BATs Currently in Progress

[ianpaschal 77]

These windows, SO GOOD or NO GOOD?

I say NO GOOD!! I'm having some mental ray issues. These are the windows without any lights other than the default ones in the rendering if you place none of your own:

The colors and darknesses look good on those to me.

Now here they are rendered with a mental ray sun & sky setup:

The colors and things look way too dark. How can I fix this?

Also, anyone know how to keep the mental ray renders from looking so washed out in terms of color?

[jayo 44]

I see what you mean-I have no idea But brilliant work

[SimFox 802]

I assume you use Logarithmic exposure (as manual suggests) with MrSun&Sky; right?? Or are you on MAX2008?

If first assumption is ca correct one then your problem stems from the fact that in such a workflow double gamma correction is applied to your textures. Ones you use are already have gamma of 1.8-2.2 just because they are digital images. When Logarithmic exposure pushes high dynamic range of MrSun&Sky render into low dynamic range that monitor is capable to display it again applys the gamma correction.

To fix this you need to de-gamma your textures.

You can find more expanded explanation with sort of mini-tutorial here:

SimFox's PixelTourture Chamber on SC4Devotion

If you use MAX2008 then switch to Mr Photographic Exposure - together with MR SkyPortal probably the best addition in new version!

[KingTitan 6]

Those all look exciting. I love Glenni's store front window's.. Very chicago-like.

[ianpaschal 77]

Originally posted by: SimFox I assume you use Logarithmic exposure (as manual suggests) with MrSun&Sky; right?? Or are you on MAX2008?

If first assumption is ca correct one then your problem stems from the fact that in such a workflow double gamma correction is applied to your textures. Ones you use are already have gamma of 1.8-2.2 just because they are digital images. When Logarithmic exposure pushes high dynamic range of MrSun&Sky render into low dynamic range that monitor is capable to display it again applys the gamma correction.

To fix this you need to de-gamma your textures.

You can find more expanded explanation with sort of mini-tutorial here:

SimFox's PixelTourture Chamber on SC4Devotion

If you use MAX2008 then switch to Mr Photographic Exposure - together with MR SkyPortal probably the best addition in new version!quote>

Christ, I'm starting to hate Mental Ray.  I remember once when I was getting started in 3D I tried messing with it and deemed it a piece of crap.  Now I'm beginning to think the same thing, just because it's such a huge waste of time to set up.

I tried your gamma correction thing, and I am happy to say, my brown bricks came back!:

Of course, there are still 2 problems:

1. The Windows are still too dark.  I can't figure out how to get them to the picture without lights.

2. I have those terrible looking lines on the render.  The white ones around the base, and black ones on other edges.  At first I just saw the white ones and thought, "Oh, my map is just too small."  Well I don't think it is, and also there are the same outlines, but in black, around things like the lampost.  All in all, it looks kind of crappy.

Then, to my horror, no matter whether I saved it in BMP or PNG, the file ended up like this:

I would love to get a render like this:

But I'm starting to think it's just a huge waste of time to set up.

[SimFox 802]

Something is massively wrong with your setup; I would say...

Mental Ray is an excellent rendering engine capable of delivering the whole range of styles from totally realistic to any persuasion of artistic ones.

Of Course as any tool you have to learn how to use it. In my experience it is not all that difficult. And although, like everywhere else in 3d, there more then one way to get your things done, it is quite logical and predictable.

AutoVino's render you showing here is done with Mental Ray, I believe ver 3,6 (one that ships with Max2008) major advantage in that one is new exposure control shader Mr Photographic Exposure that deals away with double gamma issue of Logarithmic Exposure. Still even that one is totally capable of producing top notch results.

Without seeing you scene I can not say for sure what's wrong with yours, but I imaging that there is something odd going one with lights and materials you use. Also given that you shadow side is virtually black I can speculate you haven't turned FG (Final Gather) on, hence you sky doesn't give any light into the scene.

All in all you should simply LEARN it and not complain of it being waste of time. It isn't, but your approach to it is. Max 9 comas with several tutorials dealing with MR and global illumination. Work they through and most of you worries will be gone. Also read the section devoted to Arch & Design materials. It will take an evening of your time, no more. But the benefit will be HUGE.

If you want you may send me your scene I can take a look at the lights and materials... (also include your rig scene...)

PS

here is an excellent and easy to follow step by step tutorial to setup you exterior scene with Mr Sun &Sky

http://evermotion.org/index.php?unfold_exclusive=141&unfold=exclusive

[ianpaschal 77]

Originally posted by: SimFox Something is massively wrong with your setup; I would say...

Mental Ray is an excellent rendering engine capable of delivering the whole range of styles from totally realistic to any persuasion of artistic ones.quote>

Of course, and for those who cannot afford V Ray such as myself, then Mental Ray is attractive alternative.

Originally posted by: SimFox

Of Course as any tool you have to learn how to use it. In my experience it is not all that difficult. And although, like everywhere else in 3d, there more then one way to get your things done, it is quite logical and predictable.quote>

Ah yes.  I guess I've just been one of those people who learns almost anything by tinkering with it, and running some experiments with control scenes and what not until I figure out what makes it tick.  I suppose there are some things though that are a bit to difficult to figure out and it can be helpful to talk to someone who knows.

