How to make 3D look 2D? Don't overthink it!

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Animation by David Oneacre
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Producer: Sean Aitchison (via Jellybox)

[@frag2]

that ending line is so real

[@OmniSync]

widescreen tvs that curve at a 360 degree angle: 💀

[@xxxautito9877]

​@@OmniSyncstill 2d

[@OmniSync]

@@xxxautito9877 god damn it

[@warmination7891]

@@OmniSyncjust a 2d image displayed and stretched onto screen

[@Notdukc]

Magic

[@epikoof]

"3D art is just a way of creating 2D images" goes hard,, screens will be 2D no matter what, i love this quote

[@oktayyildirim2911]

Screens will be 2D no matter what, except when they aren't (see Nintendo 3DS)

[@HiHi-oc3gh]

@@oktayyildirim2911I think that’s still technically 2D. The screen doesn’t have 3 dimensions, it just looks like it is. The screen is showing you two 2D images which your brain interprets it as 3D

[@oktayyildirim2911]

@@HiHi-oc3gh Bro, 3D displays "only looking" like they're 3D is their entire point.

[@HiHi-oc3gh]

@@oktayyildirim2911 I know. I’m just saying it still technically counts as 2d.

[@oktayyildirim2911]

@@HiHi-oc3gh No offense, but that's just semantics. Yes, the frame shown to each eye is a 2D image, but those images must be constructed from a 3D space in order to not confuse your brain, and in the end, the viewer perceives the image as 3D.

[@pixelzwithaz]

For all my blenderers out there, White emission shader with grease pencil line art modifier.

[@Brimations]

Wait… you watch doodley too?!

[@beanoptodon]

​@@Brimationsor they do it themselves

[@Infinite-Omega]

Backgrounds still look too flat with just 2 colors, what are the solutions?

[@sgunky]

thank u 😭🙏

[@J03_M4m4]

I'm boutta blend all over my computer now

[@travelsizedhispasian]

Man, I forget how beautiful Arcane looks sometimes

[@xboxpenguin8705]

Arcane is an absolute TREASURE of animation

[@kwk111]

I often think about the scrapped sequel to Treasure Planet that was in pre-production but got cancelled, that would look so cool in the Arcane art style if they made it now

[@VEE0034]

They wasted that talent on league of legends of all things.

[@leaf1673]

@@VEE0034nah cuz ever just be like “wow (character/literally anything ab arcane) is so cool i love it so much” and than it hits u that u just supported a league of legends related project

[@ralek592]

​@@leaf1673worst part is that you know these characters ain't gonna die.

[@retelefe]

I'm glad you showed Guilty Gear Strive, because I always knew this as "Arc System artstyle", they've been puting out "2d" games that are actually 3d for a while now

[@fedweezy4976]

Me too! My only complaint is that it isn't a good example of using "simple" techniques and tools since the character models are incredibly complex in how they animate in order to look like they were hand-drawn animation.

[@PlayerZeroStart]

I do wish he showed Xrd or FighterZ instead though, since those games go much harder into the "fake 2D" look while Strive doesn't go as hard into it.

[@dionysus913]

@@PlayerZeroStartMaybe that was the point? Showing off subtle little moments that aren’t as obvious? Because they trick your brain into the “2D mode” just as well. You don’t “need” to go as hard into the fake-2D effect to get the same result, I think was the point.

[@umjamer]

whenever i show people ggst and tell them its 3D they dont believe me because its so well done it looks like 2D anime drawings

[@Just_a_commenter]

Love the acknowledgement that something doesn't have to be super complex or confusing to be good. Basic shapes, simple tactics, and well thought out art direction goes a long way in creating quality stuff. Very nice c:

[@quadpad_music]

Basically, "work smarter, not harder".

[@katabooz]

what the hell is that profile picture dawg

[@Just_a_commenter]

@@katabooz Is a round Latias, obviously. o:

[@katabooz]

@@Just_a_commenter good thing i like inflation or this would be really weird

[@Just_a_commenter]

@@katabooz Technically it's the 4 letter V word, but if you like the alternative then that's cool too!

