Animation Shader Skill

Domain knowledge reference for animation-style shaders (Toon Shaders). Contains preset styles, feature lists, and reference mappings for popular shader libraries.

[!NOTE] This skill contains domain knowledge only, not a workflow. Pair it with a workflow skill (e.g., OpenSpec, SpecKit) or an agent's plan mode for structured design flow.

Usage Modes

With Workflow Skill (Recommended)

When used with a workflow skill (e.g., OpenSpec, SpecKit) or in the plan mode of an agent, this skill serves as a domain knowledge plugin:

• During requirements/spec phases: Use the Presents section to identify the target style and map user requests to concrete feature sets
• During design/planning phases: Use the Feature List to look up all relevant references/ documents for each feature
• Key rule: For each identified feature, read ALL reference files listed — do not select just one

Knowledge Mode (Query)

When user requests to query knowledge for animation shaders, this skill provides preset styles and feature-to-reference mappings based on the task.

Presents

Use these presets when the user is unsure about specific features or wants a quick starting point for a specific style.

1. Basic Anime

• Description: The standard, clean anime look. Efficient, readable, and widely used.
• Features: Base Color / Main Texture, 3-Tone Shading (Double Shade), Outline (Inverted Hull).
• Use Case: General avatars, NPCs, standard anime characters, performance-critical scenes.

2. Advanced Illustration

• Description: A high-quality, detailed look with rich lighting, material definition, and depth.
• Features: Base Color / Main Texture, Layered Textures, 3-Tone Shading (Double Shade), Alpha Mask,Outline (Inverted Hull), Rim Light, MatCap (Material Capture), Specular / HighColor, Shadow Ramp.
• Use Case: Main characters, close-ups, high-fidelity VRChat avatars, cinematic cutscenes.

3. Stylized Sketch

• Description: Mimics hand-drawn art, manga, or pencil sketches with a rougher, artistic feel.
• Features: Color Adjustments (Desaturated), Sketchy Outline, Hatching, Halftone Overlay, Sketch / Paper Overlay.
• Use Case: Flashbacks, artistic indie games, unique aesthetic styles, manga adaptations.

4. Cyber / VFX

• Description: High-tech, glowing, and dynamic style with motion and reactivity.
• Features: Base Color / Main Texture (Dark), Emission / Glow, AudioLink, Dissolve, Vertex Manipulation (Glitch), Rim Light.
• Use Case: Sci-fi characters, powered-up states, music visualizers, holographic effects.

5. Semi-Realistic Toon

• Description: Blends anime aesthetics with realistic material properties for a modern, high-fidelity look.
• Features: PBR (Metallic/Smoothness), Normal Map, Shadow Ramp, Subsurface Scattering (SSS), Outline (Inverted Hull).
• Use Case: Modern action RPGs, high-end cinematic characters, "Genshin-like" but more detailed.

6. Retro 90s Anime

• Description: Recreates the look of classic cel animation from the 90s.
• Features: Color Adjustments (High Saturation, Posterization), 3-Tone Shading (Double Shade), Outline (Inverted Hull), Film Grain.
• Use Case: Nostalgic projects, retro-style games, lo-fi aesthetics.

7. Oil Painting / Artistic

• Description: Simulates traditional media like oil painting or watercolor.
• Features: Brush Stroke Textures, Distorted UVs, Sketch / Paper Overlay, Smudged Shadows, Sketchy Outline.
• Use Case: Storybook visuals, artistic showcases, dream sequences.

8. Flat Pop Art

• Description: A bold, graphic style with minimal shading and vibrant colors.
• Features: Base Color / Main Texture (Unlit), Outline (Inverted Hull), Halftone Overlay, Stencil Patterns.
• Use Case: UI characters, music videos, stylized indie games.

Feature List

A comprehensive list of features available across the supported shaders, organized by category.

