Please help with v-ray settings and lighting

[sol7]

Hello all , This is my first post here probably anywhere , i wish it won`t be a 0 replies one .

 

I'm a student and working on a project of mine and I am using 3ds max 7 and v-ray as a renderer , I've used it before in interior scenes but it is my first time to use it in an exterior project . I hope you pros could support me with the proper standard render settings for a daytime scene .I also have few lighting questions that i hope could answer :

 

1 - Which gives the best result simulating sunlight with v-ray, standard sunlight , IES sun or just a target direct ?

2- If I used any type of shadow instead of vray shadow will the vray materials' reflection and tranparency correctly detected ?

3- How could I use an HDRi image to light the scene should I put it in the max daylight map or in the environment background or both and how could i adjust its settings ?

4- Should I use additional lights other than the sunlight source and the max daylight ?

 

*Any additonal tips are welcomed and thanks in advance .

[JamesTaylor]

1. vray lights are optimized for vray so probably best, otherwise a target direct

 

2. not sure, again vray shadows will be most suitable for use with vray, i think i'm right in saying standard raytraced shadows may cause issues with vray

 

3. place the HDRI in the environment and reflection override of vray

 

4. my normal method is to use HDRI along with a single vraty sphere light to act as the direct sunlight.

[Geoff]

Here's a couple of links to exterior tutorials using vray.

 

http://alzhem.brinkster.net/sub1/tutorials/tutorial7_en.htm

http://www.osmosis.com.au/