PSOFT Pencil+ 4 is a specialized non-photorealistic rendering (NPR) plugin for Autodesk 3ds Max that replicates the aesthetics of traditional Japanese 2D animation, pen-and-ink drawings, and color pencil sketches. Initially released in 2017, this version introduced significant workflow improvements and performance boosts, specifically tailored for production environments in film and television. Key Features of Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max

Disclaimer: Psoft Pencil® is a registered trademark. This guide is for educational purposes. Always purchase software licenses from official developers to support continued innovation.

Key Features of Version 4

Screen & Surface Projection: Paint across multiple objects simultaneously.
Dynamic Worn Edges: Generate realistic paint chipping and metal wear automatically based on mesh convexity.
Mask Stacking: Combine multiple painted layers with blending modes (Multiply, Add, Subtract).
Spline Driven Details: Convert splines to painted strokes for mechanical paneling.
Speed: Optimized GPU acceleration for Windows systems.

with watermarks to verify compatibility with your specific 3ds Max environment. www.psoft.co.jp toon shading effect or instructions on how to use the Nitrous viewport

Detailed Line Control: Users can specify where lines appear using edge detection settings for intersections, smoothing boundaries, and material ID boundaries.

Pencil+ 4 is not just a shader; it includes a suite of utilities to streamline production: PSOFT Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max / Pencil+ 4 Spreadsheet

: Experiment with the "Selected Edge" and "Open Edge" settings to draw lines only where they are artistically necessary, rather than just outlining every polygon. Compositing Render Elements Output

The Anime Secret Weapon: PSOFT Pencil+ 4 for 3ds Max (2015–2018)