Jeff Patton JeffPatton Location: Lexington, USA Language(s):
English Member Since: August 2002 Last Updated: 27 August 2008 Portfolio Views: 559103 Chosen as Favorite: 326
November 27, 2007.21:14 Material configuration scenes part deux
I wanted to release an updated "material lab" scene. This is basically the older design that I planned on using last year but updated. The problem with the older file (and this one too) is that it needed "proper" UVW mapping. Not a huge issue, but silly me decided to flatten the subdivided surface instead of keeping the low poly version for setting up my UVW's. D'oh
Instead of dealing with those issues I took the easy route this time and simply applied a planer uvw map to the whole thing.
Sample renders:
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As before you can switch between the various "modes" (glass, cloth, generic) by using the scene state manager. Also, as before 3ds Max 9 users will need to install the production shaders from 3ds Max 2008 (see previous posts for instructions).
November 26, 2007.03:07 Ultra basic material configuration scenes
People keep asking me about creating a material exchange site for mental ray. I think it's a great idea, and at one time I had worked on one...but that fell apart (not from lack of effort on my part). After that, I knew of a handful of websites that were actively working on creating a material exchange site for mental ray users. Quite a bit of time has passed and now I'm honestly not sure if anything is still in the works on any front.
So, what's the purpose of this post? Well, I'm posting a few test scenes that I have used recently to help visualize some of my own materials. I expanded it to include a very simple caustic scene for those that use caustics (I generally don't).
Yes, I realize this doesn't in any way solve the problem of not having a material exchange site. BUT, I thought the scenes may be useful for preparing your own materials. On the upside you'll be ahead of the game whenever we do see a mental ray material exchange site appear.
Example Renders:
Both of these test objects are in one scene. You can switch between the hard-surface object, and the rounded shaped object by using the scene state switch (tools>manage scene states). I wanted to include the caustic example as a scene state...but evidently the scene states don't work with GI/FG settings, and switching between cameras.
Note2: I normally use (and recommend) the photographic exposure control in 3ds Max 2008. But in this case I used the log. exposure to maintain a consistent look between versions. Since I used the log. exposure, I modified the gamma settings accordingly. The file(s) should load with the adjusted gamma settings.
November 15, 2007.00:55 How to: Skydomes in 3dsmax with mental ray (and FG)
Nice right?...But in order for them to look their best your need to map them to a "skydome" object. Naturally that isn't a real difficult task, but what if you want to use the mrSun & FG with your skydome? Chances are it'll block the mrSun, which is an easy fix by adjusting the shadow options on the dome properties...but that's just going to allow indirect lighting from the mrSun...what about some skylight?
Well, if you add a mrSky or standard skylight to your skydome scene, the skydome will also block the indirect illumination from the mrSky or skylight. Unfortunately there's not a simple switch that you can enable/disable on the skydome mesh to allow FG to pass through it. But don't worry, in this post I'll show you how to work through these issues with a ray switch shader from the production library.
To begin here's an example animation I setup using the mrSun and a skydome:
I opened 3dsMax9 and created a ground plane in an empty scene. I then added a sphere primitive that was slightly larger than my ground plane. I converted the sphere primitive to an editable poly, inverted the normals and deleted the bottom faces. From there, I scaled the sphere down (flattened it from the top). After that, I added a UVW modifier. Here's a screen capture of the scene:
Screen capture of scene setup (click to enlarge)
The production shaders in 3ds Max 2008 come with a few "ray switchers". For more information on the production shaders, check out the production shader information either in the help files of 3ds Max 2008, or at Zap's blog here: http://mentalraytips.blogspot.com/2...easures-of.html
In my example scene I have applied a raytype switcher shader to the skydome mesh. Here's a screen capture with an explanation of the maps I used: (click to enlarge)
In a nutshell I placed my panoramic sky map in the "Eye Rays", "Reflected Rays", and "Finalgather Rays" swatches. By boosting the output amount on the Eye Rays & Reflected Rays maps the panoramic bitmap can be seen when using the log. exposure control (with exterior daylight option enabled). By boosting the output amount of the FinalGather Rays, the skydome will actually generate indirect illumination when FG is enabled. The indirect illumination will generate the colors of the skydome map.
I created this in Max9 so 3ds Max 2008 users can also open the file. If you're using Max9 you'll need to install the production shaders from 3ds Max 2008. Instructions on doing this can be found here: http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=6&t=554087
Here's some additional sample renders where I used various panoramic images mapped to the skydome:
Sample 01 (click to enlarge)
Sample 02 (click to enlarge)
Sample 03 (click to enlarge)
Naturally I can't supply the panoramic bitmaps I used in these scenes because they are purchased assets of mine.
November 12, 2007.17:25 A "rant" to help reduce my current stress level...
First off, I'm sorry for posting this non-mental ray related crap in my blog...but I have to vent somewhere...And perhaps some of you that travel frequently will relate to this story.