Originally posted by: SimFox

Without seeing you scene I can not say for sure what's wrong with yours, but I imaging that there is something odd going one with lights and materials you use. Also given that you shadow side is virtually black I can speculate you haven't turned FG (Final Gather) on, hence you sky doesn't give any light into the scene.quote>

Well I hadn't been using arch materials but I'll be sure to use those (yes, I know how to use them. )

Originally posted by: SimFox

All in all you should simply LEARN it and not complain of it being waste of time. It isn't, but your approach to it is. Max 9 comas with several tutorials dealing with MR and global illumination. Work they through and most of you worries will be gone. Also read the section devoted to Arch & Design materials. It will take an evening of your time, no more. But the benefit will be HUGE.

If you want you may send me your scene I can take a look at the lights and materials... (also include your rig scene...)

PS

here is an excellent and easy to follow step by step tutorial to setup you exterior scene with Mr Sun &Sky

http://evermotion.org/index.php?unfold_exclusive=141&unfold=exclusivequote>

I am happy to learn it, but there is no doubt that it takes significantly more time to set up than my previous lighting setups and the results, so far, have not been very satisfactory.  I wasn't complaining about the time to learn it so much as just the time to do it.  Hopefully this will shorten up though.  Thanks for the tutorial.

[jayo 44]

Scipio:Just a random question-are you using the BAT or 3DsMax?

[toxicpiano 125]

I think it's quite obvious he is using max.

[ianpaschal 77]

Originally posted by: jayo Scipio:Just a random question-are you using the BAT or 3DsMax?quote>

3ds Max 2008

[BurroDiablo 222]

Quick render of a building i'm finishing up

[Glenni 1,444]

Boo ya!

[toxicpiano 125]

Good work gentlemen!

[autoVino 26]

  

here a couple of previews with gamma correction.  The first one might not be corrected though.  Let me check.

[patriots_1228 51]

too...good..........

glenni-yay!

[Yeah_Right 2]

Wow, nice work glenni!

Autovino: that is a very nice structure!

El Burro: nice grimy looking thing! It will look good in the Ghetto

[autoVino 26]

these should be better:

[BB62BlackDragon 13]

I uploaded the construction version of the wtc2(go download it if you haven't) and I plan to finish it! anyhow I got a pm from k********2003 tellimg to stop! I guess I should have claimed the building earlier

[patriots_1228 51]

k2003? I'm confused?

[BB62BlackDragon 13]

sorry patriot, I didn't want to write his name but I've read he's done the same stuff elsewhere. This is the name of the little kid: kellydale2003.

[Godzillaman 21]

Why would he tell you to stop?:\

[BurroDiablo 222]

Originally posted by: Godzillaman Why would he tell you to stop?:\quote>

I did a quick search, seems he's a strange person who trys to con others into thinking he's some kind of brilliant modder. I don't think you have to worry about people like him... isn't there a block function on PM's? I've never used it but maybe its a good time to

[ILL Tonkso 1,236]

Originally posted by: BB62BlackDragon sorry patriot, I didn't want to write his name but I've read he's done the same crap elsewhere. This is the name of the little prick kellydale2003.quote>

Whilst I do agree with you that he is in the wrong,could you please watch the language on the forums, thanks

[Jasoncw 11,840]

You can BAT whatever you'd like. Even if someone was actually already BATing it, you can still make your own.

But if/when someone is harassing you, send a PM to a moderator about it. Can you forward me the incident (though PM)?

[bixel 1,223]

The Merton, a 3 tower highrise residential - Kennedy Town Hong Kong.

[banks 0]

Originally posted by: BB62BlackDragon sorry patriot, I didn't want to write his name but I've read he's done the same stuff elsewhere. This is the name of the little kid: kellydale2003.quote>

 

oh him he messaged me asking me for pictures of the building

[Silur 3,304]

Hi, Steve ....

This is crazy beautiful object ( real 5 floor house from 1960-1975 of USSR - Russian name is "KHRUSHOVKA" - from Nikita Khrushov - Soviet leader 1954-1964 ) !!!

I think, Steve, You can give name "Khrushovka 01" for this object .... 

You're magician ....

Best Regards ....

[Sim shady 12]

all these teasers are making me drool! Glenni, Autovino, El Burro, Bixel, Scipio. Release your treasure!!!

BB62BlackDragon sorry to hear someone is harrassing you Just know that this guy does NOT in any way represent the views of the majority of Simptropolis members, whom i believe all support you very much

[ilikehotdogsalot 308]

Originally posted by: BB62BlackDragon sorry patriot, I didn't want to write his name but I've read he's done the same stuff elsewhere. This is the name of the little kid: kellydale2003.quote>

Ignore the idiot, we all do He/she/it faked avenue pictures saying that he/she/it made multi-laned avenues in sc4devotion [which even i can photoshop better, btw], says he/she/it has millions of dubai buildings ready to be uploaded, yet has not even a single picture. Surprised he/she/whatever hasn't been banned here yet. Trust me, Keep going with your project and report the bugger!

People like that need to save their drama for their momma

[patriots_1228 51]

save their drama for their momma?

o god hotdogs....