[@HeisenbergFam]

"3D Doodley doesnt exist, he cant hurt you" 3D Doodley:

[@alxedu125]

he always did

[@wolfieolfie]

⁠@@alxedu125”Doodley is 3D?” “Always has been.”

[@GLUBSCHI]

Oh of course he's here too

[@aweebtaku429]

​@@wolfieolfiebeat me to it

[@Flint_Lockwood_Real]

What's up bro ✌

[@hilariousskullnamedcatzo647]

"Don't overthink it" - the math teacher after explaining the most complicated equation in man kind

[@Not_Kaitlyn]

Lmao

[@elimanic7925]

"And Arcane has a really simple trick to make their characters look like they were painted by hand!" "We Paint 😊"

[@matthewhenderson1765]

I've learned that with blender the last couple weeks in class, you can make things look really nice without going crazy with the polygons. Keeping it simple makes it easier to edit later also 😂

[@user-id3fc8qs7y]

Banban is an excellent example of it. Wasting entire SM64 polygons count on 1 square and 2 cyllinders with no textures is really cringe. That's the example of why you shouldn't allow money grabbers into game industry - they'll give no f about quality, but will make everything to make more money

[@niblet8308]

Just want to mention that the short clip from Promare you used is one of my favourite clips of animation of all time, it goes so fucking cold

[@doodley3d]

that shot goes so unbelievably hard

[@saffronnie3969]

Paired with the awesome music too. That’s why I love Promare so much!

[@Webmage101]

Promare is amazing.

[@beanoptodon]

Promare is amazing. I love how lighthearted and easy to digest it is Eye candy ❤

[@StarlitWitchy]

Promare

[@NickiRusin]

We need more Promare enjoyers out there, one of the best of Trigger's lineup

[@tvsonicserbia5140]

Awful writing, amazing animation.

[@saffronnie3969]

@@tvsonicserbia5140isn’t trigger always awful writing and amazing animation?

[@tvsonicserbia5140]

@@saffronnie3969 Absolutely not, Kazuki Nakashima is one of the best writers working in anime. It's loud and brash but structurally very sound. Promare blows Gurren Lagann and Kill La Kill out of the water with animation because it's a movie, but they have more memorable characters, themes and drama.

[@saffronnie3969]

@@tvsonicserbia5140 I agree there. Promare is very good. I always call it "Fire force done right" XD But in general, the Studio Trigger animes I have seen have sloppy writing, obvious plot twists, but great animation! And Little Witch Academia is one of my fave animes! So!

[@lazlysun]

im heartbroken that i never got to see promare in theaters.it's a must watch for ppl who watch anime for the animation. And this is coming from someone who honestly has a hard time getting into other trigger series bc of the writing... I must've watched Promare at least five times now

[@JNSStudios2]

I wish more things had the “project outline” ability. I was making a 2D-styled VRChat avatar and the method of expanding and inverting the mesh to create the outline effect was a pretty big performance loss for the avatar. Thankfully it’s not game-crashing, but still. My poor little laptop has a harder time using that avatar because of it :(

[@groekanne7765]

It is possible to achieve this via shader math and im certain thats rather how its done in games, duplicating the meshes is something you can afford only in low poly applications. If youre curious about it, google glsl outline shader.

[@CandiedC]

I just realised someone could make something so resource intensive for the meta quest specifically that it crashes those devices only LMAO

[@YonkaLmao]

in blender the line-art grease pencil modifier (pretty much project outline) doesn't run much faster :(

[@Marsi-P]

@@CandiedCWhen uploading an avatar for the quest if it has too many bones or polygons it just won’t let you upload it at all. Of course people have gotten around this but it’s not easy lol

[@the_real_fiz2zy]

I think the realisation that 3D art always produces a 2D result is a real "a-ha" moment for a lot of artists. It opens up a whole new world, where breaking the rules of the 3D environment doesn't matter anymore because the only thing that matters is how it looks from the camera's point of view.

