NPR and DAZ - post your renders, experiences and recipes.
Artini
Posts: 9,458
I am very interested in creating NPR images and animations, so I would like to share my images and experiences.
Please contribute here as much as you wish, if you are doing NPR related art in Unity.
NPR = Non Photo Realistic Rendering.
Post edited by Artini on
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Here is how to start...
Download Unity Hub from: https://unity3d.com/get-unity/download
For simplicity I will be using Unity Personal Edition - free of charge for use,
if your yearly income made from the usage of Unity does not exceed $ 100 000
For NPR more realistic renders does not matter, so I will be using Unity 2019.4.25 f1
For saving images from Unity, I will be using a freebie:
https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/tools/utilities/screenshot-companion-67779
It works very well in almost any version of Unity and any Render Pipeline:
https://docs.unity3d.com/Manual/render-pipelines.html
For transfer items from Daz Studio to Unity, I am using Daz to Unity bridge:
https://www.daz3d.com/daz-to-unity-bridge
This bridge is the best thing, that has happened to me in my 3D life
and I am very grateful for all of the people involved at Daz 3D to make it done.
Some more basic tips...
I will be using a simple scene in Unity created from:
https://www.daz3d.com/fw-simon-hd-for-genesis-3-male
https://www.daz3d.com/northwell-horse-stables
First trial with full screen post-processing effect in Unity, using PRISM v3 - Realistic Post-Processing for Unity.
Example image from Unity treated with Beautify 2.
@artini, Thanks for opening up this thread!
Great, will try to post more.
My first try with RealToon from Unity Asset Store and Betty Bot 6000 - https://www.daz3d.com/dforce-betty-bot-6000-outfit-for-genesis-8-and-8.1-females
Something is still missing - need to experiment more
Still RealToon experiment - the other ground
The other post process effect - getting closer to what I want.
More experiments with RealToon.
I have just wondered, how many different Genesis 8 characters can I use simultaneously in the same scene in Unity.
Now I think, it can be many - below is a render with 7 different Genesis 8 characters,
but it is not even close to the maximum capability of my graphics card with 8 GB of VRAM.
Below is a list:
https://www.daz3d.com/jacqueline-81
https://www.daz3d.com/vyk-jordynne-for-genesis-8-female
https://www.daz3d.com/dforce-betty-bot-6000-outfit-for-genesis-8-and-8.1-females
https://www.daz3d.com/amira-hd--expressions-hd-for-genesis-8-female
https://www.daz3d.com/dforce-abby-holiday-dress-outfit-for-genesis-8-females
https://www.daz3d.com/bronwyn-hair-for-genesis-3--8-females
https://www.daz3d.com/tristan-8
https://www.daz3d.com/casual-golf-outfit-for-genesis-8-males
https://www.daz3d.com/blair-hair-for-genesis-8-males-and-females
https://www.daz3d.com/gia-8
https://www.daz3d.com/dforce-city-sleek-outfit-for-genesis-8-females
https://www.daz3d.com/cady-hair-for-genesis-3-8-female-s
https://www.daz3d.com/cj-8
https://www.daz3d.com/x-fashion-bohemian-jacket-outfit-for-genesis-8-females
https://www.daz3d.com/gizelle-hair-for-genesis-3--8-females
https://www.daz3d.com/holt-8
https://www.daz3d.com/gruesome-goth-for-genesis-8-males
https://www.daz3d.com/morley-hair-for-genesis-3-8-male-s
Really cool NPR render . I love how the cloth texture converted . I`ll go to download and trying it in this weekend . And I`ll asking you some help if okay
Thanks a lot, @juvesatriani. Please ask about anything. I will try to help you, as much as I can.
With your artistic abilities, you have already demonstrated in the other thread, I can imagine, we will be watching another amazing art appear soon.
@juvesatriani wrote:
"Yeah I would love for understand the basic stuff.
I`ve seen your renders in Unity forum and I really like it . Will DL the unity tomorrow.
Something I wanna ask is difference between recent version with 2019.4.25 f1..."
The difference is in accessing Unity Asset Store items, besides of course much more advanced rendering capabilities in 2020 or 2021 versions.
