn about how we can optimize the rendering performance of using this node so we save performance when it doesn’t make sense to do all these calculations!


📚 Looking for a STRUCUTRED approach to learning ShaderGraph? Take my Unity Shader Graph Course: https://www.gamedev.tv/p/unity-shader-graph?affcode=45216_kuvg0bp7


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📚 Resources:

🟠 Unity Shader Graph Course:

https://www.gamedev.tv/p/unity-shader-graph?ref=mjuzyjq

🟠 Parallax Occlusion Mapping Node Documentation:

🟠 How to Make Every Specular PBR Surface Input in the URP/Lit Shader: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObpmdNTgVps


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Some links may be affiliate links, which at no additional cost to you, gives LlamAcademy a small portion of the purchase.