1. Core Shading & Coloring

• Base Color / Main Texture: The primary color and texture of the model. (All)
  • references/lilToon/Details/01_Base_Main.md
  • references/PoiyomiShaders/Details/01_Base_Main.md
  • references/ToonShadingCollection/Details/03_Diffuse.md
• Color Adjustments: Adjusts Hue, Saturation, Brightness, or applies Posterization to the final color. (Poiyomi, SToon, lilToon)
  • references/lilToon/Details/01_Base_Main.md
  • references/PoiyomiShaders/Details/01_Base_Main.md
• 3-Tone Shading (Double Shade): Defines shadows using two distinct shades (1st and 2nd) for a traditional anime look. (lilToon, Poiyomi, UTS2)
  • references/lilToon/Details/02_Lighting_Shadows.md
  • references/PoiyomiShaders/Details/02_Lighting_Shadows.md
  • references/UnityChanToonShaderVer2/Details/01_DoubleShade.md
  • references/ToonShadingCollection/Details/09_Lighting_Shadows.md
• Shadow Ramp: Uses a gradient texture to control the falloff and color of shadows, allowing for soft or stylized transitions. (SToon, Poiyomi, RToon)
  • references/PoiyomiShaders/Details/02_Lighting_Shadows.md
• Shadow Texture (ShadowT): Applies a pattern (like hatching or halftone) specifically within the shadowed areas. (RToon, SToon)
  • references/RToon/Details/02_ShadowT.md
• Shading Grade Map: Controls the shadow threshold per-pixel using a grayscale map, allowing for organic shadow shapes. (UTS2)
  • references/UnityChanToonShaderVer2/Details/02_ShadingGradeMap.md
• Position Maps: Fixes shadows to specific areas (e.g., under the chin) regardless of lighting direction. (UTS2)
  • references/UnityChanToonShaderVer2/Details/01_DoubleShade.md
• Ambient Occlusion (AO): Adds soft shadows in crevices and corners to increase depth. (Poiyomi, SToon, lilToon)
  • references/lilToon/Details/02_Lighting_Shadows.md
  • references/PoiyomiShaders/Details/02_Lighting_Shadows.md
• Cell Shading / Hard Shading: Uses hard cutoffs for shadows to create a cel-shaded look. (RToon, SToon)
  • references/RToon/Details/01_Core_Shading.md
  • references/SToon/Details/01_Core_Shading.md
• Diffuse Warp: Distorts the shading terminator for irregular, hand-drawn shadow edges. (SToon)
  • references/SToon/Details/05_Artistic_Controls.md
• Normal Map: Adds surface detail and depth without changing geometry. (All)
  • references/PoiyomiShaders/Details/01_Base_Main.md
• Detail Maps: Adds high-frequency surface details using secondary textures. (Poiyomi, lilToon)
  • references/PoiyomiShaders/Details/02_Lighting_Shadows.md
• Layered Textures: Allows stacking multiple texture layers with blending modes for complex surface details. (lilToon, Poiyomi)
  • references/lilToon/Details/01_Base_Main.md
• Decals: Applies sticker-like textures on top of the main surface with independent transforms. (Poiyomi, lilToon)
  • references/lilToon/Details/01_Base_Main.md
• Alpha Mask: Controls transparency or restricts features to specific areas using a mask texture. (lilToon, Poiyomi)
  • references/lilToon/Details/01_Base_Main.md
• RGB Masking: Re-colors specific parts of the mesh using RGBA masks. (Poiyomi)
  • references/PoiyomiShaders/Details/01_Base_Main.md
• Triplanar Mapping: Applies textures based on world space, useful for models without proper UVs. (RToon, SToon)
  • references/RToon/Details/06_Advanced_Features.md

2. Surface & Reflections

• Specular / HighColor: Adds stylized highlights to the surface, often with masking or cartoon shapes. (All)
  • references/lilToon/Details/03_Surface_Reflections.md
  • references/PoiyomiShaders/Details/03_Surface_Reflections.md
  • references/ToonShadingCollection/Details/04_Specular.md
  • `references/SToon/Details/0