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Opal Light project artwork

CurseForge · Minecraft mod

Opal Light

A universal colored light API with automatic Iris Shaders and VulkanMod compatibility.

Choose a version Pick your version below, then grab the matching file.

Quick answer

Which Opal Light release should I use?

Updated last month
Latest stable file OpalLight-1.1.1
Game version 1.21.1
Loader NeoForge

Opal Light OpalLight-1.1.1 targets 1.21.1 with NeoForge. The project page does not say whether this file belongs on the client, dedicated server, or both. No extra mods listed for this file.

Where it goes

Is Opal Light required on the client, server, or both?

The project page does not say whether this file belongs on the client, dedicated server, or both.

Client Source doesn’t say
Dedicated server Source doesn’t say
Loader for this release NeoForge
Required install it here Optional supported, not mandatory Not supported do not install here Source doesn’t say do not assume

The source does not explicitly classify this release as client-only or server-only.

What else does Opal Light OpalLight-1.1.1 need?

OpalLight-1.1.1. Change the file and its required mods may change too.

No extra mods listed for this file

This file does not list any required mods. Do not add a library just because a different file uses it.

This file does not list any required or optional mods.

Before you install it

Add Opal Light without breaking your instance.

Built for Opal Light OpalLight-1.1.1. Pick another file and the loader, install side or required mods may change.

  1. 01

    Stick to this file

    Use OpalLight-1.1.1. It targets 1.21.1 with NeoForge; another release may have different loader, side or dependency requirements.

  2. 02

    Bring the mods it needs

    This file does not list any required mods. Do not add a library just because a different file uses it.

  3. 03

    Put it on the correct side

    The project page does not say whether this file belongs on the client, dedicated server, or both.

  4. 04

    Pick the file you checked

    Use the “Get this file” button beside OpalLight-1.1.1. It opens that exact file at the source.

About this project

What does Opal Light add?

OpalLight —— Colored Light API


Overview

OpalLight provides a universal colored light API for Minecraft. Unlike common full-screen shader approaches, OpalLight uses per-block, voxel-level RGB light propagation——colors travel through blocks via BFS, attenuate with distance, mix across RGB channels, and take the strongest value within each channel. This means colored lighting renders correctly around corners and through complex geometry, rather than being a screen-space post-effect.

The key advantage: automatically compatible with the vast majority of Iris Shaders with zero user configuration. Also fully supports the VulkanMod renderer.

Core Features

Powerful Colored Light API

  • Data-driven + event-driven: Register colored light sources via JSON data files, or programmatically through the ModificationEvent.
  • StatePropertiesPredicate support: Different block states of the same block can emit different colors.
  • Zero-invasion integration: Any block from any mod can emit colored light——just register data or listen to the event.

True Color Propagation

  • Voxel-level BFS light propagation, with linear attenuation over Manhattan distance.
  • Per-channel multi-source merging: different channels mix naturally while equal channels use the strongest value, so removing a source remains exact.
  • Correct lighting regardless of terrain complexity——corners, crevices, and caves all light accurately.

Broad Compatibility

  • Iris Shaders: Automatically compatible with the vast majority of shader packs. No manual compatibility selection needed.
  • VulkanMod: Native support for the Vulkan renderer.
  • Custom shaders use Core Profile GLSL 150, standards-compliant to avoid rendering conflicts.

Example: Colored Lanterns

Seven colored lanterns are included as API usage demonstrations:

Lantern Recipe
Red / Orange / Yellow / Green / Cyan / Blue / Purple Lantern Vanilla lantern + matching dye (shapeless)

Each lantern is registered through OpalLight's API, showing how blocks are associated with RGB colors.

Showcase

Vanilla

image

Complementary

image

BSL

image

Photon

image

Mellow

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VulkanMod

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For Developers

// Listen to ModificationEvent to register colored light for any block
@SubscribeEvent
public static void onLightModification(LightDataLoader.ModificationEvent event) {
    event.getDataByBlock().put(
        MyBlocks.GLOWING_CRYSTAL,
        List.of(new LightDataLoader.OpalData(new OpalColor(0.2f, 0.8f, 1.0f), Optional.empty()))
    );
}

Or drop a JSON file under assets/<modid>/opal_data/ for zero-code integration.

Compatibility

Project Status
Iris Shaders Auto-compatible with most shader packs
VulkanMod Fully supported
NeoForge 1.21.1 Native platform
Other mods' light-emitting blocks Compatible via API registration

Project description from CurseForge.

Pick your setup

Opal Light by Minecraft version and loader

Choose the version and loader you play, then open the matching release.

1 available setups

Check the dependencies, then try the file in a copied instance before changing a world you care about.

Recent files

Opal Light versions and loaders

3 of 3 releases match

Looking for an older file? The official CurseForge project page is in Resources.