models rendering

[Mr Max]

Hi everyone,

I recently started working at this new office and most of what we design are different types of stands, exhibition items, central points etc...

the problem that i'm facing in rendering those items is that I can't show the exact details of those items since we basically render them in space with no walls or surrounding objects so I end up with bad lighting and low details of those models and it don't matter how much I change my render settings, I still get bad looking images!

I'd really appreciate it if you guys tell me what is the best technique to render such models since I'm only used to large interior scenes and different lighting and rendering techniques! I don't know whether i should place my object in a closed room_studio or use HDRI's etc...

I'm using max 2009 & vray engine.

 

Thanks for all the help & advice

[SandmanNinja]

You could fake an accurate HDRI and just use an HDRI of a similar setting to what the final moel will be used in. Odds are no one will notice that the reflects aren't 100% accurate, but they will see an environment of some sort reflecting in the model.

[dean@pikcells]

Definately agree, reflections are what makes a product rendering look good. Try using HDRs, or try modelling a studio environment, with lights, rigs, etc, that should give good results.

Also try different lighting techniques, soft shadows, colours, and just play until you achieve something nice.

This is something I did a while back http://www.deanpunchard.co.uk/portfolio_zigzag.html

[Mr Max]

Thanks for the help guys

sandman ninja, I'll try applying the hdri of the used scene and i hope that works for me but I was wondering If I should use a closed room or just place my object on a plane in open space like I'm doing right now?!

Dean, thanks for the great advice man, I'm thinking abou making my own studio that resembles my work theme & design and i'm sure that will give my work a nice tough! Thanks for all the help man, but I was wondering if there are any ready made studios or even tutorials about the proper studio lighting!

[dean@pikcells]

Here's two I found in about 20 seconds of googling "vray studio setup"

 

http://www.aversis.be/tutorials/vray/vray_studio_lighting.htm

 

http://www.renderray.com/tutorials.php?cId=8

[Tommy L]

Shoot it like a photographer would. Use a sweep and studio lighting. If you're really struggling, you could even download the mat scene from vraymaterials.de or whatever that materials site is. That is essentially point and fill on a sweep I would guess, but you will have to mess with the scale.

[jucaro]

a basic 3 point lighting might just do the trick. and of course a nice hdri for reflections and soft lights.

[Mr Max]

Thnx for all the help guys, you really gave me great amount of information about the topic and I appreciate that a lot

Jucaro, can u please give me a quick brief about three point lighting cos I'm new to this concept

Tommy L, CAn u plz also tell me a bit how a sweep modifier aids in studio lighting?

I hope I'm not asking too much questions but i'm still new to the 3d galaxy:o

thnx for all the help guys!

[Mr Max]

one more question plz, hehehe, are there any actual material scenes available for downloads that I can learn from? I didn't find the actual mat scene from the vraymaterials.de site!

thnx guys!