Looking for any feedback on the lighting/materials on my current project based of a bridge in Cambridge. Or anything else you think I could do to improve! Thank you.
Lighting is inconsistent, looks fake. The top towers or whatever they're called have a dark side away from the main lightsource but the bridge and building on the right side have a secondary light (probably a point light to fake some ambient/bounce light). Fake lights are great but dont overdo it. Try to keep it consistent. The textures are pretty repetitive, try using some decals or blend more textures on the same surfaces (vertex blend, macro textures or unique masks, whatever).
hmm seems a bit flat imo? Maybe the FoV is too narrow, feels like there could be more perspective. The scene could benefit from reflected light from the water, especially under the bridge. The transition from water to brick could be darker with moss and grime. The water in general looks a bit grainy, and the bridge texture could be higher res, looking closer the gaps/grout are just straight lines, not sure if one of your screenshots are actually of the LoD
Lighting is inconsistent, looks fake. The top towers or whatever they're called have a dark side away from the main lightsource but the bridge and building on the right side have a secondary light (probably a point light to fake some ambient/bounce light). Fake lights are great but dont overdo it. Try to keep it consistent. The textures are pretty repetitive, try using some decals or blend more textures on the same surfaces (vertex blend, macro textures or unique masks, whatever).
Ok thank you! I do indeed have a secondary light pointing towards to bridge at the moment to try make it stand out more as a focal point but I will tone it down a little to improve that.
I am currently using vertex painting and RGBA masks with a few decals on top but I will have another pass on it to increase the difference between some of my textures.
Personally I like the lighting- it does feel a tiny bit stylized, but I definitely wouldn't say inconsistent.
For me the only thing that really pulls me out of it is the swan and ducks, which look very balloony and low detail. But otherwise, I quite like it.
Some details in the rest of the scene feel a little muddy / blurry, but it all depends what you're going for, and what the budget is.
I am trying to go for a realistic look so it looking stylized is not my aim I will try find some more reference and improve on that.
The swans and ducks (and pigeons) I found online and I agree I think they should probably be removed.
I am really just trying to make it look as good/realistic as possible so think I will have another pass on my textures to try get rid of any blurry ones.
hmm seems a bit flat imo? Maybe the FoV is too narrow, feels like there could be more perspective. The scene could benefit from reflected light from the water, especially under the bridge. The transition from water to brick could be darker with moss and grime. The water in general looks a bit grainy, and the bridge texture could be higher res, looking closer the gaps/grout are just straight lines, not sure if one of your screenshots are actually of the LoD
I have this second camera set up with a different fov that I think looks a bit nicer at the moment. I will also add some reflected light onto the underside of the bridge, currently im using a point light to add some "light" there.
My texturing seems to be the main issue at the moment so I wll have another pass on those.
Since this a speciofic real-world location, I would suggest searching for photos of the location, at the same time of day, sunset. Try to adjust your camera angle and lighting to match one of the photos. Then you can more easily judge what might be lacking. This is a great way to help you judge your work, since you have a 1:1 reference to compare against, and to give you an inspiration to work towards. Once you've matched it as close as you can, then you will have a solid base, and you can start to branch out and stylize.
Since this a speciofic real-world location, I would suggest searching for photos of the location, at the same time of day, sunset. Try to adjust your camera angle and lighting to match one of the photos. Then you can more easily judge what might be lacking. This is a great way to help you judge your work, since you have a 1:1 reference to compare against, and to give you an inspiration to work towards. Once you've matched it as close as you can, then you will have a solid base, and you can start to branch out and stylize.
Thank you very much! I will have a go at that today!
Better, but the sky doesnt match the time of day that the sun conveys. Also the fake fill light has shadows which look kinda weird, might want to disable that
Better, but the sky doesnt match the time of day that the sun conveys. Also the fake fill light has shadows which look kinda weird, might want to disable that
Thank you! Yeah I think the hdri im using needs changing to at least have some clouds with an orange glow inside, also I am not using a fill light so I have no idea where they are coming from.
Replies
The top towers or whatever they're called have a dark side away from the main lightsource but the bridge and building on the right side have a secondary light (probably a point light to fake some ambient/bounce light).
Fake lights are great but dont overdo it. Try to keep it consistent.
The textures are pretty repetitive, try using some decals or blend more textures on the same surfaces (vertex blend, macro textures or unique masks, whatever).
For me the only thing that really pulls me out of it is the swan and ducks, which look very balloony and low detail. But otherwise, I quite like it.
Some details in the rest of the scene feel a little muddy / blurry, but it all depends what you're going for, and what the budget is.
Current Update.
Since this a speciofic real-world location, I would suggest searching for photos of the location, at the same time of day, sunset. Try to adjust your camera angle and lighting to match one of the photos. Then you can more easily judge what might be lacking. This is a great way to help you judge your work, since you have a 1:1 reference to compare against, and to give you an inspiration to work towards. Once you've matched it as close as you can, then you will have a solid base, and you can start to branch out and stylize.
Another Update!
Also the fake fill light has shadows which look kinda weird, might want to disable that
Thank you! Yeah I think the hdri im using needs changing to at least have some clouds with an orange glow inside, also I am not using a fill light so I have no idea where they are coming from.