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VRayEdgesTex is a fast, flexible way to add stylized outlines and NPR accents directly in V-Ray—no third‑party post plugins required.
Quick setup for a clean outline pass
- Create a VRayEdgesTex; set edge color to near‑black and background to near‑white (or mid‑gray if you plan to multiply in comp).
- Add a VRayExtraTex render element and assign the VRayEdgesTex to it. This produces a dedicated line AOV that’s easy to composite.
- For on‑beauty previews, feed the VRayEdgesTex into a VRayLightMtl and apply via a global material override on a separate render layer.
- Always test at final resolution; perceived line thickness changes with output size and viewing distance.
Integrating outlines into the beauty
- VRayBlendMtl approach: set your base material as “Base,” then add a coat/tint layer driven by VRayEdgesTex. Use the edges output as the layer’s mask for controlled, additive lines.
- Compositing approach: render the line AOV via VRayExtraTex and multiply/overlay it in comp. This keeps thickness, color, and falloff non‑destructive and easy to art‑direct per shot.
- Combine with a subtle Filmic/LUT grade in the VFB or in comp to keep outlines integrated with the overall look.
Control and styling tips
- Thickness consistency: align your scene scale and units; small scenes need proportionally smaller widths. Lock a reference camera distance when dialing thickness.
- Selective outlines: duplicate VRayEdgesTex with different colors/widths and mask by Material IDs or object sets to emphasize hero parts and de‑emphasize background assets.
- Depth awareness: in comp, use Z‑Depth to fade lines with distance for a cinematic, atmospheric read.
- Silhouette bias: combine the edges pass with a Facing Ratio or a soft AO to thicken silhouettes while keeping internal creases lighter.
- Color styling: map edge color through a gradient by ID or curvature for tech‑illustration or manga‑style color lines.
Avoid common pitfalls
- Triangulation artifacts: if diagonal lines appear, ensure clean topology or rely on render‑time subdivision; keep modifiers consistent across instances.
- Flicker in animation: prefer a dedicated edges AOV (VRayExtraTex) and apply a slight post blur/dilate; avoid over‑thin lines on fast‑moving assets.
- Overdraw cost: the edges pass is light, but heavy displacement/subdiv everywhere is not—reserve fine subdivision for hero objects; use proxies elsewhere.
Pro move: soft NPR with rounded corners
Feed VRayEdgesTex into a material’s bump to emulate tiny bevels (rounded corners). This subtly softens specular transitions, reduces “razor” highlights, and helps the stylized look read better—without remodeling chamfers.
Upgrading or standardizing your V-Ray seats? Explore options at NOVEDGE: browse V-Ray solutions, compare host‑app versions, and consult their experts at novedge.com for licensing and pipeline advice.
