Novica & Forum Members Tips & Product Reviews Pt 12
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@Fishtales
I really liked the renders. The discussion in the PC+ thread has had me thinking about pulling out the Dream House set and doing a shader update piece by piece and treat it as if I was modernizing a real home from the 1980s to the 21st Century.
@Novica
I have Adria and since I used Smart Content and rarely look at the non-human part of a character, I never ran into your issues. Otherwise I would have put a big red note in my character chart in Google to alert me to her, after sending in a ticket. One ticket I sent in for a morph package that had no way to 'dial-out' the morph and move to the next character morph was in for almost five or six months when Daz came back and said that is how it was and would stay. When it takes almost 5 - 7 minutes for me to load a G8F, that is an impact. So now, I am cautious buying that PA's products. I go into the Read Me and check the file listing to make sure of what is included now.
I am being converted to using Content Library for Shader Sets though. It seems many of the sets get messed up in Smart Content, while in Content Library they are sorted out how the PA planned them.
Mary
@memcneil70 That's just disappointing, and yep, next time that vendor comes up, I'll pass.
OT: Here's a neat map by John Hopkins that shows up to the minute coronavirus infections. I'm headed offline, so will be back online later this afternoon.
It still drops to CPU on occasions but seems do render faster than the old Laptop.
I had a try at making the mage look 'natural'.
I tried a Distant Light behind the camera, there is no wall there, but that was too harsh and caused wrong shadows in ares they shouldn't be.
I then set the Tone Mapping to get more light in the interior. but, as you can see, that blew out the whites. Even after changing Environment and Tone Mapping it was the same.
Click on image for full size.
I then thought to make the ceiling Emissive and then noticed that there was a ceiling light so I used that instead.. It now looks 'natural' but not Iray 'natural'
Click on image for full size.
Yes, the image looks more natural to the eyes now.
One thing that still looks a bit off to the eyes is the lighting outsite.
For such a strong light inside, I would expect a stronger light outside. Somewhere in between the outside from first render and second render.
Sometimes it's sad Iray can't replicate natural lighting more.
If you have the time, I would suggest one more render with a light for the outside somewhere in between the 2 renders and than combining the outside from one render and the inside from the other in photoshop and seeing how they look.
If you know how to just do it in Photoshop, I think you can also just increase the exposure for the outside area but I wouldn't know how to do that.
I don't mess around in Photoshop...much...but I prefer to try and get it close in Iray rather than faf about with them elsewhere. The first images, to me as a photographer, are more natural than the second lot which are more Cinematic, and manipulated ones aren't natural either even although, to some, they may look that way.
By the way, the light outside hasn't changed between the first images and the last image.
I know that the light outside hasn't changed on the outside but it did on the inside. In the last photo, while, at least to me, the light seems more realistic, it is now brighter than the outside light (since it has the outside and the inside both iluminating it. This is why it appears unnatural. The light from the outside could never be brighter than the outside light itself.
I admit I don't do a lot of photography so I am unsure of how an interior scene would look like on a camera but to a naked eye, a room lit by four doors like that would not be as dark as the first image.
I have actually never been in a room with any kind of windows when it's sun outside and felt the room to be as dark as it looks in that image.
It might have to do some also with how the human eye adapts to darkness but I also think it has some to do with how Iray treats light spilling/reflecting from a surface.
If you put a mirror to reflect the light from the outside in Daz, it will reflect a lot less than what a mirror reflects in real life. I feel like some of that effect happens with any kind of surface and that is why, while what is lighted directly through windows is bright, anything else is pretty dark, as the surface that is directly lighted doesn't accurately reflect that light further to light the rest of the room.
Anyways, as I said before, I'm no expert either in Daz or photography, I'm just giving my 2 cents about what I observe in real life and what I observe is happening with renders.
Unfortunately there is a lot of Physics that is going on with any light and its interaction with surfaces. You have Absorption, Reflection and Transmission which I am sure is behind the calculations that Iray does to create the render which I assume is based on a camera and not the human eye and brain. The human eye and brain is much more complex than a camera or the calculations made in Iray so everything is a compromise.
https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/light/Lesson-2/Light-Absorption,-Reflection,-and-Transmission
So, I did a render with friends of the Teddy Bear from https://www.daz3d.com/fe-decoration-background-vol-1 clustered around https://www.daz3d.com/sue-character-and-hair-for-genesis-8-female. The pose is from https://www.daz3d.com/advanced-seated-poses-for-genesis-8-female. The backdrop, floor and carpet are from the set and I left them in so you could see the floor and carpet. In the future, I would use a plane primitive and shaders and some of the other carpet props I have purchased already. The toys are cool. The collapsed heart, crushed in the hand comes that way and is easy to position. Floor covering aside, I think the product was a great buy.
Mary
I'm going to take this opportunity to discuss what could be a sensitive matter, but I feel it's important. I know some of you will disagree with me, some will agree. Please be patient and understand this relates to my vision about MY threads. It hasn't been discussed in quite awhile, and new members to the forums wouldn't have insight as to the particulars of my 12 threads, and it also doesn't hurt for "food for thought" about the forums in general. (Weigh in, your thoughts?)
