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Iray environnments question

IceDragonArtIceDragonArt Posts: 12,759
in The Commons

Can someone please explain to me in very simple terms what each of these settings is used for?  I know the answers are scattered around but I can't find a simple easy explanation. (I'm compiling notes and don't mind searching for the info but my brain is about to explode with an overload that Iray thread is really long!.) What kind of render is each best for? indoors, outdoors etc?  I am so confused. I think I understand and try to apply it and end up with a black screen.  Or some other weird thing.  I'm to the point where I just leave it at the default even though I know I could do so much more if knew what each one is for.  You would think it would be self evident but, apparently not.  At least not to me.

Dome and Scene

Dome Only

Sun-Sky Only

Scene Only

Also the Dome Modes - whats the difference between a infinite sphere with ground and a finite sphere with ground and what is the difference in a render if  I use a finite sphere or a finite box with ground?

Comments

  • nemesis10nemesis10 Posts: 3,790

    If I recall:
    dome and scene gives you the visualized sky and ground as well as the the ambient light that the HDRI background provides (you can light a whole scene this way)
    dome only is just the sky, no light,
    sun-sky only, is just the light,
    scene only skips sky and light.

    Infinite sphere is the scene where the sky is distant (there are a few products that have skies and some terrain for example or sky and ocean that use this)
    finite sphere is used when you want to adjust the height and other attributes of the sky.
     

  • KarenKaren Posts: 102

    I feel exactly the same about Iray. I am so confused :-(

    I found that Dome and Scene works best - Dome gives Ambient and Scene additional light. Heard that infinite spere is better for render speed. But all the other setting? No clue.

    SickleYield has got some really good articles at deviantart, that helped me to start ... but a really detailed (but simple for dummies like me) tutorial would be great.

  • Richard HaseltineRichard Haseltine Posts: 108,072

    Pretty much  -just adding/hopefully clarifying a bit:

    • Dome and scene uses the HDRI and any lights/emissive surfaces in your scene
    • Dome only just uses the HDRI for lighting, and light objects are ignored.
    • Scene only just uses the lights placed in the scene, not Doem or Sun/Sky contribution.
    • Sun/Sky uses no HDRI but simulates the light of day only (no night) at the specified time and location. (The Sun/Sky set-up is also available through the Dome with no HDRI map assigned.)
  • nemesis10nemesis10 Posts: 3,790

    http://docs.daz3d.com/doku.php/public/software/dazstudio/4/referenceguide/interface/panes/render_settings/engine/nvidia_iray/environment/start

     

    A summary!

  • WonderlandWonderland Posts: 7,133

    I tried the sun/sky alone and loved the results for an outdoor scene. Is there any way to simulate a moon/sky effect?

  • IceDragonArtIceDragonArt Posts: 12,759

    Oh my gosh thank you!  That makes a bit more sense.  Will be copying this to the notebook labelled iray lol. I seriously had to start taking notes because I read something, think I understand it, get in the program and whatever I thought was wrong, and then I can't find where I read about it two days ago.  Off to check the summary as well.

  • mjc1016mjc1016 Posts: 15,001

    Finite is also very useful for interior HDR images...you can 'scale' it so it's closer to actual 'room' size.

  • Oso3DOso3D Posts: 15,085

    Finite is handy to getting HDRI with ground planes working right. Often the scaling has to be adjusted juuuuust right or the ground looks weirdly wrong.

     

  • IceDragonArtIceDragonArt Posts: 12,759

    Thank you!

  • fastbike1fastbike1 Posts: 4,078
    edited April 2016

    [Edited for additional clarity]

    Here's my "new" experimental recipe. Still tweaking but I'm pretty happy. This uses a HDRI rather than sun-sky

    1. Pick your HDRI map. Make sure Draw Dome and Draw Ground are ON.

    2. Set Environment Map value low enough to get the HDRI map as dark as you want.

    3. Set the Tone Mapping white point to 255, 212, 212 (season to taste smiley). You want the white point "opposite" the blue white color of moonlight and shadows.

    4. Use a spotlight w/ color temp 10000K to compensate for lower HDR intensity. The 10000K gives a blue white light. The lumen value may need to be quite high (~1000000). Again, season to taste.

    5. Use a distant light for shadow casting. Set the Environment > Gorund Shadow Intensity to something like 0.5.

    This is meant to simulate a full / thrre quarter moon setting. Here's an example.

    Wonderland said:

    I tried the sun/sky alone and loved the results for an outdoor scene. Is there any way to simulate a moon/sky effect?

     

    Izabella 7. Forest B 1.0 env map. Moonlight Dance.png
    934 x 903 - 1M
    Post edited by fastbike1 on
  • KarenKaren Posts: 102

    Oh ha, that looks great :-) Cold silver moonlight. Thanks for sharing your settings.

  • thomasbrandy2875019177thomasbrandy2875019177 Posts: 61

    It's for Substance Painter but expalin very nice the basics about Iray.

  • IceDragonArtIceDragonArt Posts: 12,759

    Yes thank you! 

     

  • FishtalesFishtales Posts: 6,212

    I put this document together on the Environment and how I use it. There is probably a lot more that I have missed but I hope it helps a little.

    It won't attach so try downloading it from here. It is a Word document in .rtf format.

    Environment Tutorial

  • IceDragonArtIceDragonArt Posts: 12,759
    Fishtales said:

    I put this document together on the Environment and how I use it. There is probably a lot more that I have missed but I hope it helps a little.

    It won't attach so try downloading it from here. It is a Word document in .rtf format.

    Environment Tutorial

    Thank you!

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