Reality render that needs to be better.
Three Wishes
Posts: 471
I almost posted this under Nuts and Bolts, but Reality isn't technically a DAZ product. Heck, I almost posted it under the New Users' Help forum, because I'm such a noob at Reality.
So, here's a render I threw together and let cook for about 2 hours (about 300 s/p).
It has a single Sun light, and the only textures which have been tweaked beyond Reality 4's automagic are the fence metals. I know, they're way too blown out. But I know how to fix those.
What I don't know how to tweak next is the character's skin. It looks pretty good, if maybe a little too glossy, which I guess I could live with if the scene was meant to be of a sweltering summer day.
Overall, though, the skin result (Lee 6) is nowhere near the league of some of the Reality renders in the Gallery. And I'm just not sure what to try next.
I'm actually reading through the manual (which is unusual for me), but I'm only part-way through. If anybody with an actual eye for this kind of thing would like to jump in and contribute to my education, i'd be grateful for the criticism.
Thanks!
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Comments
Since no one else has replied, I will take a stab...
First, don't use the Sun. In my experience, Sun lit renders have never impressed me. It could just be that I am not skilled enough to use it, but the only sun renders I have been happy with were ones where I used a diffuser to soften the light a bit.
Try adding a couple of mesh lights instead. Maybe one large mesh light in approximately the spot that you would like the sun to shine from. Another from an alternate angle to provide a bit of fill light.
I would also add an IBL light, but not for the reason you would think.
While the render is rendering, I would play with the light tones and intensities. I would turn off the IBL and then experiment with each of the mesh lights individually. Try a slightly off white color, maybe a little yellow or blue to it. Just a tad, a little goes a long way.
When you are happy with the progress, I would export three images from Luxrender. Each light isolated to a single image.
Take the three images into a photo editor with layer capable. Layer the images with the IBL as the bottom image.
I would then work with the layer properties, deciding how much of each image you want to use. The IBL image would provide the "fill" light and will probably be pretty low on the intensity level. Personally for outdoor images, I just barely let the IBL show. Just to give the darker shadows a little bit of definition.
If you got bored of all of this and skipped all the way to the end... I would sum up saying lighting is your issue. Try multiple light sources and try to minimize the use of the "Sun" light.
I don't know if this was the only advice I needed, but it turned out to be essential. I've started fiddling with IBLs and alternate lighting and I'm seeing a dramatic difference.
Thanks!
I have finally given up on reality 4 and LuxRender. My system has crashed two many times; it's just a hassle, to keep getting my system back in order. I'd Rather just use Daz Studio alone!
That is to bad. Been using reality and Luxrender for years without any major problems. Try the reality forums at RDNA.
To the OP, lighting AND how your surfaces are set up to react to the lighting you choose is important.
That is to bad. Been using reality and Luxrender for years without any major problems. Try the reality forums at RDNA.
To the OP, lighting AND how your surfaces are set up to react to the lighting you choose is important.
That's true. But you probably don't want to overwhelm anyone with those details yet. :)
Thanks for the advice but I am thru with Reality 4 and LuxRender, I just don't need the head aches anymore; never in my life have I used a program with so many issues; these are problem programs. I am just sick of it!
Sorry to hear, but a majority of users don't have issues, so you might want to also check your system. I only mention it as I don't want a first time user to see your post and think it's a problematic program and not give it a chance since I can't imagine not using it.
There are hundreds if not thousands of people using Reality daily and have never had a problem using Reality or DAZ Studio. Is there a learning curve, sure there is, but the results are worth it.