To further demonstrate this tool, we'll create our own simple scene to view the dramatic difference that Ambient Occlusion provides:
1. Open a new blank project. Select the Set tab and click on the Water button.
2. Double-click on Water 9 to load it from the Still Normal sub-folder of the water folder in the left side Content Manager.
3. Set the water's Height to 0 in the Basic Water Parameters of the right side menu and change the color to black, which will actually change the water to a light blue for the moment.
4. Select the Stage tab and click the 2D background button.
5. Set the background color to white and uncheck the Active box so we can see the white background. The workspace will appear white at this point.
6. Select the Set tab and click on the Props button. From the Architecture folder in the left side Content Manager, double click on Deckhouse_B to load it into the workspace.
7. Double-click on the Jeep prop located in the prop folder to load it into the scene.
8. Pull the camera back to see the prop. Position the camera and the jeep as in the following image:
9. Select the Stage tab and click on the Atmosphere button.
10. Check the box for Ambient Occlusion within the Ambient Occlusion section of the right side menu.
11. Change the AO parameters as follows.
Strength: 30
Range: 62
Distance: 4
12. Save the file.
We set up a light colored scene with light colored objects to make a quick test of the AO features and then made changes in the parameters to demonstrate the differences.
Turn the AO checkbox on and off to view the difference AO makes. Focus on sections of the house and jeep, then click the box on and off.
Change the three parameters that affect AO so you can really get an idea of what depth this great tool brings to the overall look of iClone generated footage.
The Toon (cartoon) Shader was a much requested feature and came about mostly at the insistence of a particular Reallusion community member and fellow developer named Paumanok West, a dedicated toon head and all around great artist in many disciplines. It also helps that he is a perfectionist who constantly strives to improve his work so he will most likely be one of the go-to members of the community for future information about this shader.