What is Cel Shading and How to Use It?
You may have seen some 2D or 3D animated films and video games that look hand-drawn or cartoon-like.
This is often characteristic of Japanese anime films and video games. This type or technique of animation is known as cel-shading animation. Some also call it "toon shading."
Although it is one of the most common styles of 2D and 3D animation, this technology is relatively new, only about 30 years old.
What is Cel Shading?
Cel shading can be described as a technique that gives any 3D or 2D rendering a cartoon or hand-drawn effect. The cel shader creates the illusion of a traditional drawing with a flatter surface and hard, unfinished edges. It can also be used to give the background a paper-like effect.
Fun fact: Cel shading comes from the term celluloid – a transparent plastic sheet originally used to create traditional hand-drawn animations.
History of Cel Shading
You may notice that this style is most often seen in anime. While celluloid sheets have existed since 1914, cel-shaded animation, or toon animation, appeared relatively recently in the 1990s.
However, Japanese creators used it long before that. In particular, it can be seen in the film Akira, released in 1988. Animation enthusiasts credit this film for bringing cel shading into common use among Western creators.
In the 2000s, this tool re-emerged with the success and love for "hand-drawn" cartoons. Besides appealing to audiences, the animation tool was inexpensive, allowing many creators to adopt it.
Cel Shading in Video Games
In recent years, cel-shaded animation has become increasingly common in games. Titles like Goosebumps: Attack of the Mutant (1997) and Jet Set Radio (2000) were among the first to use this style. The latter won the "Outstanding Achievement in Visual Arts" award, leading to widespread adoption of the style.
Today, the gaming industry has many games using cel shading to achieve a unique look. Currently, most animation creators, especially Japanese, draw the main outlines by hand, leaving the rest to cel-shading animation. However, manually creating cel-shading animation is not the only option.
Modern software can also produce such outlines. It all comes down to personal preference.
Why is Cel Shading So Popular?
In a world where technology is constantly evolving, why do animators strive to make cartoons look traditional or hand-drawn? It all comes down to aesthetic taste.
For example, anime is known for its characteristic hand-drawn style. Without their signature style, you might not even recognize their clips. Studio Ghibli and Nintendo are prime examples.
Moreover, it is a simple way to set the tone for your work. You can change colors and outlines depending on the genre and theme to maintain consistency. To explain in simple terms, let's look at Studio Ghibli, a famous Japanese animation film studio.
Their cottage style uses soft pastel tones for interiors and bright colors for external environments. The drawings have thin outlines that changes when the scene darkens. This style sets them apart.
Cel-shading animation, often mistakenly called cell shading, looks good on various platforms without loss of quality, resolution, scalability, or overall quality, making it a top choice for many.
Features That Set It Apart
Characteristics of cel-shaded animation include:
- Drawings that look hand-drawn, even if produced digitally
- Colors that don't shift as much
- Fewer shades compared to 2D and 3D animation
- A simple style
- Defined outlines that make colors and palettes easier to distinguish
Creating Cel Shading Animation
Before starting, you need to understand your software. Check whether your 2D or 3D animation software has a tool for cel animation. If not, you need to enable it or switch to other software.
Some programs require installing special plugins or downloads for the shading tool to work. Depending on the software, you can adjust effects such as motion blur.
You should also decide on the style you want to achieve: cartoon-like or more realistic textures. Since cel shading works by applying a shader to a 3D model, you first need to create the model.
Some prefer to draw guides by hand and import them into the program, while others create them in software like Maya, Blender, or 3ds Max.
Creators use various approaches to produce cel-shading materials. However, the most common is the toon shader, which aims to mimic the look of hand-drawn animation.
To create the outline and prevent color bleeding, simply enable the "Lock transparent pixels" feature. You can also switch brushes to achieve the desired look. Some programs allow adding extensions, so use them to the fullest.
Limitations of Cel Shading
While cel shading can set the tone and help develop a unique style, it has its drawbacks.
First, this tool is quite challenging. Achieving a balance between realism and cartoonishness can be difficult. Sometimes, even overusing colors can make the work gaudy. At the same time, using too few colors can make it look dull and uninteresting.
Working with the color palette requires a lot of settings and adjustments. And while achieving results may take more time, a little practice and experimentation are worth it.
Examples of Cel Shading
As mentioned, cel shading is used in various formats due to its aesthetics, rendering, and results. Below are some popular examples of cel shading applications.
Cel Shading in Animated Films
Spirited Away by Studio Ghibli
This film was released in 2001. Studio Ghibli is known for primarily using Toonz in their works, and Spirited Away was no exception. Other Studio Ghibli films that used cel shading include Princess Mononoke.
Attack on Titan by WIT Studio and MAPPA
The dark anime series was created using traditional hand-drawn graphics and cel shading. When depicting camera movements and other fast-changing frames, the studio also heavily uses computer animation.
One Piece Films by TOEI Animation
The original anime films made excellent use of cell shading. The primary software is RETAS, a 2D animation package that includes several rendering brushes.
Other notable animated films that used cel shading include One Punch Man by Madhouse, the Fate/Stay Night series by Ufotable, and My Hero Academia by Studio Bones.
Cel Shading in Games
Jet Set Radio
Jet Set Radio is one of those turning-point games that forever changed the gaming landscape. SEGA Dreamcast set a precedent for developers after gamers couldn't get enough of this title. The game's visuals were stunning for their time, and the soundtrack transformed the perception of music in video games.
The Legend of Zelda Series
The tenth installment of the Zelda game series used cel shading technology. After the 2003 experiment, all subsequent entries used the same technique. Although iterations adapted to new styles and modifications, the core look remained unchanged.
Hades
The 2017 game from Supergiants creatively used cel shading. The game's visuals elevated the gameplay experience and story, captivating gamers like never before. Players and critics have repeatedly stated that the visuals add extra charm to the fictional world.
Other notable games that used cel shading include the Guilty Gear series, Viewtiful Joe, Ni No Kuni, Asura's Wrath, Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter, Naruto: Clash of Ninjas, Dragon Ball FighterZ, DNF Duel, the No More Heroes series, Dragon Quest VIII and IX, and Killer7.
Conclusion
When working on animation, you should consider the software, feel, and aesthetics you aim for. Cel shading is an excellent option for those wanting a cartoon or comic effect in their 2D and 3D creations.
It gives drawings a hand-drawn look even when produced digitally. Additionally, it ensures proper color representation and gradients that look good on almost all platforms. However, the learning curve can be steep, especially for beginners.
This style has become one of the most requested in the gaming and animation industry. Many well-known entertainment companies use some variation of cel shading, from Studio Ghibli to WIT Studio and from SEGA Dreamcast to Supergiants.
With its widespread adoption, popularity, and more cost-effective 3D rendering tools, this beautiful and distinctive style will remain in history.