Soft Outline Shader (VRChat)

A shader designed to be used in VRChat! As its core is a shader, it is PC only!
Please read the full product page before purchase <3

If you enjoy this product, please consider leaving a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, checking out my other products, or joining my discord server for more! It helps me make more stuff like this!

This shader enables you to have a nice soft outline on your model. It uses no screen effects and doesn't rely on post processing like bloom, just a mesh fin that is generated in the shader! This also enables some really neat audiolink effects! For more details, read below!

Use textures to customize the effect!

Settings to enable other effects like fire or drop shadows!

AND MORE! See the full details and installation instructions in the overview video:

*some new features and minor changes may have been made since recording.

Additional Product Information PLEASE READ:

This shader is both a standalone shader, and a lightly integrated poiyomi module. What does this mean? It means that you can either apply the shader by adding an extra material, or by using poiyomi shader with the module installed! See the installation instruction video for more information.

Due to the shader being an extra pass, it is only lightly integrated with Poiyomi shader. Some features, like Poiyomi dissolve, will not effect the Soft Outlines. One exception to this is UV discards, which are explicitly supported.

This effect is impacted by the topology of your mesh, hard or split edges can result in outline artifacts. It is highly likely that you will not be able to get a perfect smooth outline, but all models I have tried the effect on have been passable. Make sure to follow the installation tutorial for details on how to minimize these artifacts.

Inspector Settings:

Dependencies:

This product requires Poiyomi shader in the project! Download Poiyomi from: https://github.com/poiyomi/PoiyomiToonShader/releases
(alternatively, Poiyomi Pro, or standalone thry editor for different use cases)

Links:

Come Join the Discord for WIP pictures, support, and future discord exclusive assets!

Changelog:

1.0: Base Release.

1.1: Added "Edge Brightness Limit" to help with people accidentally making their settings way too bright for worlds with bloom. Adjusted "Edge Min Value" to default to .01 for the same reason.

TOS:

By purchasing this product you are agreeing to be subject to the terms and conditions outlined in this TOS section:

1. You are buying the rights to use this product in accordance with this TOS. I (known as Zekk), as the author of the product, retain full copyrights of this product.
2. You may not, under any circumstances, share or redistribute this product in any form. To better define this condition, here are some common examples, along with if the action is allowed or not:
   1. Share the product files/unitypackage with a person who has not purchased the files themselves from here first: Not Allowed.
   2. Upload a public or private avatar/world to VRChat that uses the product: Allowed.
   3. Include the product files with an avatar that you are selling or giving away: Not Allowed.
   4. Include the product files with an avatar/asset that you were commissioned to make by a person who has not purchased the files themselves from here first: Not Allowed.
3. I am not responsible for any damage caused by the use of this product.
4. You are allowed to use this product in videos and streams, given that the product files are not accessible to the public for download or use.
5. You may not take credit for this product.
6. These terms and conditions are subject to change at anytime without notice.
7. Unfortunately, due to the nature of digital assets, no refunds will be accepted.
8. Superseding all other terms, this product in all its forms may not be used in any crypto or crypto adjacent project, or for training AI.
9. I am not responsible if a VRChat/Unity update causes issues with or breaks the product in the future, however, I will attempt to update it to maintain usability where possible at my own discretion.

COMMERCIAL USE: My TOS is compatible with "dependency" based commercial use. Where a purchaser of your product is directed to purchase my product from this page, and install it along side of your avatar or other product which uses it. It is YOUR responsibility to ensure that no files (including locked shader files) from this product are included in any package you distribute. In addition, due to overall uncertainty surrounding it, this product MAY NOT be used on AVATARS being sold via the VRChat creator economy at this time (worlds involved in the creator economy are fine to use it). This is subject to change at any time.

If you are unsure whether your usage of this product would violate these terms, please reach out to me via the discord server above!
Any TOS or verification inquiries from me will come via discord from: zekk.dev

Credits:

Nessie who first showed me Silhouette Fin Extrusion in game which is the basis for this effect.

Models Used in showcase and promo footage:
Rusk by komado at: https://booth.pm/en/items/2559783
Merriana by Astrafluff at: https://astrafluff.gumroad.com/l/Merriana
CherubBot by Polygoncherub at: https://bsky.app/profile/polygoncherub.bsky.social

I used Exsy Glitter as a reference for good packaging of Poiyomi modules (specifically using the "+moduleName" was something that I liked from their setup): https://exsy.booth.pm/items/5492450
Its pretty cool if you are looking for some really nice glitter!

GPU Gems awesome article on Silhouette Fin Extrusion.

Most promo was shot in CyberLove | A7 サイバーラブ by ArtsyGlitch: https://vrchat.com/home/world/wrld_53939e6c-821e-4d45-b56b-5e305cfa8882

Search terms:
Soft Outline, Aura, Bloom, Glow, Audiolink, VFX, Avatar Effects, Shader