v1.8.0 — Shader GUI & Integration Update

New Features

Added clearer guidance for Transparency Mask using the Main Texture Alpha Channel
Added Documentation buttons to individual features for quick access to the relevant documentation

Improved Workflow

Improved Shader GUI for Mask Features to reduce confusion and make settings easier to understand
Improved the visual state of Mask Texture features to make their status more prominent and easier to identify
Improved Outline and Contact Shadow compatibility with the upcoming ZLZ Env Shader

Bug Fixes

Fixed Additional Light passing through walls

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v1.7.0 — Receive Shadow Update

New Features

Added Soft Shadow support for Receive Shadow
Added Receive Shadow softness and sharpness controls
Added Self-Shadow Rejection support to prevent characters from receiving shadows cast by themselves while still receiving shadows from other objects
Added per-material Self-Shadow Rejection settings for greater customization

Improved Workflow

Improved Receive Shadow customization and control

Bug Fixes

Improved shadow rendering stability and character shadow separation

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v1.6.0 — Shadow & Outline Update

New Features

Added Character Contact Shadow support for hair shadow replacement
Added Shadow Edge support for enhanced light and shadow transitions
Added Screen Space Outline support
Added Screen Space Outline Mask support

Improved Workflow

Updated WebGL Demo for v1.6.0

Bug Fixes

Fixed ShadowCaster support for proper Shadow Cascade rendering

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v1.5.0 — Texture Mask & Character Effects Update

New Features

Added configurable Texture Mask Channel assignments for Shader features
Added Specular support for stylized highlights on characters and materials
Added Outline Selection support for character highlighting and target indication
Added Dither Camera Fade for automatic camera obstruction fading
Added Dither Occlusion Fade for automatic object occlusion fading

Added Texture Mask Packer

A tool designed to simplify texture mask creation and management.

Features include:

Pack multiple mask textures into RGBA channels
Preview channel assignments before packing
Generate optimized mask textures for Shader features

Improved Workflow

Added runtime helper scripts to make FX features easier to set up and ready to use with minimal configuration

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v1.4.0 — Character Workflow & Performance Optimization Update

New Features

- Added Normal Map support

- Added Alpha Channel support for masking unwanted Outline areas

- Optimized Shader performance for lower rendering cost and better efficiency

Added Character Dashboard

A centralized hub designed to make character setup faster and more convenient.

Features include:

- Faster character setup with Auto Head Bone Detection

- Smooth Normal Bake tool for higher-quality and more optimized Outline rendering

- One-click Tone Mapping setup directly from the Character Dashboard

- Auto Setup Outline Draws to reduce draw calls generated by Outline rendering

Added ZLZ Shader Optimizer

A tool designed to help analyze and optimize character performance more efficiently.

Features include:

- Overview of Materials, Shader Cost, and Texture Usage

- Performance Budget presets for PC / Android / iOS

- Toggle Shader features on/off to instantly preview Shader Cost impact

- Compress Texture Size per Material or optimize the entire character at once

Bug Fixes

- Fixed GI Lighting leaking into character shadows causing incorrect shadow colors

- Fixed Filmic Curve incorrectly using Anime Mode Exposure settings

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v1.3.0 — Stylized Tone Mapping & Workflow Update

Release Summary

This version introduces a new Tone Mapping system designed to enhance anime, cartoon, and stylized visuals. It also improves the usability of the Head Direction Binder script, making setup simpler and more intuitive for users.

What’s New

- Added Auto-Detect Head Bone Axis, allowing one-click setup without manual configuration

- Fixed an issue where Head Bone alignment was incorrect on certain characters

- Introduced a Tone Mapping system for controlling brightness, contrast, and color intensity

- Added two Tone Mapping modes: Anime and Filmic

- Enabled full customization of Tone Mapping settings, with the ability to save and reuse presets

- Added a Preview Curve in the Unity Editor for intuitive Tone Mapping adjustment

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v1.2.0 — Face Shadow Accuracy & Workflow Update

Release Summary

This version focuses on improving the Face Shadow system and overall workflow, making it more accurate, easier to use, and visually refined. It also provides better control over behavior in the Editor, reducing unnecessary material changes and preventing unwanted Version Control updates.

What’s New

- Improved facial lighting and shadow behavior to correctly respond to light direction

- Enhanced accuracy of nose and facial shadow rendering

- Smoother shadow fading, reducing harsh edges and abrupt cutoffs

- Updated Face Shadow system to be driven by the Head Bone, improving compatibility with non-standard character orientations and overall accuracy

- Added a helper to notify users if the required script or Head Bone for Face Shadow is not assigned

- Updated Script: ZLZ_Head Direction Binder to support enabling/disabling Editor Preview

Enabled: The script runs in the Editor, ensuring correct visual results immediately, but updates material values, which may cause changes in Version Control
Disabled: The script runs only at Runtime and does not send values to materials in the Editor, preventing changes in Version Control

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v1.1.0 — Face Shadow Redesign

Release Summary

This update completely redesigns the Face Shadow system, making it more visually appealing, more flexible, and easier to use across a wide range of characters.

What’s New

- Improved UX/UI to make the Face Shadow feature more prominent and easier to use

- Supports a wide variety of face UV layouts

- Includes a reusable Face Shadow texture (no need to switch textures per character)

- Added Debug Face UV mode for setup and troubleshooting

- Added UV Scale and Offset controls for precise adjustment

- Added Flip UV option for handling inverted UVs

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v1.0.0 — Initial Release

Release Summary

Initial release of ZLZ Anime Shader for the Universal Render Pipeline (URP)
Anime-style character shader designed for real production use
Suitable for both Artists and Technical Artists

Features

Hair Transparent : Transparent hair rendering for clear facial visibility
Hair Shadow : Sharp and high-quality hair shadows that add depth and realism
Base Character Colors : Direct control over base color and shadow color of the character
Face Shadow : Face shadow control for clear and readable anime-style facial shading
Receive Realtime Shadow : Supports receiving realtime shadows from scene lighting
Lighting : Supports Main Directional Light and Additional Lights
Toon Shade Ramp : Controls sharpness and smooth transitions between light and shadow
Outline : Adjustable character outline with controllable thickness and color
Metallic : Tuned metallic surface support for anime-style materials
Hair Highlight : Adds stylized highlights to hair for shine and depth
Emissive : Controls emissive color and intensity for special effects
Dissolve : Dissolve effect for character appearance and disappearance
Transparency : Supports transparent materials for special use cases
Soft Light : Soft additive lighting to enhance skin smoothness
Rim Light : Rim lighting to separate the character from the background
Target Darken : Darkens the character to emphasize targets or important scenes
Indicator : Visual indicator effects for character states or targets
Get Hit : Reactive visual effect when the character is hit
Upgrade : Visual effects for character or equipment upgrades
Light Sweep : Sweeping light effect for showcasing weapons or special moments

Performance & Compatibility

Built for the Universal Render Pipeline (URP)
Optimized for mobile and real-time projects
Feature-based shader variants for efficient performance
Compatible with SRP Batcher
Designed for Mobile and PC platforms

ZLZ Anime Shader