How do you approach the challenge of rendering stylized or non-photorealistic animation?

1 Define your style

The first step is to define the style of your animation. What are the main characteristics and influences of your style? Is it cartoonish, painterly, cel-shaded, abstract, or something else? How do you want to use colors, textures, lighting, and shadows? How do you want to emphasize the shapes, forms, and details of your characters and environments? You should have a clear vision of your style and a reference library of images and examples that inspire you.

2 Choose your tools

The next step is to choose the tools that will help you achieve your style. Depending on your software and pipeline, you may have different options and limitations for rendering and shading your animation. You should research and experiment with the tools that suit your needs and preferences. For example, you may use different render engines, shaders, materials, filters, or post-processing effects to create your desired look. You should also consider the compatibility and integration of your tools with other aspects of your animation, such as rigging, animation, compositing, and editing.

3 Optimize your workflow

The third step is to optimize your workflow and performance. Rendering stylized or non-photorealistic animation can be demanding and time-consuming, especially if you have complex scenes, high-resolution assets, or long sequences. You should find ways to streamline and automate your workflow and reduce the render time and memory usage. For example, you may use proxies, LODs, instancing, baking, or caching to simplify your geometry and textures. You may also use render layers, passes, or AOVs to separate and control different elements of your scene and composite them later.

4 Test and refine your results

The fourth step is to test and refine your results. You should always check your renders for any errors, glitches, or inconsistencies that may affect the quality and the style of your animation. You should also compare your renders with your references and your artistic vision and see if they match or if they need adjustments. You may use feedback, critiques, or reviews from other artists, directors, or clients to improve your renders and fix any issues. You should also test your renders on different devices, platforms, or formats to ensure their compatibility and resolution.

5 Experiment and innovate

The final step is to experiment and innovate with your style and tools. Rendering stylized or non-photorealistic animation is a creative and dynamic process that allows you to explore different possibilities and expressions. You should not be afraid to try new things, mix and match different techniques, or break the rules. You may discover new effects, solutions, or styles that enhance your animation and make it stand out. You should also keep learning and updating your skills and knowledge with the latest trends, developments, and innovations in rendering and shading.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?