[@TheEggGuy64]

Ah yes 3Doodley

[@mak993]

3D artists search way to make 3D look like 2D 3D artists search way to make 2D look like 3D The tables have turned

[@Luluskuy]

*2D

[@anthonyslaptheknee9344]

something I always think about is when arc sys came out and basically tell people how to achieve wizardry and its still impressing people. I love magic

[@illitero]

People being surprised this character is 3D is surprising to me since it's so evident in the movement and interaction/overlap. Not at all implying anything negative, it's just what's visible given the artistic choice 😊

[@Samsgm]

Him mentioning jet set radio feels like a dream

[@The16-Bitdude]

same, after all its the first game to ever introduce cartoony types of 3d models.

[@Samsgm]

Yeah lol.@@The16-Bitdude

[@IAmTanker]

That loop is perfect. Thank you.

[@chicken]

Arcane's art style is truly a work of art, simple yet beautiful in its execution. It's amazing how a few basic shapes can create such stunning visuals.

[@Nickmane193]

Wowie zowie

[@Shadowlikahuebr]

Omg promare, my Favorite film

[@TheWorstAlex]

THE TOWN INSIDE ME‼️‼️

[@Bealzabub]

I really think so many people when they try to jump from 2D to 3D forget that you're still just making pictures

[@atmosstreams]

From the way Doodley moved I’m surprised people didn’t realize he was 3d sooner

[@MadameQuackers]

I love that you mentioned Okami. That game goes an amazing job replicating old Japanese artwork via this style

[@LampManIsCool]

I have been playing Okami a lot lately. It’s so nostalgic to me.

[@AhmedMalaki]

I wanna play that game But I heard that it's an ok zelda clone it was an unpopular opinion I will still play it but zelda games are kinda hard to perfectly replicate them I get insane amount of joy from opening worlds with items and abilities mini shoot adventures managed to replicate that joy pretty well while still being original I will still play okami but an ok zelda game might as will as be a boring zelda game

[@LampManIsCool]

@@AhmedMalaki it’s not that much like Zelda.

[@theguythatplaysuniversesan9869]

When you don’t put in shadows, it just looks flat

[@Whimsykit]

That’s the point

[@soysource3218]

So glad you mentioned Arcane and it’s brilliant usage of hand painted textures! ❤

[@Yaxxin23IsCool]

Same engines call that outline effect “highlight” just in case anyone struggled to find it

[@butiful_fishie]

we just saw how the cube of death was made

[@MythicalBrew]

I WAS JUST ABOUT TO COMMENT THAT

[@butiful_fishie]

@@MythicalBrew hello fellow slap battles player

[@vickykitty9492]

YAAS THE PROMARE CLIP!!!! Gosh I love that sequence soo much!! Thanks so much for putting a spotlight on some of Trigger’s stunning work!!

[@Saturno0o-y4c]

Gimberly gigachad

[@Maxler5795]

Guilty gear strive mentioned i can die happy now

[@Ren_Amamiya_headspace]

Brisket

[@TheRealKotone-Shiomi]

@@Ren_Amamiya_headspaceBrisket!!!!

[@Ren_Amamiya_headspace]

@@TheRealKotone-Shiomi JOKER PERSONA 5 SUPER SMASH BROS!

[@TheRealKotone-Shiomi]

@@Ren_Amamiya_headspace YU NARUMUKI PERSONA 4 ARENA ULTIMAX!

[@Ren_Amamiya_headspace]

@@TheRealKotone-Shiomi THE UNIVERSES ARE COLLIDING

[@thatcowguy1308]

JET SET RADIOOOO

[@The16-Bitdude]

my fav of all time!

[@schabmielony]

Ultimate spider man is have the best outlines on whole game history

[@Rayodoodle]

FINALLY. SOMEONE ELSE WHO KNOWS OKAMI HD.

