Pixel shaders

Definition:
A pixel shader is a type of shader program, often executed on a graphics processing unit. These programs are typically used to perform complex per-pixel effects.


Software support:
Microsoft's Direct 3D and Silicon Graphic's OpenGL supports shaders.


Description:
In OpenGL a pixel is called a fragment and hence pixel shaders are also known as fragment shaders. Pixel shaders calculate the colour of individual pixels.Pixel shaders are typically used for scene lighting and related effects such as bump mapping and color toning.