Cel shading

<p>Cel shading or toon shading is a type of <a href="/facts/Non-photorealistic_rendering/r8qIQogo">non-photorealistic rendering</a> designed to make 3D <a href="/facts/Computer_graphics/lapBE8wv">computer graphics</a> appear to be flat by using less shading color instead of a <a href="/facts/Color_gradient/u95Nge54">shade gradient</a> or <a href="/facts/Tints_and_shades/CTH7hXvQ">tints and shades</a>.  A cel <a href="/facts/Shader/qfhkKFwA">shader</a> is often used to mimic the style of a <a href="/facts/Comic_book/xGFkPrMT">comic book</a> or <a href="/facts/Cartoon/24v34f3m">cartoon</a> and/or give the render a characteristic paper-like texture. There are similar techniques that can make an image look like a <a href="/facts/Sketch_(drawing)/9My36qgy">sketch</a>, an <a href="/facts/Oil_painting/rxn2lg9o">oil painting</a> or an <a href="/facts/Ink_painting/gw8FdeMI">ink painting</a>. The name comes from <a href="/facts/Cel/7l4LUG7P"><i>cels</i></a> (short for <a href="/facts/Celluloid/PatU2xqV">celluloid</a>), clear sheets of <a href="/facts/Acetate/U90VVczy">acetate</a> which are painted on for use in <a href="/facts/Traditional_animation/CqPeCPBY">traditional 2D animation</a>.
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Cel shading open-in-new

Cel shading