Outlines
Updated: 3 Mar 2025
Add outlines to geometry in the scene.
Outlines
Method #
This node generates an outline around the visible edges of meshes in the scene, by looking at the objects visible features in the depth buffer and normal sharpness in the normal buffer, and combines the two to generate edge lines. Useful as a part of a Toon Shading effect, or to add an outer highlight to an object.
This node uses the scene depth buffer to render, so when used with a Render Layer all objects inside and out will be outlined. This can be avoided by using the Affected Objects input on this node, or enabling Use Own Depth Buffer in the Render Layer.
Parameters
These properties control the core behaviours of the node.
Parameter Details Active
Enables or disables the effect. Disabling the effect means it will no longer compute, so disabling a node when not in use can improve performance.
Apply To Sold Geometry
Toggle whether the effect should only apply to solid geometry, or the whole of the scene.
Colour
The colour of the lines around each object.
Line Width
Width of the lines around the objects
Material Amount
The strength of the outline across boundaries of materials.
Object Amount
The strength of the outline across boundaries of objects.
Normal Amount
The Amount of the line that is generated at the normal to the objects surface.
Depth Amount
The strength of the outline caused by differing depths.
Normal Threshold
Set the threshold for lines rendered based on the normal.
Depth Threshold
Set the threshold for lines rendered based on the depth.
The properties control the time at which the node is active. See Timeline for editing time segments.
Parameter Details Duration
Control the duration of the node’s time segment.
- Composition Duration : Use the length of the composition for the node’s time segment duration.
- Custom : Set a custom duration for the node’s time segment.
Node Time
The custom start and end time for the node.
Duration (Timecode)
The length of the node’s time segment (in time).
Duration (Frames)
The length of the node’s time segment (in frames).
Time Segment Enabled
Set whether the node’s time segment is enabled or not in the Timeline.
Inputs
These properties control the core behaviours of the node.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Active | Enables or disables the effect. Disabling the effect means it will no longer compute, so disabling a node when not in use can improve performance. |
| Apply To Sold Geometry | Toggle whether the effect should only apply to solid geometry, or the whole of the scene. |
| Colour | The colour of the lines around each object. |
| Line Width | Width of the lines around the objects |
| Material Amount | The strength of the outline across boundaries of materials. |
| Object Amount | The strength of the outline across boundaries of objects. |
| Normal Amount | The Amount of the line that is generated at the normal to the objects surface. |
| Depth Amount | The strength of the outline caused by differing depths. |
| Normal Threshold | Set the threshold for lines rendered based on the normal. |
| Depth Threshold | Set the threshold for lines rendered based on the depth. |
The properties control the time at which the node is active. See Timeline for editing time segments.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration |
Control the duration of the node’s time segment.
|
| Node Time | The custom start and end time for the node. |
| Duration (Timecode) | The length of the node’s time segment (in time). |
| Duration (Frames) | The length of the node’s time segment (in frames). |
| Time Segment Enabled | Set whether the node’s time segment is enabled or not in the Timeline. |
| Name | Description | Typical Input |
|---|---|---|
| Affected Objects | Change which objects are affects by the post effect. By default, all objects are affected. | 3D Object |