Nebula shader
This plugin generates a 2D nebula effect, intended for use as a backdrop, perhaps in combination with the StarScape background. (It isn't a 3D nebula you can fly through.)
Here are some examples of what the shader looks like. Click the small image to see a larger version. The starfield present in the images is generated by StarScape, also available from this site.
- Default nebula
The nebula with default settings.
- Red nebula (Redshift)
A red nebula, rendered in Redshift.
- Stretched nebula
A nebula stretched horizontally.
- Nebula with thin gas clouds
A heavily distorted nebula showing mainly as thin clouds.
- Bright nebula
A hot, bright nebula using all four rings in the shader.
- Thin shell
A nebula manifesting as a thin shell, made by setting inner and outer falloffs to extreme values.
This is the shader interface:
Availability
This shader is free to download and use, and you can download a copy from the links below.
Compatibility
The shader is compatible with the following versions of Cinema 4D:
| Cinema 4D version | Compatible? |
|---|---|
| R2024 | Yes |
| R2025 | Yes (macOS version requires C4D 2025.2 or later) |
| R2026 | Yes |
Note - there are separate downloads for each compatible version of C4D listed in the above table - make sure you download the correct file!
There are no versions for C4D R2023 or earlier.
Download
Download Nebula shader for R2024
Download Nebula shader for R2025
Download Nebula shader for R2026
Page last updated November 24th 2025