Ambient Occulsion Settings

[braddewald]

I just noticed that there is an option for Ambient Occlusion in the Indirect Illumination (GI) rollout. I am wondering if this is the best way to go about it. I have heard of using a script for rendering an ambient occlusion pass. Why would one do this if the options are there in the Vray rollouts. Also, I have heard of just using render elements for ExtraTexture and putting vraydirt in the material slot. What is the difference between this and ambient occlusion? What is the best way of achieving that effect. I guess that the problem with using the ambient occlusion in the vray rollout is that it bakes in the pass instead of giving you the option to fade in/out in photoshop? If anybody has any opinions or tips on this matter it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[WAcky]

You pretty much answered your own question there. Using the extratex render element gives you the most control over your AO by comping it in later. For examply you could also have 5 different AO settings with 5 extratex elements so you can choose which AO pass looks best. Or blend them!

[braddewald]

Great advice, thanks!

[BrianKitts]

In the early stages of setting up a project I'll use the AO built into the Indirect Illumination settings....

 

But when it comes to setting up final renderings I always have typically two AO passes setup as extra render elements, one at a tight radius and a second on a larger radius