ShaderGraph Editor
Quick Start
Default to Reality Composer Pro. Use raw USD or MaterialX inspection only when debugging exports or interoperability.
- Decide whether the task is node selection, runtime parameter control, export debugging, or sample selection.
- Load only the matching reference files.
- Route text-level USD structure edits to
usd-editor.
Load References When
| Reference | When to Use |
|-----------|-------------|
| references/shadergraph-node-reference.md | When choosing RealityKit Shader Graph nodes by category. |
| references/runtime-api.md | When loading ShaderGraphMaterial, working with promoted inputs, or updating parameters at runtime. |
| references/export-debug.md | When inspecting exported USD or MaterialX, or when a graph fails to load or render as expected. |
| references/samples.md | When selecting the closest repo sample before authoring a new effect from scratch. |
Workflow
- Start from the closest existing sample when possible.
- Author or refine the graph in Reality Composer Pro.
- Promote the inputs that need runtime control.
- Load and update the material through the runtime API.
- Inspect exports only when the normal authoring path stops explaining the failure.
When To Switch Skills
- Switch to
usd-editorwhen the task is really about prim paths, composition, or text-level USD authoring. - Switch to
realitykit-visionos-developerwhen the blocker is entity setup, material application, or scene integration rather than graph authoring.
Guardrails
- Treat Reality Composer Pro as the default authoring surface.
- Do not treat exported
info:idstrings or raw graph layout as stable public API unless Apple documents them directly.
Output Expectations
Provide:
- the selected effect or sample starting point
- which references were used
- how the material is authored or loaded
- whether the issue is a graph problem, runtime problem, or export problem
- explicit routing to
usd-editoror RealityKit work if needed