animation-shader

What this skill does

# 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

### Standalone

A lightweight `workflow-standalone.md` is also available as a self-contained design pipeline if needed.

### 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_Sur