[@titanic_monarch796]

I'v argue that the sketch outlines method you use is more true to what you see in 2d art since in JSR, removing the outine just gives you the character minus the outline, whereas if you were to do that with drawn art the character looks weird and disproportionate, since the outline goes inward.

[@doodley3d]

Yeah I agree! The inverted hull method is good for games as it's very efficient, but I would only use it for very thin lines anywhere else. The downside of the sketch outline is that it's quite power hungry.

[@drwilby3195]

BRISKET :333

[@unclean_soooty]

Basketball ❤❤❤

[@daw8285]

Yasss we love our girly pop

[@PrinceFlumph]

Cell shading is such an underrated art style I find.

[@rozelia_the_octo06]

I got hype over jet set radio for no reason lmao but good video very informal

[@thecatacombhimself]

THAT SMOOTH ENDING TRANSITION THOUGH

[@hexagonalchaos]

BRIDGET!

[@corndotjpeg7655]

BRIDGET!

[@Ren_Amamiya_headspace]

BRISKET

[@Bananaseeds101]

BRIDGET!!!

[@coomcharger6105]

She's BALLIN

[@Omniscient_AI]

BUDGET!!

[@TerabyteAIX]

when I make materials in Blender, I basically use the technique of "bash random nodes together until it looks cool"

[@giggiba9771]

I'm not even interested in 3D but I watch the videos just because I think his character is cute

[@squidge18]

Brisket appearance 🤩

[@AziDoesQuestionableThings]

Bucket Guilty Gear

[@NickiRusin]

Buffy

[@effmereality]

guilty gear was last expected thing in this video

[@sepiasmith5065]

god the Arcane art style is so gorgeous i hope all the staff are getting paid so well

[@I_Drink_Pepsi_Wrong]

I cant (and never will) wrap my head around 3D outlines

[@baconlord69]

BRIDGET!!!!!!!!

[@NickNamesNil]

this is cool stuff how much does the animation software cost?

[@doodley3d]

I would start with Blender, which is free and can do pretty much everything this video mentions! The program mentioned here, Maya, costs $300/yr for Maya Indie.

[@Frog_Drip]

Doodley: 3d art is just a way of creating 2d images. Me: 🤯

[@Persvicx]

Jet set radio>>>

[@mpcgod6987]

brisket!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ducksinmyhead6320]

Briget

[@Dalek_Scientist]

Bucket!

[@CloverOfMisfortune]

“Yeah, i am.” *bends face*

[@Impactor-it1pl]

The Invert outline effect is also seen on the Rb battles swords and the battle beam fun fact

[@ExaltedWaffle]

Guilty Gear shown, you're now even more based

[@keygenrosie]

Brisket 💜

[@THEDR0NEZ0NE]

Male

[@Vai_se_fuder_games]

Does doodley like Noodles?

[@SomeoneMaybe05]

As in the food or the Noodle, the KZbinr.

[@Darting536]

"Don't overthink it" My dumbass: *WHOS GONNA STOP ME*

[@HatEnthusiast]

When Ōkami was mentioned it felt like a jumpscare straight out of my childhood.

[@williamswonderland3636]

You didn't fool me for a second. I knew it was 3d the whole time. Animators can tell these things apart very easily

[@TTD_Casual]

As Bob from Roblox Slap Battles, i can officially say that the cube he showed was in fact the infamous *cube of death*

[@JeremyBX]

I like this trend of YT Short makers seamlessly looping their shorts

[@BehrIstired]

Well I overthink and I tried my best not to overthink yet I still do.

[@theotherjared9824]

There is also the Mr. Game & Watch approach of literally flattening the 3D model until it's basically 2D. I'm surprised that hasn't been used more. Have a "2D" animation with nearly impossible camera angles and sweeping shot without breaking the illusion.

[@ioele1000]

I read somewhere that most modern anime is made this way, with exceptions of course, and when you see scenes that go from 2d to 3D they are just switching shaders. Idk how true it is, but sounds legit.

[@doodley3d]

I wouldn't say most. A handful are a mix of 2D and 3D (Dorohedoro, Beastars, etc. which might be what you're describing) and many rotoscope 3D models for more complex shots, but it's still a largely 2D animated industry.

