Simulating physical models

[Dave Buckley]

Are there any secrets to making a render look like a to scale physical model (like a minature you would see in the reception of an architects practice?)

[STRAT]

no secrets really, just try to emulate what you see. a tip trick is good use of DOF.

[Dave Buckley]

so you wouldn't light the scene any differently??? could still use a dyalight system etc???

[STRAT]

i wouldn't personally advise it because you're dictated to by the physical sky properties, and how many photos of real physical/card models do you see with a vray style sky? none. they're usually placed on a table top. you want to get away from that typical computer render feel dont you.

 

it's good practice too - so many people only use the vray daylight system because all the hard work is done for you. this is very limiting. you must learn to use all lighting systems to gain a greater knowledge of rendering.

[Dave Buckley]

"you're dictated to by the physical sky properties"

 

could you explain the above please

[STRAT]

well why use physical sky/sun system? because it give a pleasing daylight style of lighting. you position the sun where you like, and due to it's height and intensity vray knows what shade or hue or density to colour it and light it. yes, you have control over it to a certain degree, but thats the whole point of the sun system - it's angled to simulate real daylight. but try changing the sun colour or hue the light gives then you're limited. what if you dont want a simulated sun and daylight? what if you just want an internal studio lighting? you dont use daylight system.

 

using a plain old fashioned spot light gives you manual control over all aspects of how it works. you can simulate the daylight system with it, and also radically change it's colours and other aspects that you cant do with the daylight system.

[STRAT]

saying that, i've never used the mental ray daylight system (i just realised what forum im in ) but i presume it's a similar concept.

[kippu]

how about a basic white material /balsa wood and studio lighting + dof ?

[Dave Buckley]

do you have any examples of how that setup looks once rendered kippu???

 

i think your on the right track for what i want to achieve

[pixelperfectg]

Here's some info on a scale model setup:

http://www.kontur.ro/blog/?p=42

While the actual settings are specific to Vray, the concepts discussed are universal to most renderers and should give you a few pointers.

[Dave Buckley]

or you could cover it your blog jeff

 

thanks tho guys, keep the tips coming while i check out the link in the mean time

 

i bet you blog 'to-cover' list is more like a scroll now eh jeff???

[Dave Buckley]

jeff you have the exact look i'm after in your gallery and i didn't even notice it. However i don't want the red sky??

 

i also want to be able to put photometric lights in the physical model aswell so that the model 'lights-up' so to speak.

 

i guess i want a 3d site plan, with just blocks representing the surrounding buildings, and then the building in question having a bit more detail, for example glass etc

 

also how do i add these semi-transparent silhouette people??

[kippu]

get some 3d people and give it those transparent material.. oh that reminds me of this link

 

http://www.3dallusions.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=277&Itemid=74

[Dave Buckley]

i meant more like 2d silhouettes rather than 3d

[pixelperfectg]

i meant more like 2d silhouettes rather than 3d

Find yourself some photoshop shapes/brushes of people and you can create 2d cutouts from those.

[Justin Hunt]

cast your eye on this one from a Vizdepot charette http://http://www.vizdepot.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7841

 

you may have to register

 

jhv

[Dave Buckley]

ok guys here is an example of the 2d people i wanna create, i think i need them in my max scene so that they create shadwos etc???

 

would i just apply them to a plane with a corrosponding cutout map??

[Nic H]

that grass looks sick, its a photo tho isntit?

[Dave Buckley]

hmmm, not too usre on that one, i think the geometry is all 3d, and then vegetation has been added in post as far as i know. check out their website

 

purerender.com

 

got some really good stuff on there, any tips on the silhouettes???