GLSL Shaders for Generative NFT Backgrounds

Procedural Backgrounds That Never Repeat

I've been experimenting with fragment shaders as a source of truly unique generative art. Each NFT gets a one-of-a-kind background derived from its token ID as a seed.

The Technique

Layered Noise

Stack 3-4 octaves of simplex noise with different frequencies:

float n = snoise(uv * 2.0) * 0.5
      + snoise(uv * 4.0) * 0.25
      + snoise(uv * 8.0) * 0.125;

Color Mapping

Map noise values to a curated palette using smoothstep transitions. This gives you organic gradients instead of harsh bands.

Animation

Add time as a third dimension to the noise function. The background subtly evolves — alive, not static.

Why Shaders > Pre-rendered

• Infinite resolution: Renders at any size
• Tiny file size: A few KB of code vs. MB of images
• Interactive: Responds to mouse, scroll, audio