We're changing Blender forever.

Summary

In a groundbreaking move, the team behind Goo Engine is joining Blender's development to integrate native NPR (Non-Photorealistic Rendering) tools into the software, revolutionizing stylized 3D animation. This collaboration aims to make stylized rendering accessible to both large studios and independent artists by streamlining the process and offering powerful new features like light linking. In addition to this, an open movie project will showcase these features in action, with development funded through Patreon. Supporters will gain access to exclusive assets and updates, contributing to a future where stylized rendering is the norm in 3D animation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Blender, historically designed for photorealistic rendering, is being enhanced to support non-photorealistic rendering (NPR), making stylized 3D animation more accessible.
• 😀 NPR (Non-Photo Realistic Rendering) is a style that gives 3D animation a 2D, hand-drawn look, which has become more popular in recent years, especially after Spider-Verse.
• 😀 Stylized rendering is complex, requiring breaking traditional photorealistic rendering rules, making it difficult for large studios to adopt.
• 😀 Goo Engine, developed by Dylan Goo Studios, is a Blender add-on that supports NPR without requiring major workarounds, making stylized rendering easier for artists.
• 😀 Goo Engine 4.2 has been delayed due to changes in Blender’s backend (Eevee Legacy), but a major announcement is coming regarding its future integration into Blender.
• 😀 Dylan Goo Studios has officially joined the Blender development team to build NPR and stylized rendering tools directly into Blender.
• 😀 These new features will provide professional-grade tools for stylized filmmaking, with Blender’s native NPR support becoming a major development focus.
• 😀 Blender’s development team lacked the bandwidth to prioritize NPR, but the collaboration with Dylan Goo Studios brings real-world expertise to building these features.
• 😀 As part of this partnership, the Goo Engine lead developer will work directly on the Blender NPR tools, contributing to the engine’s development.
• 😀 The Blender NPR prototype is already available to download, and new features like light linking have been added in Blender 4.3, thanks to this collaboration.
• 😀 To fund this effort, Dylan Goo Studios is using Patreon, offering assets and updates to supporters, while also working on an open movie project to showcase these new features.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the announcement in the video?

The main focus of the announcement is that Dylan Goo Studios is collaborating with Blender's development team to integrate native support for Non-Photorealistic Rendering (NPR) directly into Blender. This will make stylized rendering more accessible for artists and studios.

What is Goo Engine, and why is it important for stylized rendering?

Goo Engine is a stylized rendering version of Blender developed by Dylan Goo Studios. It supports NPR without the need for complex workarounds, allowing artists to achieve stylized 3D renders with greater ease. It has been particularly valuable for the studio's own 3D anime projects and is helping to shape the future of stylized animation.

Why is stylized rendering difficult in current 3D software?

Stylized rendering is difficult because most 3D software, including Blender, was initially built with photorealistic rendering in mind. To achieve a stylized look, artists often have to break the software's rules, leading to inefficiencies and complications, especially in large team environments.

What role does the collaboration with Blender's development team play in this project?

The collaboration with Blender's development team is crucial because it allows Dylan Goo Studios to bring their expertise in stylized rendering to Blender. By working together, they can integrate NPR features directly into Blender, making stylized rendering more practical and accessible for everyone.

What is the significance of the 'NPR prototype' mentioned in the video?

The NPR prototype is an early version of the Non-Photorealistic Rendering features that are currently available for download. It is a demonstration of the work being done to integrate stylized rendering into Blender, allowing users to explore and test the new functionality.

How will Blender users benefit from the integration of NPR tools?

Blender users will benefit from the integration of NPR tools by having access to powerful and flexible features designed specifically for stylized rendering. These tools will simplify the creation of 3D animation in a hand-drawn style, opening up new possibilities for both indie artists and large studios.

What is the open movie project mentioned in the video?

The open movie project is a Blender project being developed using the NPR tools. It is part of the development process for the new NPR features in Blender. The project will serve as a testing ground to refine the tools and gather feedback, with the full production files being shared with the community.

What will happen to Goo Engine after the NPR features are integrated into Blender?

While Goo Engine will still be updated, the focus will shift to Blender once the NPR tools are integrated. Goo Engine 4.2 has faced challenges due to changes in Blender's Eevee Legacy, but the development team will continue to support Goo Engine 4.1 with updates, including quality-of-life improvements and new features for users.

How can people support this initiative and get access to the latest content?

People can support this initiative by donating to the project's Patreon. This will give them access to production-tested assets, updates for Goo Engine, and the open movie project files. Supporters will also join a Discord community where they can interact with the development team and gain behind-the-scenes insights.

Why is stylized animation considered under-supported in 3D software?

Stylized animation has traditionally been under-supported in 3D software because most tools were designed for photorealistic rendering, and the unique needs of stylized rendering were not a priority. This initiative aims to address that gap and make stylized rendering a core feature in Blender.