Watercolor Stylization

Montesdeoca et al. - Henry model © Oculus Story Studio

Watercolor Stylization

The Watercolor Stylization brings real-time watercolor to 3D objects and animation within Autodesk Maya!

3D Watercolor animation in real-time.

The Watercolor style emulates the traditional watercolor animation aesthetic, without the usual flickering associated with when showing multiple watercolor paintings in sequence. Based on the award-winning research of Montesdeoca et al. and Bousseau et al., we are continuously improving upon it with new effects and controls.

The Spherebot in a watercolor style, 3D model by Bastien Genbrugge

Main Features

  • Pigment-based effects such as pigment turbulence and bleeding
  • Edge-based effects such as edge darkening and gaps & overlaps
  • Canvas-based effects such as paper granulation and distortion
  • canvas can be attached to the underlaying motion
  • Use PaintFX and NoiseFX to attach effects onto the animation
  • Use proxies to control the style with invisible objects
  • The stylization is also available in Nuke for Indie/Studio subscribers to add the watercolor style to offline renders (i.e., Arnold, Renderman)

The style can be art-directed at each level of control with MNPRX and its uber material.

image
Personal work by Miguel Ramos Carretero
Biology of SARS-CoV-2 - Mini-series by AXS Studio
Award-winning research by Montesdeoca et al.

Style attributes

To refine and customize the watercolor style, a series of global watercolor attributes are provided within the style configuration node.

Style attributes
Style attributes in the configuration node

Pigment Density

The concentration of pigments, giving the render either a diluted or a more saturated and darker look.

Pigment Density between 0.5 and 2.

Paper Granulation

The accumulation of pigments on the valleys of the paper (canvas). Concentrates the pigments on the valleys and creates a more saturated and darker look.

Paper Granulation between -1 and 5.

Edge Darkening

  • Simple - Simple control over edges defined by the colors and depth.
  • Advanced - Advanced control over edges defined by lightness, chromacity and depth. We recommend working with this for more faithful results.

Edge Darkening Intensity

Strength of the edge darkening effect. A higher intensity will concentrate more color on the edges.

Edge Darkening Intensity between 0 and 3.

Edge Darkening Width

Width for the edge darkening effect. Note: A wider edge darkening will require an increase in intensity, as well.

Edge Darkening Width between 0 and 30.

Bleeding Radius

Maximum width for the bleeding effect. Pushing this too far might affect performance.

Bleeding radius between 1 and 40.

Drybrush Threshold

Sharpness of the drybrush application.

Drybrush Threshold between 0 and 20.

Drybrush Color

Color of the drybrush application.

Different drybrush colors.

Max Gaps Overlaps Width

Maximum width of the gaps & overlaps effect.

Gaps and overlaps width between 1 and 5.
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