All my threads, starting seven years ago, are family friendly, and comments on renders are complimentary in nature. That makes it a safe haven for others to help showcase the products. Evaluation and unsolicited advice by other artists is sometimes done in other threads, with mixed reception- there's been posts throughout the years about it, and there's just too many artists who don't appreciate unsolicited advice, for me personally to do it (unless I slip up, but I try to be careful), or have it on my threads. There's a difference in commenting about the issues with a product, vs perceived issues with someone else's art.
Artists have their own vision and many come to the forums for support on what they've done right in their journey to explore what's possible. Some like suggestions, some see it as criticism and some- it can dampen their enthusiasm. For that reason, years ago when I opened my threads for everyone to help feature products and share their renders, it was made clear my threads are a "safe haven" for people to post their renders and we are focusing on the products, with the products well represented in the renders. My contributors are wonderful!
Artists on other threads will ask for input when they want it, my personal rule of thumb is comment on what I really like about the render and comment only IF someone asks for what can be improved. Because this thread focuses on the products, we primarily discuss what we like and don't like, what issues we may be having, ask for help, etc- and I want that to remain the focus. There's a reason that is the thread title.
Again, to be clear- newer forum users (surfing various threads) wouldn't know the culture of this thread, and I hope no offense is taken. As many of you know, these threads are my babies (with the benefit of not having to change diapers, thank goodness!) and I value everyone's participation. I feel the best way to do that is how I've done it for six, going on seven years. Let's chat about the products, give tips, ask for help when needed or if you're just curious about something- but no render critiques, even when obviously they are meant to be insightful / helpful. Although I'm not changing my mind for this thread, please feel free to weigh in on doing this sort of thing in other threads. Do you want critiques without asking for them? Do you give them without being asked? etc. (And remember, don't judge people's viewpoints they have a right to feel however they do about the issue. Some of you probably feel I'm wrong about this, I appreciate that too.)
In particular, I do wish to compliment alex86fire for the diplomacy in the comments, the approach was very pleasant and obviously meant to share a different perspective. I know you from other threads and you have a very positive attitude and are helpful to others. And thank you Fishtales for your willingness to explore the comments; you two set the example for how to exchange ideas in a constructive manner. I hope I haven't excessively annoyed either of you, I'm doing my best here to explain what I'm trying to continue to do with these threads.
Thank you, @Novica. One of the things I love about this thread is the safe environment feel.
Ditto
I really hate threads that are or become combative and rude I had enough of that in the service
That render is so cute! The textures on that bear really pop. My first thought when I saw the product was how useful it would be for a children's bedroom scene. I didn't realize the crushed heart came that way, good to know. I'm all for easy!
If you like Aave Nainen's dresses, this is in the Freebies for Genesis 2.
Thanks for posting. I didn't realize there were actual props. I had passed over it because I read the title 'backgrounds' and thought they were just 2D backgrounds without actually reading the description.
Thank you @Novica for letting us know in such a nice way what you expect from posts in your thread.
I usually don't give unsolicited advice because, as you said, not everyone views it in the same way, although I always mean it in a positive and constructive way. I think this time I gave it without even realising it because I had just finished participating in the new users february challenge: Lighting and the idea to observe light and comment how it looks to me got stuck in my head.
Quite alright :) You're being very gracious about it (no surprise!) and I know when hopping from one thread to another, they all have a different "flavor" to them and it's easy to carry that over when posting to another thread. Also, there's no way for you to know about the history of the thread and the "culture" so to speak, without going back years and years, which isn't feasible. I do appreciate your contributions and your attitude! :)
Since KindredArts has a new release on sale now in the MM that is the newest generation of the "Ghost Lights" product series, and given the discussion above about dim interiors, this might be a good time to mention that any of the (now) 3 "Ghost Light" products are super-handy for these situations. I have the first 2 and they are frequently the perfect solution for boosting the ambient in a scene, or subtly brightening up a specific area, with soft, diffused light that can be a little or as much as you like to get the result desired. The only thing I didn't love was they seemed a bit fussy to place and use, but the description for the newest generation product mentions you no longer have to start with the setup materials (step) so that sounds like they're even simpler to use while adding new features! As use case example, in Sandy's scene if he wanted a bit brighter ambience in the room without visible, lit lamps and without shadows or visibly obvious extra light, a ghost light hovering under ceiling point down and lit very dimply would subtly raise the overall brightness without any hint of extra lighting showing itself in the scene. Or even aim a ghost light, set dimly, at the white walls in the corner, to subtly brighten the room. These are very versatile light tools for making tweaks to a scene's dynamics that let your scene look like "natural lighting" but still allow the artist to get their intended look. I heartily recommend these products, enough so I'm probably going to be buying the new one today to add to my lighting toolset in Daz-- and I generally don't buy too many products during the intro!
