Shader Switcher Node for Blender (v2.0)

Create smarter, cleaner, and more flexible shader setups in Blender with this custom Shader Switcher node system.

Now featuring two powerful modes:

• Switch Mode: Select a shader using a simple index (great for animations and driven effects).
• Layer Mode: Blend shaders together with opacity control—perfect for layered materials like paint, dirt, decals, etc.

🚀 What It Does

Shader Switcher Node creates a dynamic Shader Node Group that lets you:

✅ Plug in multiple shader inputs (up to 50)
✅ Switch between them using a single Shader Index
✅ Or blend them as layered materials with mix values
✅ Maintain a clean material layout with a single output
✅ Add new inputs anytime without breaking connections
✅ Easily clean up unused node groups with one click

All controlled directly inside the Shader Editor — no node clutter, no mess.

🔁 Switch Mode

Select a shader using a simple index input. Great for:

• Animations
• Shape key-based materials
• Logic-driven setups

🎨 Layer Mode

Blend shaders together with opacity control—just like Photoshop layers. Perfect for:

• Dirt, scratches, paint
• Wear and tear effects
• Stylized or procedural layering

🛠️ Features

• Two Modes: Switch & Layer
    Choose how shaders are combined: one active at a time, or layered with opacity control.
• Dynamic Shader Inputs
    Expand your node group with a single click—up to 50 inputs.
• Clean, Readable Node Logic
    Uses Blender’s native nodes (Math, Mix Shader, Add Shader) under the hood for performance and clarity.
• Integrated UI Panel
    Access all tools from a dedicated Shader Switcher tab in the Shader Editor’s N-panel.
• Popup Add Menu
    Quickly insert the node via Shift+A, with a prompt to choose the mode and input count.
• One-Click Cleanup
    Remove unused Shader Switcher groups from your project instantly.
• Preserves Existing Connections
    Adding new inputs won't break your links or reset values.

🎯 Perfect For

• Artists testing or switching between shader styles
• Teams working in shared look-dev or asset files
• Game-ready material pipelines
• Stylized and procedural material setups
• Technical artists building reusable node systems

🧩 Installation Instructions

1. Download the file:

   You’ll get a ZIP named something like ShaderSwitcherNode V2.zip.

2. Open Blender (version 4.2.0 or higher).

3. Go to:

   Edit → Preferences → Add-ons → Click "Install..."

4. In the file browser, select the .zip file you downloaded.

5. Once installed, enable the checkbox next to:

   ✅ Shader Switcher Node