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Anyone been able to create a laser in iray?

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  • mjc1016mjc1016 Posts: 15,001
    Valandar said:
    L'Adair said:
    AnotherUserName said:
    Valandar said:

    The beam, itself, is pretty easy - though I prefer using crossed planes to a cyllinder, unless I have the "Bloom" filter enabled.

    What advantage is there to using crossed planes as opposed to cylinders? How many planes would you use?

    To answer this question, it's a matter of polygons and emissives. A cylinder will have more surface polygons, the more polygons, the harder Iray needs to work to get the effect. Using two single-poly planes at 90º angles to each other, (scaled maybe 10% on one axis and many time 100% on the long axis,)  cuts that down to just two polys. Start the "beam" at your spotlight, and end it just inside the model where the spot shows, and you should, maybe, get the best of both ideas...?

    Actually, it's the old-fashioned, Poser 4 way of doing things. Four polys, crossed into an asterisk shape, then transmapped with a bright white line down the center, and a fade through to black before it reaches the end. This gives a simulated "glowing beam" akin to move 'laser beams'. Add low level emissives, and it also gives light to the surroundings like such a "laser" would.

    That old technique still is quite useful...it makes wonderful low-poly candle flames that can bused as emitters....

    jcandle.png
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  • ValandarValandar Posts: 1,418
    SixDs said:

    Im curious to know whether a simulated beam such as those suggested using geometry would cast shadows in Iray?

    It entirely depends on if the emissision from the prop is emitting more light on the surface the shadow would be on than the other lighting in the scene. This means that, under normal circumstances, yes, it does. The only other option would be to simply add it in Photoshop.

    As a side note, look back at the lightsaber duels in the first Star Wars trilogy - the lightsabers casted shadows thanks to the prop blades they used.

    As for physics, consider that a 10 watt bulb in front of a 60 watt bulb would cast a shadow when both are turned on...

  • zaz777zaz777 Posts: 115
    AnotherUserName said:

    Yah... What im trying to emphasize is the dot thats created as opposed to the beam. Ive been able to make a flashlight but I dont know if its possible to concentrate the beam that much as to get something like im looking for.

    If possible, it might be more overhead than its worth...

    If you primarily want a dot, I wonder if a decal might work.  You could use a cutout map to make it a circle, set some emissive values and possible use the Point At feature to point the decal at the weapon, or a null parented to the muzzle of the weapon.

    I haven't tried it myself, but if I needed that effect, it'd be a method which I would consider.

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