This complex toon shader combines a 1D ramp with a 2D textured ramp to create a cartoon look and other non-photorealistic effects.
It uses a small image sample as a 2D ramp which allows the artist to separate the color of the base shading, specs and rim lights and to vary the smoothness of gradations between these areas.
Even though the shader is complex and offers much control, the default settings and presets are designed to accurately mimic various cartoon looks. To achieve this, ToonShader offers two different gradient ramp controls, three types of specular highlights, control over transparency, ambient occlusion, custom shadow colors, incidence and incandescence and above all allows the artist to manually adjust the shading locally by painting vertex colors. It is also possible to create square or split highlights for accurate cartoon effects.
Moreover, each effect is implemented as an independent layer which can be toggled on or off and may be blended using any combination of more than 20 blend modes.
As such, this versatile shader is not only capable of rendering convincing cartoon characters but can also be used to render painterly background objects and mattes.
Usage
ToonShader was developed to accurately simulate the flat look of 2D cartoon or cel animation. It provides two separate methods to drive flat or gradient shading and provides separate controls of specular highlights. These may be moved, rotated and scaled independently of the light source.
