I have a need to render some simple objects, and because of size and printing limitations, I must outline each object with a clean black thin line.

I have experimented to exhaustion with Non-Photorealistic styles in Carrara 3. I get all sort of stuff other than what I need.... Diffusion layers with all sort of odd paint patterns (messy, dirty) when what I want is just the plain simple flat colors from the objects (yes, I selected use object color, but it still goes artsy and does cute swishes of shades and colors).

The other frustration is that the black lines I get either go beyond the edges of the objects or stop short of the edges. Turning on object clipping is of no help.

The manual is of no help in figuring this out... and I have found nothing on line..

Anyone know how to accomplish this rather simple task?
(I tried vector style, but I don't want it that simple either)

thanks loads!!
Nate.

Did you try Toon? DCG has a new-ish plugin if toon doesn't quite cut it. http://www.digitalcarversguild.com/ Markd

There is also the Toon! render... (you can choose that somewhere in the render room or in the 'scene' settings...) I do not have full memory of how that worked in C3 (I did not use it recently), but it sounds like something useful. There must be documentation on that somewhere (maybe even the manual). The best would be the VectorStyle plug-in from the Eovia site. But that costs money. It even exports Flash and illustrator, it does not get any cleaner than that!

(I did not read Markd's answer when typing mine, there are similarities)

Thanks...

As I said in my first message, vector style doesn't cut it as it needs to simplify things too much... just one light source, etc.

Carrara 3 has no toon setup... that apparently went south with version 2. It has the NPR (aka Non PhotoRealistic) setting which, as I described is what I'm trying to work out.

will check the dcg for what's new...

Wait. I will unstuff my Cararra 3 copy. I KNOW it is somewhere in there...

Carrara version 3 still has Toon , I think it is "ctrl+shift+t" then look in the properties tray , then locate the "filters" tab. It should be in there ,also render your image larger to get cleaner toon lines. Good luck Mike

Toon Pro, new from DCG , is I think only available for C4.

Message edited on: 01/24/2005 16:56

Instances - click on 'Scene' - choos Toon! Part III It will kick in as after-render filter. It is rather fast, so rendering at multiples of your end-size is easy and will give you sharper lines. (now I will stuff C3 again, it pays to have it around...)

The top image is using just the Outline. HTH,
Mark

Message edited on: 01/24/2005 17:08

Ooops... my bad....

I expected the Toon render to be in the render room... how silly of me... of course the toon render would not be in the render "room" but in the effects closet in the properties room... guess I need a map to get around in all the rooms...

Thanks --- I will try all of these and see what I can come up with....

regards,
Nate.

Toon! III (I think it's called) does a fair job in Carrara Studio 3. The new DCG plug-in called Toon! Pro, for Carrara 4, does a fantastic outline function on Carrara's already fantastic renders. See my gallery for Toon! Pro and Wireframe Pro (origami) samples.

Message edited on: 01/24/2005 19:15

First pix shown above is using exact settings that falconperigot recommended... not working too well.

Second pix (next post) is toon 3 setup - it is closer to what I was hoping to get.

Really appreciate your help!

Outlining with 100% is for true non-photorealistic images. Change the outline thickness to around 25-30% and the outline length to around 70-75% to get regular outlining in non-photorealistic renders. Also, cut down on the diffuse percentages as well to lessen the smudging.

I'm not sure if the Toon plug-ins will draw all edges.

Message edited on: 01/25/2005 02:49

Shonner...

I have been to and bookmarked your gallery.
What you are doing there is precisely what I am looking for. It seems I'm going to need to update to C4 and pick up a few more plugs from Digital Carver.

Thanks for the pointers. Truly amazing.

Will look to see if you have posted any tutorials also.
(Have you?)

Nate.

While I haven't played with the Toon options much... it seems to have a 'Highlight Edge' parameter that you have set to 0. Maybe by sliding it up to the same as the 'Shadow Edge' and 'Object Edge' you would get the look that you are looking for. Hope this helps! :D

Set your edge in degrees lower. Then those 90's should ALWAYS show up. -Kix