How to download Complementary Shaders for Minecraft 1.19 update

Complementary shaders is arguably the best for Minecraft 1.19 (Image via Mojang)
Complementary shaders is arguably the best for Minecraft 1.19 (Image via Mojang)

Minecraft 1.19 allows you to download and install loads of shaders to completely transform its lighting and shadow engines.

To this day, Mojang has not really upgraded the graphics of the popular sandbox game to make it look modern. Hence, you can always try different texture packs or shaders to change the graphics manually. Shaders can run on Minecraft 1.19 with the help of graphics or performance mods like OptiFine and Iris.

There are a plethora of shaders out there. However, Complementary Shaders is considered one of the very best. It enhances the game's graphics while maintaining its performance. It is extremely easy to download and install these shaders.


Steps to download and install Complementary Shaders for Minecraft 1.19

1) Download and install OptiFine or Iris

Download OptiFine or Iris to run shaders on Minecraft 1.19 (Image via Sportskeeda)
Download OptiFine or Iris to run shaders on Minecraft 1.19 (Image via Sportskeeda)

You must first either download OptiFine or Iris and install them to run shaders in the game. Simply search for these mods on the internet and download them from their official sites. Always remember to download the latest mod that is compatible with the 1.19 version.

Once downloaded, these mods can be installed normally by running the downloaded file. OptiFine will normally be installed in the game's directory, while Iris will automatically download Sodium in order to work properly inside the game.


2) Download Complementary Shaders

You can find the download link to the latest shader version for Minecraft 1.19 (Image via Sportskeeda)
You can find the download link to the latest shader version for Minecraft 1.19 (Image via Sportskeeda)

After installing the mods to run the shaders, you can search for Complementary Shaders on the web. Select the CurseForge website since it is the easiest website to navigate through and find the latest version of the shader. You can scroll down to find a list of downloads appearing on the right-hand side of the page.

This is where you will find the latest shader for the 1.19 game version. Simply hit the download button beside it to save the file to the computer.


3) Install

Shaders tab in Minecraft 1.19 from where the folder can be opened to transfer the shaders (Image via Mojang)
Shaders tab in Minecraft 1.19 from where the folder can be opened to transfer the shaders (Image via Mojang)

You must now open the modded game version with either OptiFine or Iris. Simply open the official game launcher and search for the OptiFine or Sodium with Iris game version from the list.

Once the game opens, you can head to the video settings, which will look quite different, courtesy of the mods. Here, you must find the 'Shaders' or 'Shader Packs' tab, from where you can open the main folder where all the shaders can be stored for the game.

When the file explorer opens with the 'shaderpacks' folder, you can simply transfer the downloaded shader to the folder. All shaders must be in the '.zip' file, as they were downloaded.


4) Activating and changing shader settings

Change any shaders settings from the settings tab in Minecraft 1.19 (Image via Mojang)
Change any shaders settings from the settings tab in Minecraft 1.19 (Image via Mojang)

Finally, when you transfer the shader to the folder, the game will recognize it and allow you to select it.

Once selected, you can simply hop into a world and enjoy the beautiful graphical transformation. You can tweak any of the shader's graphical settings by going back to the 'Shaders' tab in the settings.

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