This here is just plain uuuugly. Unfortunately it's also pretty much the default setting for toon lines in Animation Master.

Line Bias: 20
Line Width = 1.5

Update: In later versions the default lines dont look quite as nasty as this. This was originally written for AM 8.5.

First thing we do is crank down the line width to somewhere below 1. (doesnt really seem to matter where you put it, .0001 - .9999 gives the same results) Let's go 0.5.

Much better, but still pretty crappy lookin.

Update: In v9.5+ there is a diff between a width of .0001 - .9999, so play with the numbers to get the width you need.

Line Bias: 20
Line Width = 0.5

The most important thing you can do is turn on Anti Aliasing!

Kickass, now it's lookin nifty.

AntiAlias ON
Line Bias: 20
Line Width = 0.5

Update: In v10.5+ use multi-pass.

I usually like to turn the line bias up to around 50. this reduces the number of lines and makes it look much cleaner.

To change it, go into your final render options, turn on "Override Lines" .. then on the Toon Lines tab change the bias to 50. Then go back to Final Options and turn "Override Lines" back OFF! If you dont any special lines you have setup for your model (like in the next section) will be overridden.

WARNING! Animation Master (at least in 8.5) has this nasty tendency to change the bias back to 20 every time you restart AM! So remember to change it back whenever you load.

Update: In AM v10 they've fixed that bias bug, plus you can set a bias value for each color group.

AntiAlias ON
Line Bias: 50
Line Width = 0.5

For some parts of your model (like this characters shirt and arm ribbons) you may want a different toon line color, to do this just go the group properties for that part of the model, turn on "Override Lines". It will have its own toon line tab where you can change its color!

AntiAlias ON
Line Bias: 50
Line Width = 0.5

And finally, for really nice, fine toon lines turn on Oversampling in your Render options under the Image tab.

This makes the lines really smooth and sharp, but quadruples your render time!

Look at the image to the left and compare it to the one above it.. the lines at the top of the head for example, or the white lines in the ribbon. much nicer.

AntiAlias ON
Line Bias: 50
Line Width = 0.5
Oversample = 200%

Yet another update: In AM v9+ Oversampling was removed. Just render out a larger image then shrink it down in Photoshop or AE. Same thing.


PEAKED


SMOOTH
 Take a look at the 2 images to the left.

The top one has the geometry in the face, horns, hands and feet peaked ('p' key). The bottom has the normal curves.

Peaking parts of your geometry can help you get straighter, harsher lines which are good for ferocious beasties and other things. It's subtle and a matter of preference, but try it out.

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