X5 Vs Thea...

[Chiefer]

Nice start!

To brighten a scene uncheck "Use camera view settings" and make the color medium gray. Lum: 200 to 150.

[Chad Cardin]

Thanks Jintu,

I will give that a try on my next raytrace!

[Chad Cardin]

Jintu,

I dont see a selection for lumination? First day, can you tell?

In fact, since youve been doing this for a long time, can you tell a lot of us on here who have never done the raytracing some of the differences and options on raytracing? For instance, is it better to use the raytrace wizard why or why not? As far as numbers go on settings, for sun, lights etc, can you give us an average number you might recommend on the different settings so we kind of know where to start? I understand there obviously will be differences for indoor or outdoor settings but if you just give an average number like you listed 200-150 it will help us stay within the range to get a decent raytrace.

This might seem mundane for those who are experienced with this but Im hoping it will help give those of us who dont have as much experience somewhere to begin.

[Chiefer]

Hi Chad,

Selection for Lum. is in image 1.

- Indoor and outdoor selection from Launch Wizard affects light settings in the Ray Trace Option dbox. EX: dark outdoor will give direct sunlight intensity of zero.

- It is better to go directly to the Edit menu of the Current Configuration than going to the Launch wizard because you will have full control of the settings.

- Turning on "enable environment light" makes a subtle difference but takes a little longer to render but not as long with photon mapping on and best of all no lights leaking.

See examples below:

Image 1: my preferred raytrace settings

image 2: sky env. turned on (7 - 10 mins),

image 3: sky env. turned off (2.5mins).


Hope this helps.

[HumbleChief]

Nice start!

To brighten a scene uncheck "Use camera view settings" and make the color medium gray. Lum: 200 to 150.

...or keep "Use Camera View Settings" checked and change the 3D 'ambient' camera setting in the 3D Defaults dbx.

[Chiefer]

...or keep "Use Camera View Settings" checked and change the 3D 'ambient' camera setting in the 3D Defaults dbx.

Thank you.

[HumbleChief]

Thank you.

Jintu, you got new machine? Looks really sweet. Are you happy with it?

[Chiefer]

Jintu, you got new machine? Looks really sweet. Are you happy with it?

Windows 7 is more organized. I'm happy.

[Chad Cardin]

Jintu,

Thanks for the easy to understand demonstration. I loved how you used the arrows to show exactly what you were talking about. This will be a good start for me in exploring this new part of chief! Thanks for the help!

[Chiefer]

You are welcome.

[kiwideziner]

This has been of immense help to me, am also just starting with RT's

[Chad Cardin]

Graeme,

Yes, the thing I like most about X5 is you dont have to wait 36 hours for the raytrace to find out that its all jacked up and you have to start all over again. I also like that you can adjust the settings while its working and see immediate results so you can change it before its complete.

Now I dont see raytracing with chiefs raytracer machine a waste of time because Im not spending days waiting for it to develop. I also like the fact that the image comes up immediately and then you can choose to wait longer for better quality or just hit save with the current image. Much improved!

[Chad Cardin]

Jintu,

Is there any recommendations for lighting? For example, if we are using can lights, I noticed there are several options for point, spot and parallel lights? I also remember in a video that Pat did, a while back, that she mentioned putting lighting features into light fixtures that arent lighting up from chief, like if you got them from a third party.

Can you explain some of these variations we might be dealing with?

[Chiefer]

Fastest lights to render are Spot Lights, they do not have soft shadows, it is also Chief's default. Try to use it for your tests. Make add lights spotlights too (cut off angle = 175 to 180).

Parallel light in interiors is not advisable, it barely emits light, use it for exteriors only. or not use it at all.

You are right about Pat's video, Re: lighting features > light fixtures.

[Chad Cardin]

Jintu,

My issue with the lights now are the ceiling, even with lights on, you cant even see the cans and the ceiling is darker. Whats this about?