Setting downstream render state in an upstream shader

Techniques are disclosed for processing graphics objects in a stage of a graphics processing pipeline. The techniques include receiving a graphics primitive associated with the graphics object, and determining a plurality of attributes corresponding to one or more vertices associated with the graphics primitive. The techniques further include determining values for one or more state parameters associated with a downstream stage of the graphics processing pipeline based on a visual effect associated with the graphics primitive. The techniques further include transmitting the state parameter values to the downstream stage of the graphics processing pipeline. One advantage of the disclosed techniques is that visual effects are flexibly and efficiently performed.