In this exercise, you will learn about NPR techniques to achieve expressive rendering styles using Blender.

Learning Resources

NPR shader Blend file download

Examples:

• BlenderNPR.org Downloads
• Halftone Shading
• RWPY - Tutorial: How to make a NPR Cartoon Animation

Level 1: Beginner Students

• How to create an NPR Shader Material in Eevee
• Freestyle
• Advanced Freestyle
• Cartoon Shading in Cycles

Level 2 & 3: Intermediate and Experienced Students

• Youtube Search - Blender 2.8 freestyle eevee
• Advanced Character Freestyle Tutorial
• Comic book/ Manga ink shader / Toon Shader

Resources

Blender NPR Posts

Steps to Completion

Choose a either level 1, level 2, or level 3 to complete based on your prior experience with 3D tools. If you are a novice, choose Level 1. If you have some experience, choose Level 2. If you are very experienced with 3D tools, choose Level 3.

Level 1:

1. Model an animal using a polygonal modeling workflow (not a human).
2. Follow the relevant tutorials.
3. Choose a style and experiment with shaders, materials, and freestyle lines.
   • Required nodes in the shader editor: Diffuse BSDF, Shader to RGB, ColorRamp, Material Output
   • Add Freestyle Outlines to give the render a more illustrated or drafted look
4. Save a 1920x1080 render as render-npr-YOURNAME.png in the project folder.
5. Save your file as npr-YOURNAME.blend in the project folder.
6. Compress the project folder once you’ve completed the tutorial and rename it npr-YOURNAME.zip.
7. Upload the .zip file to the assignment dropbox.
8. Ensure you’ve included everything properly. Failure to ensure that you’ve uploaded the file will result in your exercise being graded according the grading criteria.

Level 2 and 3:

1. Model a polygonal character in the T pose. The character should be a “zombie apocalypse survivor.”
2. Follow the level three tutorials.
3. Create shaders, materials, and freestyle lines to create a manga or comic book visual style.
4. Save a 1920x1080 render as render-npr-YOURNAME.png in the project folder.
5. Save your file as npr-YOURNAME-L2-3.blend in the project folder.
6. Compress the project folder once you’ve completed the tutorial and rename it npr-YOURNAME-L2-3.zip.
7. Upload the .zip file to the assignment dropbox.
8. Ensure you’ve included everything properly. Failure to ensure that you’ve uploaded the file will result in your exercise being graded according the grading criteria.

Example Level 2-3 folder structure

npr-YOURNAME-L2-3.zip
|
├── render-npr-YOURNAME.png
└── npr-YOURNAME.blend