Basic WIP Lighting Setup..

Talbot · Jan 2009

Recently I've told not use GI renders when posting an update on a project. People have said that it does more bad than good. The lighting hides many details in the geometry of an object.

So if I shouldn't be using Global Illumination/Skylight, how should I be lighting my WIP renders? Note that I'm not asking for a basic scene lighting setup but instead a setup to use when I'm posting renders of a single object.

Thanks.

Pedro Amorim · Jan 2009

yeah.. dude.. most ppl will tell you not to render a GI because most n00bs dont know how to properly set up that shit and usually just end up using a skylight in max and activating light tracer.. turning those renders dificult to see the shape of the objects.

if you want to do that shit, go ahead but remember to add a omni light or whatever to the scene, and give your material some specular value so that when you render it it shows the shape.

but basically ppl tell you not to use that kinda of mumbo because is just a waste of time. the render time you waste would be better used to model some more.

capice?

Talbot · Jan 2009

Ok I understand.

If I don't do that what is another option?

alexk · Jan 2009

How about just take viewport screencaps instead? That way, you don't need to wait for any rendering, and is a more accurate, real time representation of your project. Or just dump it into a game engine, and you can light to your hearts desire in there.

Unless your project is animation or some fancy cinema stuff, then nevermind

Mark Dygert · Jan 2009

E-Light Dome works great for getting quick GI-ish lighting. Same rules apply that the-crazy-mexiCAN pointed out but the light dome renders much quicker. You can also use the light dome to do quick Ambient Occlusion renders also...

But really for most Works In Progress shots you don't need a fancy light set up.

For final renders you should read up on 3 point lighting.
http://boards.polycount.net/showthread.php?t=51209
http://www.mediacollege.com/lighting/three-point/simulator.html
http://www.3drender.com/light/3point.html
http://www.bobotheseal.com/tuts_vertex_bake01.htm

Talbot · Jan 2009

alexk wrote: »

How about just take viewport screencaps instead? That way, you don't need to wait for any rendering, and is a more accurate, real time representation of your project. Or just dump it into a game engine, and you can light to your hearts desire in there.

Unless your project is animation or some fancy cinema stuff, then nevermind

I usually do a screencap... but stuff like normal maps don't show up in the viewport.

alexk · Jan 2009

you can use the built in MetalBump dx9 shader material in 3d Max for a quick a dirty real time normal map, or use Ben's free normal map shaders http://www.bencloward.com/resources_shaders.shtml

Pedro Amorim · Jan 2009

Vig wrote: »

E-Light Dome works great for getting quick GI-ish lighting. Same rules apply that the-crazy-mexiCAN pointed out but the light dome renders much quicker. You can also use the light dome to do quick Ambient Occlusion renders also...

But really for most Works In Progress shots you don't need a fancy light set up.

For final renders you should read up on 3 point lighting.
http://boards.polycount.net/showthread.php?t=51209
http://www.mediacollege.com/lighting/three-point/simulator.html
http://www.3drender.com/light/3point.html
http://www.bobotheseal.com/tuts_vertex_bake01.htm

these days im more of a mexiCAN'T

Basic WIP Lighting Setup..

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