~Gen
I'm waiting until tomorrow to buy that set, as you need to buy a new release in three days and I want to see what qualifying ones they are using. I still don't have the hang of this sale yet!
I've been watching a lot of tutorials lately and I stumbled on an interesting channel: Thundorn games.
One of his videos is exactly about ghost light and how you can make these for yourself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vu4J9gv2KY0 .
He has a lot of other tutorials how to make different interesting lighting sets for nice portraits with interesting shadows and highlights.
As I already spend a lot of money on other type of products especialy now with MM on I decided I will spend less on lights and try making my own. I've been happy with the results for now.
Yep, that 3 day thing is why I'm buying it now, 'cuz I know if I don't & I go out of the 3 day window, the new day's Bonus item will be something I'll want & I wont be in the discount window! Oy, the Daz-sales love-hate!!!
~Gen
I tend to make my own Ghost Lights by just making a Primitive Plane Emissive and maneuvering it into position. For interiors where I want ambient light which is distributed all over I usually use the ceiling with the Diffuse Map plugged into it and made Emissive, but if I want the shadows to look right I just use any lights in the room, or add them, and make them Emissive. Spotlights can be used as accent lights as long as they aren't overused, they don't look right in a living room for instance if you don't want the subject to look as if they are standing on a stage :) For outside lights I will use a Distant Light for the sun where the HDR might lack punch; a Point Light in an empty room where I want light in a window or a Distant Light outside to brighten up the front of an asset that is in deep shadow because the sun is behind them. I will also use Tone Mapping and the White Balance at times to balance the light in an image to something that looks 'right' which is a) subjective and b) is viewed on a screen that has been calibrated, as mine is, because it will look different on a non-calibrated screen which I have no control over :) You can also get a bit more Reflection from a surface if you make it slightly Emissive which gives better Ambient light overall and appears more accurate and less unnatural than making the surface Glossy if it shouldn't be. I also try to set the surface of the material to the Refractive Index for it which helps to handle the Absorption of the light hitting it.
I'm rambling on, which my wife says is one of my worst traits, so I'll leave it there.
I've put an outside view looking in on my Art Studio thread and had to change the Shutter Speed in Tone Mapping to 256 because the whites were blown out and you couldn't see the texture on the wall.
If anyone buys https://www.daz3d.com/russian-bedroom please post some normal renders of it here.
I like the promo renders for their artistic style but it doesn't really allow us to see how the items really look.
The Jonathan bundle is not really a great deal even with the purple banner and freebies since nothing seems to be on sale from that group. They apparently pulled any PAs that could be stacking unless I missed something. But I REALLY like Kai for Jonathan! Am I crazy or is he just incredibly hot!
Not crazy at all. Yummy!
I went for the bundle and add-ons, along with the Russian Bedroom. @alex86fire, I have a render running now. What I have seen so far at 24% converged is furniture that appears to be of the 'veneered' style common in Europe of that period. The set comes with nine cameras to choose from. I will post the render when it is done.
I also was excited to see https://www.daz3d.com/character-converter-from-genesis-2-female-to-genesis-8-female-, and that means I can bring forward one of my favorite characters in all of Daz, gypsyangel's https://www.daz3d.com/destiny-for-olympia-6. I love her sculp. Now to have the pose controls available in G8, and the skin textures, I am in heaven.
I am pretty happy with all the male characters that were in the Jonathan 8 offerings, except one which I still bought. I am going to test him and see if it was just his promo pictures that were off or not. But, not everyone in the world has a 'perfect' face (as I know too well when I look in a mirror) and shaping kits are there to work with what you need to adjust.
The bundle's images don't seem to show that there are two hair sets, but there are: Secret Service Hair for G8M and G3M and dForce Corporate Hair for G8M and G8F. I was surprised when I saw two in DIM. Went back and saw that they are listed in the Features.
Mary
Added the render that took 1 hour 32 minutes to run. Other than the HDRI outside, I deliberately did not add any lights to inside.
Thanks!
Looks as good as I expected :), no idea why some normal renders weren't added to the promos as well instead of only those painted style ones.
I'll go for it too along with the bundle and probably textures for the wasp outfit, as the other textures don't appear to have anything special that can't be easily obtained with fabric shaders.
Thanks. Tesla owes you for a sale.
You are both welcome. Tesla made out with me today, as I also finally bought the https://www.daz3d.com/laundry-room. I think I have watched too much HGTV and seriously covet that room and the house that it would go with.
@llynara Happy Birthday tomorrow gal!
Another old set, The Study. Again I ran the Iray Uber shader on it and then tweaked some of the surfaces. The only light was the small table lamp so I added a Point light near the ceiling.
The Study
2020-03-03 14:38:12.772 Total Rendering Time: 2 minutes 35.66 seconds
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Of course it grew legs.
2020-03-03 22:04:16.623 Total Rendering Time: 4 minutes 15.5 seconds
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Then I remembered I had used it before but using one of the expansion packs.
Santa's Home
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