Modscraper Modscraper Minecraft
Photonics: A raytracing engine logo

Photonics: A raytracing engine

Mod

A ray-traced voxel engine with a focus on performance and crisp shadows

Type

Mod

Modrinth Downloads

167,019

Modrinth ID

MNlxJdtO

Last Updated

Apr 13, 2026

Description

Photonics: A Raytracing Mod

An Iris extension that adds voxel based raytracing to Minecraft. With a focus on performance, Photonics is able to deliver performance comparable to that of hardware raytracing.

Shaders that support Photonics:

  • Eclipse (requires latest version from Github & Photonics v0.3.4)

Support patched in by the photonics mod:

  • BSL (Photonics v0.3.0+ requires 10.1+, v0.2.9 or below requires 8.2.9)
  • Photon (requires latest version from Github & Photonics v0.3.0+)

Features

By using it's custom voxel raytracing, Photonics adds many visually stunning effects:

Soft Shadows

Every block casts beautiful soft shadows from block lights! Physically accurate soft shadows

Global Illumination

Tired of how dull the world is in shadow? Worry not! Photonics adds accurate Global Illumination to shadows. Occluded areas appear darker. Just like in real life!

3D Blocks

Using its voxel raytracing, Photonics can render 16x16x16 block models directly! Custom Models can also be implemented using MagicaVoxel. Resourcepacks can define their own 3D blocks!

Colored Glass Lighting

Photonics can tint the color of light that passes through glass, casting colored shadows over objects. Glass tints light sources

World Space Reflections (WSR)

Supported by Photonics in photon, WSR reflects the world as is, no more pop in at the edge of your screen. Block reflect the world - even the things behind you!

Up to 20 lights per chunk

By default, traces 20 lights per chunk, with shader settings allowing you to increase that number to 100! Have all the shadows that you want!

Notice

  • Photonics doesn't utilise Hardware Raytracing, and because Minecraft is built on OpenGL, building in Hardware Raytracing is unfortunately not possible
  • This mod is still in Alpha, bugs and compatibility issues are to be expected
  • Any mod that modifies Minecraft Rendering/Chunk loading will affect compatibility
  • MacOS is not supported!

Development

Updates on the Development can be seen on its Discord server: Photonics Official

Compatibility

Mod Loaders

Fabric

Game Versions

1.20.1 1.20.4 1.20.6 1.21.1 1.21.4 1.21.8 1.21.10 1.21.11

Screenshots

Similar Mods

Included in Modpacks

External Resources