---
title: "Shaders"
description: "Essence Ghost theme offers 24 animated WebGL shader backgrounds, such as Light Pillar, Aurora and Nebula, with up to four colors and film grain."
url: "https://www.priority.vision/docs/essence/settings-sitewide/shaders"
scope: theme
appliesTo: [Essence]
lastUpdated: 2026-10-01
---

# Shader Presets

When **Background style** is **Shader**, Essence renders one of 24 animated WebGL presets behind your content.

## Open shader settings

1. Go to **Settings → Site → Design & branding**
1. Click **Customize → Theme → Site wide**
1. Set **Background style** to **Shader**
1. Choose a preset in **Background shader**

## Color pickers

Depending on the active preset, up to four color settings appear in the customizer:

| Setting | Used by |
|---------|---------|
| **Shader color primary** | Most presets — main accent or top gradient |
| **Shader color secondary** | Dual-tone presets — second accent or bottom gradient |
| **Shader color tertiary** | Aurora, Liquid Ether, Prismatic Burst — third accent |
| **Shader color background** | Most presets — base fill behind the effect |

Color pickers are hidden for presets that do not use a given slot.

## Film grain (shader noise)

The **Shader noise** setting adds a film-grain overlay on top of the shader:

- **Off** — no grain
- **Static Subtle / Medium / Strong** — fixed grain pattern
- **Animated Subtle / Medium / Strong** (default: Animated Strong) — drifting grain animation

## Presets

### Light Pillar

Default preset. Rotating vertical light column with soft glow.

{/* TODO: screenshot Light Pillar preset */}
![Light Pillar shader](https://www.priority.vision/images/docs/essence/shader-light-pillar.jpg)

### Aurora

Flowing northern-lights bands.

{/* TODO: screenshot Aurora preset */}
![Aurora shader](https://www.priority.vision/images/docs/essence/shader-aurora.jpg)

### Soft Aurora

Gentler aurora with softer bands.

{/* TODO: screenshot Soft Aurora preset */}
![Soft Aurora shader](https://www.priority.vision/images/docs/essence/shader-soft-aurora.jpg)

### Nebula

Deep space cloud with layered glow.

{/* TODO: screenshot Nebula preset */}
![Nebula shader](https://www.priority.vision/images/docs/essence/shader-nebula.jpg)

### Void

Dark center with luminous ring highlights.

{/* TODO: screenshot Void preset */}
![Void shader](https://www.priority.vision/images/docs/essence/shader-void.jpg)

### Haze

Soft volumetric fog with accent tint.

{/* TODO: screenshot Haze preset */}
![Haze shader](https://www.priority.vision/images/docs/essence/shader-haze.jpg)

### Dark Veil

Scanline veil with hue-shifted tint.

{/* TODO: screenshot Dark Veil preset */}
![Dark Veil shader](https://www.priority.vision/images/docs/essence/shader-dark-veil.jpg)

### Iridescence

Shifting pearlescent surface.

{/* TODO: screenshot Iridescence preset */}
![Iridescence shader](https://www.priority.vision/images/docs/essence/shader-iridescence.jpg)

### Silk

Slow rippling fabric texture.

{/* TODO: screenshot Silk preset */}
![Silk shader](https://www.priority.vision/images/docs/essence/shader-silk.jpg)

### Spectrum

Prismatic wavelength bands.

{/* TODO: screenshot Spectrum preset */}
![Spectrum shader](https://www.priority.vision/images/docs/essence/shader-spectrum.jpg)

### Prism

Rotating crystalline refraction.

{/* TODO: screenshot Prism preset */}
![Prism shader](https://www.priority.vision/images/docs/essence/shader-prism.jpg)

### Prismatic Burst

Radial prismatic rays.

{/* TODO: screenshot Prismatic Burst preset */}
![Prismatic Burst shader](https://www.priority.vision/images/docs/essence/shader-prismatic-burst.jpg)

### Plasma

Swirling plasma field.

{/* TODO: screenshot Plasma preset */}
![Plasma shader](https://www.priority.vision/images/docs/essence/shader-plasma.jpg)

### Plasma Wave

Layered plasma waves with perspective.

{/* TODO: screenshot Plasma Wave preset */}
![Plasma Wave shader](https://www.priority.vision/images/docs/essence/shader-plasma-wave.jpg)

### Liquid Ether

Fluid simulation with viscous motion.

{/* TODO: screenshot Liquid Ether preset */}
![Liquid Ether shader](https://www.priority.vision/images/docs/essence/shader-liquid-ether.jpg)

### Liquid Chrome

Metallic liquid surface ripples.

{/* TODO: screenshot Liquid Chrome preset */}
![Liquid Chrome shader](https://www.priority.vision/images/docs/essence/shader-liquid-chrome.jpg)

### Ferrofluid

Magnetic fluid spikes and flow.

{/* TODO: screenshot Ferrofluid preset */}
![Ferrofluid shader](https://www.priority.vision/images/docs/essence/shader-ferrofluid.jpg)

### Balatro

Pixelated spinning gradient.

{/* TODO: screenshot Balatro preset */}
![Balatro shader](https://www.priority.vision/images/docs/essence/shader-balatro.jpg)

### Color Bends

Diagonal color bands with parallax.

{/* TODO: screenshot Color Bends preset */}
![Color Bends shader](https://www.priority.vision/images/docs/essence/shader-color-bends.jpg)

### Gradient Blinds

Venetian-blind gradient with spotlight.

{/* TODO: screenshot Gradient Blinds preset */}
![Gradient Blinds shader](https://www.priority.vision/images/docs/essence/shader-gradient-blinds.jpg)

### Light Rays

Volumetric god-rays from a light source.

{/* TODO: screenshot Light Rays preset */}
![Light Rays shader](https://www.priority.vision/images/docs/essence/shader-light-rays.jpg)

### Side Rays

Horizontal light streaks.

{/* TODO: screenshot Side Rays preset */}
![Side Rays shader](https://www.priority.vision/images/docs/essence/shader-side-rays.jpg)

### Line Waves

Concentric wave lines.

{/* TODO: screenshot Line Waves preset */}
![Line Waves shader](https://www.priority.vision/images/docs/essence/shader-line-waves.jpg)

### Lightning

Periodic lightning strikes with smoke.

{/* TODO: screenshot Lightning preset */}
![Lightning shader](https://www.priority.vision/images/docs/essence/shader-lightning.jpg)

## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.priority.vision/docs/essence/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.