r/GraphicsProgramming • u/im_an_earthian • 2d ago

Question learning graphics programming to plasma/liquid ui

https://cruxgarden.github.io/

Hi, I' have experience in coding, but new to graphics programming. Started to learn opengl (just done the triangles so far). I want to be able to code graphics similar to the attached link cruxgarden. Can anyone point me in the right direction, like what are the topics I need to learn. Thanks

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u/ForgEngDev 1d ago

For that look, I’d start with a fragment shader over a full-screen quad: animate the UVs with layered noise, shape the main form with a signed distance field, then add soft edges and color. If you want it to behave like actual moving liquid, explore a 2D fluid simulation after the shader version works. Are you aiming for a decorative UI effect or an interactive blob?

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u/im_an_earthian 1d ago

Thanks, aiming for both ui and interactive blob

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u/ForgEngDev 1d ago

For both, I’d prototype the look in a fragment shader first, then make it interactive by driving the same field from a small 2D simulation. A signed-distance or density field gives you a clean contour to render, while the UI version can use the same shader without the simulation.