[@JeromeShark]

Plot Twist: Doodley was always 2D, he’s just trapped in the 3D world, & is too thin for us to see

[@LocalBookHead]

The cube of death (i heard it kills) HE SUMMONED IT

[@derandi2324]

honestly okami is easily one my most favorite games of its genre hands down.

[@artsintheam]

same! love your pfp, splatoon is great

[@El_Manz]

The second I saw him move his arm forward I was so surprised :0

[@imRadial]

honestly the best style of video ive seen

[@dachannelbiz1136]

Ain’t no way I’m just finding u out after I failed my 3D Maya classes. I honestly lost passion in learning 3D bc of how terrible my professor is but I’m too stubborn about changing my focus yet so I’m retaking the class. You post pretty interesting stuffs and I think I’ll be more engaged with Maya this way :D

[@dyrmii_the_weirdo]

OMG FINALLY SOMEONE MENTIONS OKAMI, IM SO HAPPY

[@Shadowsplinter22]

This Ace Attorney remix is sick.

[@sequoia5934]

I MISS OKAMIII

[@Spidey2099official]

Perfect video. I’m a big fan of your animations

[@thatonetreeguy]

Idk how i can but i can definitely tell that Doodley is 3D

[@IamDesperateForAChannelName]

Now I can’t unsee the doodley without shader 😭😭😭

[@miguelabro]

As a 2d animator, i could tell from the start that doodley is 3d.

[@benm6893]

"inverted hull" is also called front face culling. The more you know.

[@midorifox]

That last line is great. Don't overthink it. KISS principle is a mandate for nearly everything. If you use blender, there's a simply node setup that does the same effect. I've found it by myself and I can't model or animate to save my life

[@AroAceEnbyTaste]

I always love seeing 3d used to make 2d animation. Cuz your brain looks at it and thinks wow someone drew that, but that's not always the case. And I especially love when a 2d animated project uses 3d for certain effects that you can't necessarily do easily in 2d!

[@SimplyTrulyNothing]

Animation is so cool and beautiful

[@user-jg6po4wc1j]

Amazing! Thanks!!

[@user-uf4bx6zh6z]

Your confidence is contagious.

[@doodley3d]

That's the hope!

[@Yummyfor1]

That cube looks like the cube of death

[@Gecko1993HogheadIncOfficial]

Cel-Shaded CGI rocks! Though sometimes the style doesn’t end up working out in the end. For example, Shantae was supposed to go 3D on the GameCube, but the cel-shading on her gave her what the devs refer to as “Flintstone Face”.

[@madgoat2125]

I’m a 2d artist but love 3d artists n art bc of the creativity and versatility, rock on :D

[@formal_club]

great video!! :) ❤

[@GremlinSciences]

That's a really common thing in anime as well. Many anime fans _hate_ 3dcg, but what they don't realize (and what I'm constantly pointing out) is that a _lot_ of anime is entirely 3dcg. If you know what indicators to look for, it usually just jumps right out at you. Whenever you're watching an anime and think " wow, that looks really good," and it's not pre-2000's, it's probably using 3dcg

[@RiotTrail]

Exactly right, reminds me of a saying, when you hear galloping, think horses, not zebras, the simplest idea is usually the right one

[@geministrial950]

The first time i saw Doodley he reminded me of a TV show i used to watch as a kid called "League of Super Evil" or something like that

[@yeetyr]

Was not expecting to see Arcane, but still greatful

[@BobLuckIsReal]

Blud just explained how they made the cube of death outline

[@mrwoodcat]

that ending is a straight fax

[@TheApoke]

Great tutorial!!

[@ccoiser]

jetset radio... the memories

[@killerwlf9631]

DUDE THSI IS AMAZING!

[@yourlocalflightlessangel02833]

Bro, you really deserve so many more subscribers your animations are perfect

[@sirfrenchfries]

kirbys return to dreamland deluxe made me love these outlines