[Tea_Bag]

[tom]

Very very nice

[Tea_Bag]

Thank you Tom

[Fernando Tella]

Looks cool.

[Tea_Bag]

Thanks Fernando! As you can see my fear of CG Metals are over thanks for the roughness tip never used it before now I cant stop using it!

[iandavis]

VERY impressive improvement from image one to the last one.

The lighting setup is your last problem.

Normally studio lighting it set up in a couple primary ways.

1. to simulate what we humans view as 'correct'. Which of course is the sun above us and the light reflecting off the earth.
2. to show the shape of 3d objects with hilights.
3. to show dimensionality with correctly placed shadows.

You should have one primary lightsource. Make it from 3/4 above, it can be moved 360 degrees untill you are happy with the direction. I would recommend for your setup from over one of your shoulders at about a 45 degree. The secondary lightsource should be about 2 stops below, making it a bit cooler will 'fake' the feeling of realistic lighting. (only a bit) This light is only to remove any black shadows and fill in the detail in the shadows.

The third light will be a larger area with an even lower output, this is to be positioned to reflect in the primary reflective areas. If you are going for a studio look, this will be a bright white light (like a softbox). The purpose is to reinforce the 'metalness' of the metal bits and to make them look yummy.

The fourth/fifth lights are catchlights (also called hairlights) traditionally they are low power spots (400w) or focused flash (low power), they are designed to hilight edges against darkened areas. Like an ear or top of the head. In your case pointing a few lights from behind to give the white plastic a rim light will describe the 3d shape even further. When photographing glass items, like beer, photographers often place a silver reflector right behind the bottle, it's unseen by way of it being completely obvious, it reflects light back through the liquid making the color of the liquid even more vivid. In relation to your items, pointed a directed spot behind the objects against their bases will pump light INTO the objects and increasing the feeling of translucent white plastic. This will also add light (via internal bouncing) to some of the edges, in a 'internal glow' fashion that is quite interesting and appealing.

Pick up a book on studio lighting. It's the single best thing you can do to improve your 'reality' of your CG studio renders.

cheers.

[Tea_Bag]

WOW iandavis that information is very helpful and priceless! Thank you so much! Is there a certain book you could suggest? I have both volumes of Jeremy Birn are those good enough for lighting? If I was going to redo the lighting I would have to wait for 1.5 as 1.1 is very slow for rotating and selecting but I will def try improve the lighting!

[iandavis]

thanks Tbag.



No. I haven't been shooting in a studio for a few years. Do a search on google. Go to your local pro photography store and ask for a good book on studio lighting or lighting theory in general.

Using maxwell almost requires a working understanding of photography and light to get the max from maxwell. hehe.

A lot of my techniques have been garnered over the years as a photographer. If you have any specific questions please feel free to pm me. Also I would be happy to light your scene. I don't need the full objects, just post a really simple version... you know 8 polygons. No.. kidding. Maybe 16 polygons. hehe. Seriously, a crude proxie version would be good, in .obj or .dxf format. I want to work in LW. (can't stand studio) I'll see what I can come up with. That is, if you feel that would be illustrative and helpful for you.

cheers.

[Mihai]

I keep recommending this book, it's really great I think: Light Science & Magic. It goes into more detail than usual photography books about the actual materials you are trying to photograph (or in this case render - same difference ), and things to watch out for. Like how to light glass, metals, portraits. I found it very useful for Maxwell usage.

[Tea_Bag]

@iandavis - I would like for you to light my scene for the plug if you dont mind? Because I'm curious to see how much more realistic it can get! I will def do more research and happy to learn!

@Mihai - Thanks alot for the recommending book! Will purchase it over the weekend or check it out at a libary first.

[iandavis]

Mihai,

Looks cool. I think I may pick this up.


Tea_bag, this is what it looks like, which may help:
http://www.amazon.com/Light-Science-Int ... 0240802756

[simmsimaging]

I also recommend that book. It was on the 'must have' list when I went to photo-school a million years ago. It's a very useful book for introductory/intermediate lighting.


b

[Tea_Bag]

Hi all,

Here is the re-design of the plug I made some Modifications and used a different lighting setup and I'm Proud of this one! Critics & comments are still appreciated! Some Issues:

1) More Smoothing
2) Cook Longer at SL 14 at the moment

Thats it I hope

[tom]

Cool

[Tea_Bag]

Thank you Tom!