Photorealistic Rendering – Blog
Project 4 – Storytelling Through Lighting
Week 9 – Class 17 & 18
WIP Render:
I added in a bump map to the floor, which helps a lot and I will continue adding textures and imperfections to the scene. I also made the light coming from the back much cooler than before. I added depth of field in render, however, for the next render I would like to use z-depth in nuke to have some more control over it in post. I also plan to render out the different lights as separate layers for that reason too!
WIP Render:
Renderer: Arnold
Render Time: 13:36 minutes
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Number Of Lights: 3 (1 Spotlight, 2 Area Lights)
Samples:
- Camera (AA) – 4
- Diffuse – 4
- Specular – 3
- SSS – 3
- Transmission – 4
Test render and camera move:
By next class, I will have the final models in for all of the jars.
Some more lighting tests from this weekend. I combined the 2 I had before. I also added a vignette in post to put more emphasis on the area within flashlight. These were rendered in Maya Arnold and I will be bringing it into Houdini Arnold. Currently, the render settings are a little low and I still need to update some of the models. For the glass on the floor, I plan to use RBD for layout and simulate the glass breaking for that.
Professor Gaynor suggested that I find photograph reference of labs and flashlight lighting references to create a more realistic scene. These are a few that I found helpful:
Week 8- Class 15 & 16
Project Description: Using concepts in illustration you will “tell a story” (or multiple stories) through the creation of a fictional space, the objects in it and the lighting that helps to emphasize the story. The story must be represented by all elements in the scene. Environment must be based in reality, strive for photorealism, and use reference from the real world. Emphasis is on originality.
Project Idea: I am continuing my previous idea of a scientist’s lab to a larger environment.
Story: A group of curious friends find themselves in a lab full of fantastical creatures.
3D Layout and Lighting Tests:
The images above are two of the lighting tests I liked the most. I feel that the one on the right makes the viewer feel as if they are holding the flashlight. I think I’d like to keep experimenting and maybe try a combination of both!
Project 3 – Fantastical Plants
Week 7 – Class 13
Final Render:
Renderer: Arnold
Average Render Time Per Frame: 30 – 40 minutes
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Number Of Lights: 3 (1 HDRI, 2 Area Lights)
Samples:
- Camera (AA) – 5
- Diffuse – 5
- Specular – 3
- SSS – 3
- Transmission – 4
Full Breakdown:
After some feedback from classmates, I returned to my original composition, which is stronger, and combined it with my newer ideas. Although my ideas changed throughout the project, I was still able to reuse most of the same shaders each time. Over the weekend, I worked on finalizing the models, finishing up texturing, which I did using Substance Painter, and rendering. Whenever I go back to this project, some of the things I would love to improve on are the lighting and textures throughout the scene. I also plan to go back and re-render the camera move because of some render issues, like a flickering texture.
Some new references that I was using while working on the final lighting and texturing:
Week 6 – Class 11 & 12
Over the weekend, I didn’t like the direction my project was going in, so I adjusted a few things. I’m keeping the main setting of a futuristic lab. Previously, the main inspiration of the this project was the Green Fluorescent Protein experiment, and the roots of the flower were based on the box jellyfish, but now I am changing to the Giant Pacific Octopus which is significantly larger in scale and leans more into the sci-fi theme. In addition, I changed the flower to the Rafflesia arnoldi, which is one of the largest individual flowers in the world and is also referred to as the “corpse flower” and sometimes the “monster flower”. I am happier with this decision because this flower is visually more unique than the original plant I chose and is a better fit for the idea.
Corpse Flower:
Giant Pacific Octopus
Here are some test renders of my original idea from earlier in the weekend:
Week 5 – Class 10
Over the last two days, I wanted to play around with making my scene a little more sci-fi, so I tested out a few more compositions. So far, the first one is the one I’m leaning towards the most.
I’m continuing to gather/create models as well as shaders.
Week 5 – Class 9
Over the weekend, I spent time doing research and properly developed my idea for this project.
Last week, I ended with many different ideas that were much broader. After talking to one of my friends Leah, who is a concept artist, I was inspired by the use of the Green Fluorescent Protein from crystal jellyfish in other plants and animals to make them glow. This helped me narrow down my idea to be set inside a scientist’s lab.
I was also inspired by the idea of Jurassic Park and wanted to make this an experiment on reviving extinct species. For the flower, I came across the craterostigma plantagineum, which is also known as a resurrection plant because it can stay alive while dehydrated.
For the roots, I was inspired by the image above to look into hydroponic plants and decided to make it based on the tentacles of a Box Jellyfish, one of the most poisonous types. I also liked this because it reminded me of the roots of the resurrection plant I chose!
Another plant I played with for the lab idea was a vine growing through the glass jar uncontrollably, similar to the invasive plant kudzu.
Here is some layout in 3d that I started with some placeholder models. I still need to play with the lighting a little more and for the final look, I would like the flower to also be glowing a little bit. I’m still deciding whether to make the jellyfish more green or blue.
For Class 10, I’d like to have a finalized composition and most shaders completed.
Week 4 – Class 7
This week, I am beginning Project 3, Fantastical Plants. I spent this past week searching for references and inspiration. I first started searching for broader inspirations and put those together. From here, I am continuing to narrow them down for a more specific idea.
So far, something I am leaning towards is a night setting, and I would love to find a way to incorporate FX! By the end of this week, I plan to finalize my references and begin gathering assets.
Below is my starting references, which I plan to narrow down!
Project 2 – Look Development
Week 3
This week, I continued refining my materials for the final quilt and still renders. Here is my final video and breakdown!
Week 3
This week, we focused on material attributes such as subsurface scattering and transmission! Below is some of my work in progress on some new materials. I played with different lighting setups to see how the material interacts with the light when subsurface scattering is involved.
To achieve subsurface in vray, I experimented with two different shaders, VrayFastSSS2 (Left) and Vray AI Surface Shader (Right). For both materials, it took a lot of experimenting to understand the best way to get the results I wanted. For the wax material, I was seeing artifacts on the render, which I later learned could be fixed under vray light attributes with shadow bias.
Week 2
This week, we began Project 2 – Look Development.
Project Objective: To create a Look Development Lighting Rig for use in materials tests. The Lighting Rig with simple spheres will demonstrate the accuracy of all shaders.
I was introduced to vray and got to try it out for the first time! I’m already amazed with the results and speed! I’m excited to learn more about it with this project! Here is my work in progress with some of the materials (copper and gold). I’ve also included my references.
Project 1 – Photography
Week 1
Project Objective: The goal of this project is to become familiar with terminology as it relates to photography. Through taking a series of photographs, the students will plan shots and shoot them while paying attention to camera angles, composition, exposure, white balance, and depth of field. This will show a solid understanding of how an image from a camera should look and lay the foundation for the rest of this course.
This week, the focus was on photography! In class and throughout this first project, I got the chance to learn more about cameras through a series of photography exercises. I think this project was a great way to start off a class about photorealism, and I will be able to use everything I learned to create better renders!
Here are some of my favorite photos from this weekend as well as a slide show including camera settings:
Week 8- Class 14 & 15