HALFTONE SHADER
The shader operates by isolating highlights, midtones, and shadows, then passing them through a repetitive dot pattern where each dot's size varies according to light intensity. These patterns are layered and recombined, with the color of each element easily adjustable and applicable to anything. The shader’s design allows for easy adjustment of the color for each tonal region (highlights, midtones, shadows), enabling users to create various stylistic effects, from classic monochromatic halftones to vivid, multi-colored compositions. The result is a visually striking effect that combines the tactile, handmade feel of vintage print with the precision and flexibility of digital 3D rendering. The shader is particularly suited for creating a retro aesthetic with a slightly eerie or unsettling vibe, perfect for projects aiming to evoke a sense of nostalgia or to stylize horror-themed visuals.
PIXEL ART VARIANT
Building upon the same base shader network, a pixel art variant has been developed, offering a unique twist on the traditional halftone effect. By lowering the resolution and sample size, and disabling sample filtering, the shader transforms into a pixelated rendering tool that replicates the look of classic 8-bit and 16-bit video game graphics.
This pixel art shader simplifies the image into larger, blocky pixels, each representing a distinct color or tone, providing a sharp, low-resolution aesthetic that’s perfect for stylized renderings, retro game assets, or artistic animations. Users can adjust the resolution to control the size of the pixels, allowing for a range of effects from coarse, chunky pixelation to finer, more detailed pixel art.
