Home / Guides / CRT Curvature in ShaderGlass: Setup and Trade-offs

CRT Curvature in ShaderGlass: Setup and Trade-offs

CRT curvature shaders simulate the geometry of older screens, but strong curvature can hide corners and make UI text less readable.

Before you begin

Use Windows 10 version 2004 (build 19041) or Windows 11 and a DirectX 11-capable GPU. Confirm the source window or capture device works without additional post-processing. The exact labels can differ between ShaderGlass versions and operating modes.

Step-by-step workflow

1. Choose a built-in CRT preset with geometry or curvature support.
2. Apply it over a known grid or pixel-art scene to assess edge behavior.
3. Reduce curvature or edge distortion in available shader parameters.
4. Compare against a flat CRT preset before saving the profile.

Important details and limitations

Curvature is a visual simulation, not physical monitor geometry correction.

Shader parameters vary by preset; not every filter exposes curvature controls.

For tiny pixel-font interfaces, subtle curvature usually preserves readability better.

How to verify the result

Compare the processed scene with the same source shown without ShaderGlass. Watch for clipping, unexpected color changes, black regions and input lag. Keep one parameter fixed at a time while troubleshooting. For version-dependent settings, refer to the developer manual instead of relying on old screenshots.

Questions and answers

Will curvature change a game’s source resolution?

It changes displayed geometry, not the underlying game files.

Why are corners cut off?

A curved/overscanned shader can shift or crop content near the edges.

Related guide: Crt Shaders · All ShaderGlass guides · Windows download information.

Technical reference: Developer manual. This guide explains settings and does not alter the ShaderGlass application or its license.