Installation

Getting Started

Installation

Universal Shader Library is a standalone desktop application. There’s no command line, no setup scripts - just download and run.

System Requirements

Minimum
WindowsWindows 10 (64-bit)
macOSmacOS 12 Monterey
Disk Space~500 MB (plus material cache)

Supported DCCs

DCCTested VersionRenderers
Maya2025Arnold, Redshift
Blender5.xCycles, EEVEE
Houdini21Karma (MaterialX), Redshift
Unreal Engine5.xDefault material system
Cinema4D2024+Alpha - limited functionality

You only need one - USL works with whichever DCC you have open.

Download

Get the latest release from the download page:

Personal use is always free. A commercial licence is required for studio and client work - see Commercial Use.

Install

Windows

  1. Download and extract the zip to a location you want to keep the app
  2. Open the folder and launch the app
  3. On first launch, Windows may show a SmartScreen warning — click More info then Run anyway

macOS

  1. Download and extract the zip to a location you want to keep the app
  2. Open the folder and launch the app
  3. On first launch, macOS may ask you to approve it — go to System Settings → Privacy & Security and click Open Anyway

First Launch

When you open USL for the first time it will load the built-in material catalogue - around 2,000 PBR materials sourced from ambientCG. Thumbnails load as you browse, so the app is usable immediately.

PixelConstruct will be adding more materials and surface types over time. You can support that development on Patreon.

Support on Patreon

No account or login is required.

Next Steps