Photorealistic Rendering – Blog
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.
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!
