[DrMerman]

Hey guys,

This is one of the things that has been taking up my time recently. It rendered at 4096x2307 for 35h30m and reached SL 10.61 at a benchmark of 10.75, and there are, as ever, a few things wrong with it :

* The bump map on the near sofa is tiled wrong
* The roughness map on the ceiling is just...well...completely wrong
* Many other things...

Since the render I've fixed these things and I'm in the process of adding in a few other items (wine glasses/bottle, newspaper etc...) The client also now wants to see a stained finish on the roof which'll be...fun?

Comments and crits are both welcomed AND greatly needed

Cheers,
Dr Merman

p.s. I know that the sofas look ridiculously square, but that is apparently the look they're going for. Hmm...

[bjorn.syse]

Cool. Nice work with the background image!

[adri]

that ceilings going to get a bit scorched around the stove pipe!

shame it takes maxwell soooooo long to give us results, isn't it?

Adri

[Bubbaloo]

This looks really good, Doc. I think if you fix and add what you mentioned, it will look even better. Also, sorry, but there is too much noise left. What kind of computer do you have?

[DrMerman]

Thanks guys!

bjorn.syse : Thanks, I was pretty happy with the way it turned out

adri : That's very true. I've added a kind of 'ring' where the flue meets the ceiling, although maybe I should extend it. Good catch!

Bubbaloo : Thanks, I'm trying to sort the ceiling at the moment and I'll post the update when that's done. And tell me about it, I was actually fairly surprised (you do NOT want to see the full-sized version ) I'm running an Athlon +4400 with the 3GB switch in XP which isn't overly slow (I actually have 4GB ram but have yet to muster up the courage for XP64.) There are also some HUGE emitters behind the camera to try and clean it up abit quicker. Any suggestions?

[Bubbaloo]

I'm running pretty much the exact same setup as you here at home except mine is a 4200+. BTW, don't waste your time on XP64, get Vista64!
It looks like you are doing it right to me. Just need more time/power...

[medmonds]

Don't bother too much with a ring around the flue... with a newer stove, your flue pipe is double walled and the outside doesn't even get hot.

[medmonds]

A few other comments:
1 the door out to the deck looks to be super-thick. 2 1/2 inches (6.5 cm) would be adequate.

2 The doors need hardware (hinges, handles, etc)

3 The light levels on the interior floor and on the outside deck seem a bit brighter than your background image would imply.

4 There appears to be only one light in the scene for after-dark... the lamp on the table in the corner. You may want to add some other "off" lights as filler detail in the scene. Maybe a floor lamp to the right of the couch?

[DrMerman]

Medmonds : Thanks for that flue info, mate, I've now changed it accordingly.
Everything else you've mentioned apart from the outside light levels has been fixed/added in the latest renders (although I'm still waiting to hear back about the light fixtures on the ceiling.)
I was attempting to fix the outside area earlier, but it's really altering the interior lighting. I'm going to try using some strategically positioned polys to dampen things

I'll post an update tomorrow.

Cheers,
Dr Merman

[DrMerman]

Hey guys,

Quick update. This one didn't render for so long, so its a fair amount darker than the last one, but that would obviously clear up (within reason Wait...aww I made myself sad...) The client wanted to see the lamp on for some reason, and the rest of the lighting details are still being chased up, but the majority of everything is as its going to be (although I'm thinking of cropping out the window frame on the right, and the ceiling bump needs to be upped a fair amount as well.)

Fire away!



Cheers,
Dr Merman

[Bubbaloo]

Man, that is looking sweet! Can't wait to see a clear render.
Some suggestions:
Yes, cut that frame on the right side out. Or maybe just show less.
If you do decide to keep it in frame, maybe use a bit of shift lens to make it vertical.
On the edge of the ceiling that is visible, should there be a joint there or is it one piece (special corner piece)?

[DrMerman]

Thanks mate Good call on that ceiling joint - I'd completely missed that. I'll try and find out first thing tomorrow (which appears to mean sometime Friday to the info-givers ) And thanks for the suggestion about the window frame. I'll try a bit of the old shift-lens and show the client a few different versions, although I think I at least need to cut it back a tiny bit.

Cheers!
Dr Merman

[michaelplogue]

This is looking really nice doc! I just have a few observations.

I think that the furniture arrangement is a bit awkward. There does not seem to be an easy traffic flow into the sitting area - all the 'entries' into this space are very narrow and constrained. It does lend itself to a sense of 'coziness' but at the same time it's very cut off from the rest of the room.

Also, with the positioning of the fireplace, it's very isolated. It's been relegated to being simply a utility device and not a centerpiece that one would sit around and enjoy. Also, placing it on that wall puts it directly in the middle of the main traffic path leading to the balcony.

Regarding the fireplace chimney - Usually there is a much larger ring surrounding it where it intersects with the ceiling (to meet fire codes, there's generally a larger gap between the chimney and the wood) - unless this is fancy insulated, double walled system. Also, if the wall it's up against is of timber frame construction, you would generally have some sort of heat reflector or other type of non-flammable barrier.

I definitely prefer the stained ceiling better than the painted one - gives it more of a country home feel to it. For more realism, I'd put some nails in them, and maybe even break them up so that they are not all spanning the entire space as single boards.

The ambiance and lighting is terrific in this render - gives it a really warm and welcoming feeling, and I definitely like the clerestory aspect of the ceiling! If it were me, I'd put some windows along the vertical section of the roof - it would really bring a lot of light into the room, and (when opened) help with passive cooling on hot days.

[Becco_UK]

It would be a shame if this natural looking scene was spoiled with noise - maybe worth considering a render farm for you final render. If possible, leaving one of those chairs out with the other repositioned would 'open' up the room space a little.

[DrMerman]

Thanks guys The clients on this project are being very specific about what they want to see, and sadly it's not always having a positive effect on the image, but there we go

The angle itself was not one of my choosing, as I think it seems a little forced, as does the position of the furniture. What I might do is redo the shot slightly when everything is finally signed-off, and tweak things for the portfolio.

michaelplogue: I completely agree with pretty much all of your points. The ceiling has gone back to being wood, but is now a light cedar colour. The clients are adamant about the positioning of everything, but I'll take your points into consideration for the other shots I'm going to do. Thanks mate

becco_uk: I am considering a renderfarm for the final image, especially as I have another few to do at the same time. I'll have to see how things progress and then make the decisions...dun dun duuuuuun