Ok, so I'm heading home to South Carolina from a recent trip to Milwaukee (which was a very nice trip btw). On my way back from Milwaukee I have to stop at Chicago O'Hare to catch my final flight to South Carolina. I arrived in Chicago at 12:30 pm and my next flight was to leave at 2:05 pm.
Well, the 2:05 flight was delayed until 2:35. No biggie for me, I can deal with that. Then it was delayed again until 3:2(?) pm...ooook, I can handle that too. Then it was delayed again until 4:15 pm. At that point, I was starting to become a bit rattled. So, I went up to the counter and asked what was going on. I was told the plane was simply delayed, but it's in the air now will arrive at Chicago at the 4:15 pm time frame.
Well, around 4:10 pm, they announced that my flight had not yet left it's last destination due to mechanical problems....keep in mind I was previously told that it had indeed left it's previous location and was on it's way to Chicago. Well, now I'm starting to get pissed, but there's nothing I can do to speed up the process, so I have no choice but to continue to wait for the next update.
4:30 update: The original plane can not be fixed. We are trying to find a plane here at O'Hare to replace your flight.
5:(ish): We have "found" a plane here so please go to gate F-12a to wait for that flight.
5:20 pm: We do have a 6:00pm flight to your final desitination...however if you have checked luggage (which of course I had), you can NOT be placed on that flight because you will need to stay with your luggage which will be on the next filght. The "next" flight is with the plane they "found" btw. I explain to the lady at the counter that I'm going home to Columbia, so I don't really care if my luggage is delayed...please let me on the 6:00 flight. I was denied, as were other waiting passengers. We later find out that this flight left on time with EIGHT EMPTY SEATS.
6:00 pm: "We are trying to find a flight crew to staff this flight"...
6:30 pm: "We are still trying to find a flight crew to staff this flight"
6:45 pm: "We have a flight attendant, however we are still looking for a pilot and co-pilot.
At this point I there is a small group of us that have been at this freakin' airport all day waiting on this flight. We ask if we have time to go grab a bite to eat and are told "the plane could be ready any minute"...so we wait instead of eating.
7:20 pm: Still no sign of a pilot or co-pilot. One person in our group said she thought they were supposed to give us meal vouchers if they keep you there longer than your stay. So, she goes up to the counter to ask. They announce that all of us are to proceed to the counter to receive our meal vouchers. We do, and then they tell us to go eat and the plane will be ready when we get back.
8:00 pm: We arrive back at our terminal only to be greeted by "We're sorry, but your flight has been canceled". They put us in various hotels around town for the night. However, they would NOT give us our luggage so we could change clothes or have access to any of our belongings (other than what carry-on items we had). The earliest flight out the next morning is 9:05 am...I'm now booked on it.
7:00 AM the next day. I arrive back at O'Hare and go through the security shake-down yet again. I check the flight schedule to see what terminal I need to go to. It stated my flight was on-time at gate F-12. I head down to gate F-12 and wait.
7:15-8:30 AM: I notice the flight is no longer listed on the board behind the staff at the gate. I also realize that I have not seen anyone from my "group". I walk back down to the terminal to check the "main" board only to find that my flight as been moved to another gate, F-1. I rush to this gate and thankfully make it in time to get on the plane...thanks for the announcement of the gate change!
9:20am, I am in the air on the way home...freakin' finally! Well, does this story end here? Of course not! Where's my luggage, hell if I know...and evidently the airline doesn't know either. So I have to fill out a lost baggage form and I finally leave the airport and come home.
7:00 PM - No word on my luggage yet so I call the 800 number listed on this form I was given. As it turns out, the lady was supposed to write some ID numbers on this form as she entered it into the "system"....so, they tell me there's no record of me filing a lost baggage report! Ahhh, but never fear, the person on the phone tells me "you can give me the info again and I'll enter the report right now". So, I give them ALL my information yet again...and then I wait.
10:25 pm - A delivery service calls me. "We have your luggage and we can bring it now, or first thing in the morning". Well, I was exhausted so I said "first thing in the morning will be fine". They said "We'll see you at 8:00 am".
7:30 AM next morning - Phone call from delivery service. "We will be delivering your baggage in about an hour". Cool, thank you.
11:00 AM....no luggage yet....you can see where this is going right? I call the 800 number again, and at this point 'm at my wits end. I FINALLY get to a live person on the phone only to hear this "Sir, I'm unable to find any report of lost luggage with your name, please give me all the information again and I will file one for you".....holy mother of pearl.
To wrap this hellish nightmare up, I'm STILL waiting on my luggage which is evidently in a delivery van somewhere. Sigh, well at least I'm home safely...and I can firmly say that I (nor any of my family) will NEVER, EVER fly with this particular airline again...I won't say their name...but let's just say it rhymes with "blue-lighted"...