In Unity 2019 series you will find Asset Store under Window menu.
In Unity 2020 and 2021 the Asset Store is no longer available and you need to use Package Manager to download and install items.
If you just start with Unity, it may be no so much difference for you.
For me is a different story - I have a lot of items purchased over the years and updates downloads better in Unity 2019.
If you search Unity forums, you will find out, what I mean.
After the updates have been downloaded to the computer, I can import them into any recent Unity versions.
When you download something from the AssetStore check what versions are supported under:
"Supported Unity versions" before you import it to your project.
Sometimes the downloaded assets could break your projects, so you can no longer run it.
Watch the Console window for any errors in your project in Unity.
If it happens, just search on Google for the solution or ask the creator of the asset for help.
If you have enough free space on the disk, you could install the different versions of Unity on the same computer.
I would only reccomend to use LTS (Long Time Support) versions, like 2020 or 2019 series.
Unity 2021 is still very young and not everything works well there.
https://unity3d.com/get-unity/download
https://docs.unity3d.com/Manual/UnityManual.html
One more thing, to add. Unity renders in different Render Pipelines:
https://docs.unity3d.com/Manual/render-pipelines.html
For NPR, I have found it easier to use Buit-in Render Pipeline (think of it, like 3Delight in Daz Studio)
https://docs.unity3d.com/Manual/built-in-render-pipeline.html
HDRP is like iray in Daz Studio and URP is something in between.
When you create a new project in Unity, it will ask you which one you wish to use.
For NPR, I use the one with extras, because it will already setup Linear Color Space
https://docs.unity3d.com/Manual/LinearLighting.html
https://docs.unity3d.com/Manual/LinearRendering-LinearOrGammaWorkflow.html
and in 2019 it has a very nice script to move the camera at runtime.
SimpleCameraController in Scripts folder.
You need to run your scene in Unity Editor to use Screenshot Companion or any other tool at runtime.
Another thing: Project in Unity is like a book, Scenes in the Project are like the pages in the book.
You create a new Project in Unity and it will keep all assets downloaded from Unity Asset store or created by yourself.
To make a render in Unity, you need to create a scene first, by placing Daz or Unity items in it.
hi @Artini Thanks for detail explanation . I`m already dowload Unity and right now still watching some video tutorial about post processing and some shader like Real Toon Etc
I`ll ask or post for progress
Thanks again
Great. Could you reveal which version of Unity you will be using, so I have some time to prepare myself. Thanks.
I`m installing Unity version from your recommendation
So.... I googled NPR and figured this wasn't National Public Radio..... penny finally dropped that it Non Photo Realistic Rendering.
Feel a bit dumb now but.
Great - please post something here of your own NPR art, if possible. Cheers.
As discussed in https://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/227541/more-non-photorealisitic-renders-npr-ii#latest
I have made a short video on YouTube using https://www.daz3d.com/sakura-8-pro-bundle and some packages from Unity.
To achieve these effects I have used: Beautify 2, Sky Studio, Amplify LUT Pack, Puppy Set, RealToon (on puppies).
I think for me essential for the look is Beautify 2. I like very much Sky Studio for its variety of skies and how easy is to use.
But you've used unity for animation too?
Yes, animations were from Unity.
Many assets in Unity store include animations as well.
Daz characters after transferring to Unity and changing to Humanoid
(easy to make in import options in Unity) can take any humanoid animations
available as free or paid assets in Unity store.
https://youtu.be/KZLynwUlZ_8?si=D5an_U44JOAypu2_
Here's a test scene I made a while back with Salsa lip sink, AI voice (replica Studios) with background music, and dialogue system. Still trying to work it to get the right emotions feels etc. in the scene. Not exactly NPR, but you could create scenes with toon shaders etc.
It's using URP - Universal Render Pipeline, becuase one I'll send it to mobile, web and PC. You can create nicer scenes with HDRP.
Here one of my favourites Sakura Rabbit (HDRP).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_ErytGpScQ
Great examples, @aweswan, of what can be achieved in Unity
if one spend a lot of time with it.