Alicecocoz: Texture and Lighting Competition (TOMB RAID)

First topic message reminder :

After so many revisions, here's my final entry. This was achieved using Volumetric fog and lights only. No Sun and Sky used. Textureing was done with UV mapping and some with layered texturing. Dami kong natutunan sa pagsali dito hehe..salamat sa mga organizers tsaka sa mga cc's ng mga members.

MAYA 2008 + Mental Ray + Photoshop for color correction

Hires Here:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk91/Alicecocoz/FinalEntryColorCorrected2.jpg

Alicecocoz wrote:Heto na, pinagsama ko nalang yung first 2 na concepts ko and dahil na rin sa mga suggestions nio. Ewan ko kung tama lang yung noise sa scene o sobra. As stated semi final update palang, naghahanap pako ng skeleton model tsaka mas magandang model ng lalake, right now kasi parang kulang sa drama eh. Volumetric fog parin po with volume lights (One spot and area) c&c's are welcome as usual.

Render time almost 6 hrs (1280x1024 reso) on Core2duo 2.4 Ghz, sobrang tagal susuko na ata PC ko huhu.
Autodesk Maya 2008 + Mental Ray + Photoshop for color correction lang

The noise may be due to the quality of your indirect lighting solution. I say this because the noise only seems to occur in indirectly lit areas of the image an none on the areas that's hit direct by your key light. I haven't use MR in previous version other than in Max2009. I attempted using MR in Max6, but it was just so darn confusing. That was 3 years ago. I guess all the reading helped. But I have to say that MR now in Max2009 is a breeze to use...at least for my needs.

As for your 6 hours render time, ok na nga yon! sa akin took more than 7 hours only at 486x640. Although i was using 4/64 min/max AA. And you have a faster machine than the one I have...

MR kasi is designed to be tweaked in stages. This is the feeling I get when comparing it to Vray. So, if say, you're still tweaking your materials to get the right surface characteristics or still trying to see if a certain material would look good on your model, you should never use a high AA sampling and FG/GI settings (same goes with image resolution). One has to jump from DRAFT to MEDIUM to almost-PRODUCTION quality and back again to be able to make sensible decisions for the final image. Lastly, don't forget the optimization rollout. The difference between a 5-minute render and a 25-minute one (at same quality) is determined in this section of the renderer.

Now for the CC's:
-some edges are too sharp
-too much noise (unless if you're going for this effect)
-some textures don't have enough resolution for the final render image resolution that you are going for. They begin to blur.
-the grass plant could use some thickness
-is that a painting in the foreground? it's a bit too clean compared to the room...also the metallic post on that table (or coffin?) needs some rust

Your concept is great. Goodluck!

Frank wrote:
The noise may be due to the quality of your indirect lighting solution. I say this because the noise only seems to occur in indirectly lit areas of the image an none on the areas that's hit direct by your key light. I haven't use MR in previous version other than in Max2009. I attempted using MR in Max6, but it was just so darn confusing. That was 3 years ago. I guess all the reading helped. But I have to say that MR now in Max2009 is a breeze to use...at least for my needs.

As for your 6 hours render time, ok na nga yon! sa akin took more than 7 hours only at 486x640. Although i was using 4/64 min/max AA. And you have a faster machine than the one I have...

MR kasi is designed to be tweaked in stages. This is the feeling I get when comparing it to Vray. So, if say, you're still tweaking your materials to get the right surface characteristics or still trying to see if a certain material would look good on your model, you should never use a high AA sampling and FG/GI settings (same goes with image resolution). One has to jump from DRAFT to MEDIUM to almost-PRODUCTION quality and back again to be able to make sensible decisions for the final image. Lastly, don't forget the optimization rollout. The difference between a 5-minute render and a 25-minute one (at same quality) is determined in this section of the renderer.

First of all, tnx for taking the time in writing a rather long reply. Actually the noise comes from a container that surrounds the whole scene. It works by simulating dust particles to play with the lights once hit thus the effect. If you would notice, it's the opposite of what you mentioned that noise happens on indirectly lit areas, in fact noise is at most with areas closest to the light because this is how the volume shader on the container works. I am aiming a somewhat close result on this one and could reduce the fog's volume.

Thanks for your tweaking inputs as well .

Now for the CC's:
-some edges are too sharp
-too much noise (unless if you're going for this effect)
-some textures don't have enough resolution for the final render image resolution that you are going for. They begin to blur.
-the grass plant could use some thickness
-is that a painting in the foreground? it's a bit too clean compared to the room...also the metallic post on that table (or coffin?) needs some rust

Totally agree with the edges
Lesser noise will do
With the textures, I agree with you they are low res (10 24) I don;t have a texture library hehe. Just used what I could from the net mostly 640 reso.
I can change the grass if I find a better one.
Metallic post I guess are just right since they are stainless, so a little corrosion may be enough. Im not sure though with the painting in the foreground that you are referring to. Is it the coffin cover? Yup I still have to tweak the dirt layer on this one.

Again thank you very much, I appreciate the crits and goodluck as well to your entry

Oh mah gash, 7 hours? Ngayon ko lang nabasa...Tapos sobrang nababagalan na ko sa 15-minute rendering time ko. XD Hahahaha

oo nga tagal ng render, hehehehhe. iyong sa akin ORBS simulation, particles din, pero 15 minutes lang, pero anyway.. good luck sir hehehehhe

Oo nga tagal ng render ko. Ganito kasi talaga mag work yung parti volume shader, gamit ko kasi 3 lights na nageemit ng mga particles with the help of the parti volume shader. Naka todo kasi yung sampling ng shader kaya ganyan. To add hindi ko na optimize yung ibang mga materials and shaders, sobrang gulo ng hypershade ko. Hindi ko kasi inexpect na mag shift ako sa ganitong output..but it's fun just to join hehe..I'll try to maximize the scene para bumilis..gudluck sakin

Just posting my final entry.

Congrats! Your piece just became my favorite! Ang layo ng final image doon sa wips, talagang inimprove. Winner ka na sakin dude!

nice dude!

Maraming salamat mga dude. Mas matitinndi yung sa inyo!..gusto ko yung scatter ng lighting lalo na sa dummy model mo bro xboy.

nice concept but.. the light outside the window is very distracting.. madilim s loob ng room but s labas super liwanag.. dba kung gnun.. mrming ppsok n liwanag s room?

nice kakaiba,galing ng concept.