**Go to the end of this reply to see examples of celshading**
Cel shading is an algorithm that is applied to a 3D object, giving it a 2D look, by giving it very defined borders. There are plug-ins in 3D modeller softwares to do this.
The number of colors are also minimized so that the transition bettwen the color shades are not smooth.
In a few words: it looks like a cartoon.
Good example: futurama. Many times you can say that a particular object was 3D modeled, because it moves smoothly, but it still have that cartoonish look, because of the lines and the simples shade areas.
I just found this site a couple of minutes ago. you can find more detailed information about this technology.
www.celshaded.com
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what’s celshading?
well, it’s using 3d to generate images that look like 2d hand-drawn cartoons, or cels. cels are the clear plastic sheets that animators use to paint on. shading, and shaders are computer algorithms that change the appearance of 3d geometry.
celshading is achieved by building models in 3d space, animating them, and rendering them, much like any other form of computer animation. what sets all this apart is the use of shaders on the 3d models, which makes them look like 2d when they get rendered.
special care and techniques are also used in the creation of the 3d models, to ensure that they match the desired style. settings like outline weight, cel bands, surface divisions, subpatching, and edge styles are all critical to make this technique work.
why celshade?
some people wonder - why would you want to do this kind of animation in 3d, instead of just drawing it like it’s usually done?
animating in 3d space is an enabling experience, and the types of animation that you can do are numerous. things like camera movement, rotational movements, perspective shifts and special effects are sometimes increddibly difficult to pull off when you’re drawing them by hand, but be orders of magnitude easier to do in 3d.
What’s this anime stuff anyhow?
Have you been living in a cave? Anime is the rockin hardcore animation from Japan. Not all of it is as hardcore as what the good stuff is, but the best ones have great stories, awesome technical animation, large amounts of graphic detail, a fair share of violence, lots of charm, and a little perversion all thrown together in a saucy melange.
Pokemon doesn’t qualify as good stuff. Just fluff.
Watch anything from Sunrise (Gundam(Rob’s favorite,)) Production IG (Ghost in the Shell, Blood, Jin-Roh,) Gonzo (Blue Submarine #6,) ArtMic (BubbleGum Crisis,) Studio Nue (Macross,) Otomo (Akira,) Ghibli (Princess Mononoke,) or GAINAX (Evangelion,) to see what the good stuff is all about... Disney it ain’t.
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Below you see an example of celshading. The images to the left are 3D wireframes. The images to the right are the same models after celshading is apllied. They are not drawn by hand.
Wait until the gifs are loaded (it may took a while...)
Images from
dark orb digital
[ December 05, 2001: Message edited by: Lampion ]