====== Materials available in VCI (Shader) ======

You can use the following shaders in VCI.

  * UnlitShader
  * [[en:unity:shader:mtoonreference | MToon reference]]
  * [[en:vci:overview:material:standardshader| StandardShader]]

===== Summary =====

You can use three shaders in VCI: **UniUnlit (Unlit)**, **StanderdShader** and **Mtoon**.

  * UniUnlit(Unlit): Render the color of the texture as is without calculating shadows.
  * [[en:unity:shader:mtoonreference|MToon]]: the toon shader also used in VRM (avatar). It creates the anime look.
  * [[en:vci:overview:material:standardshader| StandardShader]]: Designed on physics based rendering. Good for realistic look.

For the detail on MToon, refer to the [[en:unity:shader:mtoonreference|MToon reference]].\\
As for the StandardShader, you cannot use all properties available as some of them are incompatible.\\
For the detail on setting up StandardShader, refer to [[en:vci:overview:material:standardshader| StandardShader in VCI]].

===== Limitation of StandardShader =====

{{:vci:material:standardshaderforvci.jpg?direct&600|}}

  * Exportable textures are BaseColor, Metallic, Normal, Occlusion and Emission\\ (Secondary map and height map are not supported).
  * Emission will not be applied properly unless the post-effect is enabled.\\ To enable the post-effect, you have to change the graphic quality setting in VirtualCast to "High".
  * [[en:virtualcast:other:posteffect | Post-effects in VirtualCast]]

===== When to use which Shader =====

{{:vci:material:standardunlit.jpg?direct&600|}}

==== Pros of Unlit ====

  * The process is very light in weight.
  * It will not be affected by [[en:virtualcast:studio:item:lightsource|light source]], so you can always keep a certain look.\\ (The unlit is good for objects that don't need any darkening such as texts)
  * For the immobile objects, you can directly bake shadows into the texture to render shadows with the least calculation.

==== Cons of Unlit ====

  * Defeats the 3D feel of the object if a texture with a plain color or a pattern is used.
  * Baking shadow on the texture of a moving object will result in unnatural look when the object is moved.\\ Or you have to manually draw shadow that doesn't look unnatural when moving.
  * The texture is rendered bright when a texture with high brightness is used.

==== Pros of StandardShader ====

  * Looks realistic when the materials are set up properly.
  * Shadow is rendered correctly when the [[en:virtualcast:studio:item:lightsource|light source]] item is moved.
  * Dimming the [[en:virtualcast:studio:item:lightsource|light source]] will dim the material as well.

==== Cons of StandardShader ====

  * Computationally demanding compared to Unlit
  * As it is effected by the [[en:virtualcast:studio:item:lightsource|light source]], the object may look unnatural based on how the [[en:virtualcast:studio:item:lightsource|light source]] is placed (placement, angle and strength).
  * Not good for objects used for UI such as texts.

===== When to use MToon in VCI =====

  * When you want to use UV-scroll (The only shader that supports UV-scroll...//
[[en:unity:shader:mtoonsample1|Expression of light using MToon]]
  * When creating a toon looking VCI
  * When you want to use a Matcap