Keeping MR Sun with a custom background image *PHOTOS*

WhiteNorthStar

I'm using Mental Ray with 3DS Max, and trying to get some sunlight rays.

The sun and rays works fine, until in my Material Editor's instance of the Environment/Background/Environment Map/MR Physical Sky, when I use a "Use Custom Background Map", i.e. my background photo, the MR Sun and the sunrays disappear. :poly142:

How can I combine using a Custom Background Map in the Mr Physical Sky Environment Map, and yet keep the MR Sun disk and sunrays?

I'd like to have a combination of the two attached images, my background image and MR sun disk and rays.

Thanks! :thumbup:

JohnnyRaptor

you could just add them in post.

WhiteNorthStar

Thank you, but I'm hoping to avoid post, does anyone have any other suggestions?

joeriv

you need a "environment/background switcher" map. (it's listed under the mental ray maps)
That way you can have both, altough I'm not sure about the sun rays, maybe try it out and see if it still does that.

http://docs.autodesk.com/3DSMAX/15/ENU/3ds-Max-Help/index.html?url=files/GUID-E2F302D9-4BA0-40E9-844B-96429994C452.htm,topicNumber=d30e409703

ZacD

I'd actually suggest learning how to use render passes, it speeds up your workflow by allowing you to tweak more things without having to rerender and image.

r_fletch_r

ZacD wrote: »

I'd actually suggest learning how to use render passes, it speeds up your workflow by allowing you to tweak more things without having to rerender and image.

Yep. Post is your best friend. something that takes a few seconds in post can add hours to a render.

WhiteNorthStar

Thanks for the help, ladies and gents... I'm getting to grips with render passes/ in 3DS Max and compositing in After Effects right now.

JoerIV, thanks you I also tried with "environment/background switcher" map which is useful too, but it isn't quite giving me the results I'm hoping for.