Rendering only the glowing outline of a geometry

[Joezeta]

So, I need the exact same effect of the vrayToon effect with 'hide inner edges' option turned on. But I need it to cast light.
In other words I need to render a glowing outline.
I've tried Vray edges textures but it shows inner triangles.
I've tried VrayToon render element but it doesn't cast light.

Any idea on how to achieve such effect?

[vladimir_krastev]

Hi, thanks for posting. Could you tell us which host application you are using (3ds Max or SketchUp for instance)?

[Joezeta]

I'm using 3dsmax

[vladimir_krastev]

Hi, this is what I was able to accomplish.


The test scene is attached, using VRayLightMtl, VRayBlendMtl and VRayCompTex

[Joezeta]

Hey Vladimir, thanks, I can replicate that effect too, but that is not what I'm looking for.
I would like to have just the outline, as you can see the attached image. I've achieved that with the toon atmospheric effect and 'hide inner edges' option enabled.
The only problem is that the outline is not casting light.
It would be nice to have something like the 'Tron' effect.
I've read other peoples posts trying to achieve that but with no luck, at least from what I've understood.

[vladimir_krastev]

Hi, have you tried using VRayToonMtl for this effect? Here is a nice tutorial about setting up a VRayToonMtl.
Please check it out, I will also try to build a test scene and lets see if we can achieve the effect you desire.

[Joezeta]

Hey vladimir_krastev I've tried the VrayToonMtl too, but it looks like it doesn't have the 'line' functionality, whereas the vrayToon atmospheric effect does.
I suspect this effect is not achievable, in Vray 6 update 1.2.
I can't even imagine a way to blend shaders effectively, to obtain that result, which would be having an outline emitting an actual light.

[^Lele^]

You would need a specific map for the outline alone.
I've asked the Toon dev if anything could be done to transfer the toon effect (outline without inner edges) to a texture.

[jackieteh]

Hi, do you have any reference images for the effect you looking for?

[flat]

This is a classic normal-reversal object stacking trick.

[fixeighted]

This option could work, depending on what precisely you need.

In this image the toon atmospheric outline is made using matting to get the regular outline plus the reflection,
then used in a light material within a blend material, using camera mapping.

[fixeighted]

This is a classic normal-reversal object stacking trick.

Hehe, that's clever

I like my option more though