7 replies to this topic

[random]

I recently acquired 3D Studio Max 8 and I've been following tutorials for it... but the outcome of most of my renders are horrible, some of the reflections don't "make sense." I'd like to know some really good free and/or premium render programs you use.

If someone could explain to me how to use HDRI images for reflections in my render I'd appreciate the help. Can HDRI's only be used if you use a certain renderer?

Thanks for the help.

PS. I'm getting to know my way around 3DSM very well only after a couple days .

[lostseed]

I havent used HDRI's yet.
But here is a tip to make things look pretty interesting.

Create > Lights > SkyLight - Place anywhere

Go to to taskbar, Rendering > Advanced Lighting > LightTracer - In the drop down box make light tracer active, and click the checkbox next to it.

Do a render and the quality is a lot greater.
It will take longer.

[random]

I used LightTracer in some of my renders but it still ended up coming out really bad. I also tried with it disabled and still the same thing. So, its probably my render program, right? I also used MentalRay and still the quality was the same.

[lostseed]

http://www.aversis.b...s/vray_hdri.htm

VRay is one of the best renders, or most popular as far as I know.
It has a ba-jillion settings, but that tutorial may spice up your life

[random]

I just got V-Ray. I'm following the tutorial you gave me, but my render doesn't seem to come out with materials, just colors and shapes.

(I'd hate to have to make a 1280 x 800px wallpaper with lots of reflections, it takes 5 minutes for something small, lol.)

Edited by random, 02 October 2006 - 03:53 PM.

[caboose]

the default renderer that comes with max is good enough i would say (not mentalray) and im sure that HDRI can be rendered in any renderer. I use HDRI quite a bit there are plenty of tutorials out there for it, and like lostseed said the skylight with lighttraser gives absolutely brilliant results. but do this to

when you make the new skylight select "cast shadow"

under LightTracer option change the "Rays / Samples" from 250 to 500-1000

under the render toolbar under "filter" select "Catmull-Rom"

2 other options you can try are make a plane change the "scale" under its properties to 100 and apply a good material to it, one other that gives better results with certain materials is the "Enable global super-sampling" which can be found under the render toolbar o if you do activate supersampling select "hammersley" will take some time to render though

hope this helps

[random]

Thanks for the help. I'll try some of the tips you gave, I also got the 3DSM 8 Bible, haven't got to it yet but can't wait to start reading it.

[caboose]

One thing you must remember with max is never give up, some times you will feel like throwing your computer outta the window but just keep cool and try different things