Tutorial : How to make Simpsons Hit and Run in cel-shading using Reshade

01/15/2021 UPDATE : Since newer versions of Lucas Simpson Hit & Run Launcher can run the game under Directx 9, I redid the tutorial a bit and skipped the part about Dg Voodoo Software.
I also updated the UIMask template, since the older version seemed to actually do the contrary than intended with new launcher (applying cel-shading to the part that were supposed to be excluded).

Hello everyone,

I recently got to make Reshade work with the Simpsons Hit and Run, and was able to put the game in cel-shading, as you can see on the picture below.


I believe this style suits the game a lot more than "ordinary 3d", and was suggested to open a new topic about how to achieve it.

First of all, you have to make the game run under a later version of directx (Reshade apparently doesn't work with Directx 8 games), using Dg Voodoo software.

You can download it here : Dg Voodoo 2

Just extract the "exe" and the "conf" files in your executable folder, as well as the 3 files contained in the "MS" folder of the zipped file (D3D8.dll, D3Dlmm.dll, and DDraw.dll).

Now, as you launch the game, you should see a "Dg Voodoo" watermark on the corner of your screen (you can disable it later through Dg Voodoo).

Download and install ReShade : Reshade

When asked for the shaders you want to download, choose (at least) :
Technicolor 2,
Levels,
UI Mask,
SMAA.

In addition, download the "Outline" shader here : Outline shader link

Finally, download the UIMask.png here : UIMask.png
Replace the one in the "textures" folder by this one

Now, when starting the game, you should get the following screen, confirming reshade is in use :


Press the "'home" key (the one with an arrow above your "end" key), and Reshade should open.

Put the shaders in the following order and check them :
Technicolor 2 (to get better cel-shading separation and vivid colors, especially when using Voodoo which seems to "wash out" the colors a bit),
Levels (Emphasizes the contrast without messing the cel shading, in my opinion),
UIMask_Top (Tells Reshade not to apply "outline" to UI),
Outline (the actual cel shading effect),
UIMask_Bottom,
SMAA (to smooth up the picture, so that the cel shading will look less "PS2" like).

On the picture below are my presets : I think it's best not to push "outline" too far, as the picture gets all messed up. Usually, a look at the characters' eyes will tell you if you put it too far, as cel shading will make their eyes black.

Levels : leave default,
Outline : "normal-depth edge detection" + edge detection (1) + edge slope (1.600) + outline opacity (0.666)
Technicolor2 : Saturation (1.100 if using Voodoo, leave 1.000 otherwise), leave the rest to default,
UIMask : leave default,
SMAA : leave defaut.


Feel free to try others presets, or use another shaders for colors and AA.

As for me, I know I just COULDN'T play this game without celshading anymore.

Hope I could help, below is a little video of the game in motion.


Cheers !

This is really nice tutorial, if a little complex, but that's not you're fault.

Sorry to necro this thread but I've uploaded your preset to the Reshade database crediting you. You can find it here. Just let me know if you'd like it taken down or anything.

Preset looks awesome btw thanks!

Since you necroposted anyway it's probably a good time to mention that this thread is outdated and better options are available now

If anyone wants to try this, ignore the part about voodoo2 and move onto the part about reshade as shar now runs on direct9 and that method is a waste of time and efficiency

You will also want to lower the saturation settings for reasons explained in the tutorial.

this looks cool but it looks really odd to me but thats probably because i'm used to hit and runs design already

Hello. I want to share my own preset for Outline.fx since I think it looks smoother and with better edge detection. I'm using my laptop resolution (1366x768).

[Outline.fx]
BackgroundColor=0.000000,0.000000,0.000000
CustomBackground=0
EdgeDetectionAccuracy=1.800000
EdgeDetectionMode=0
EdgeSlope=1.000000
OutlineColor=0.000000,0.000000,0.000000
OutlineOpacity=0.300000

I use default for levels, smaa, technicolor2 and UIMask (uimask does not work for me. I guess I did something wrong, will check it later)

I installed reshade and i use Direct 3D 9, downloaded everything, started the game and the confirmation screen didn't apear.
I've tryed all the options and nothing happens, the game starts normal even I press the "home" key.
Sorry for my english I'm from spain and I'm learning yet.

@EtienneS : My guess is reshade is not correctly installed. Do you have "reshade.ini" and "reshadepreset.ini" in your "The Simpsons Hit & Run" folder, as well as a folder named "reshade-shaders" that contains the shaders you have downloaded?

it looks like rtx grapichs