light planes, portals, or neither?

[Brian Cassil]

I'm wondering what people are using, and why?

 

Light Planes - Logically that just doesn't make sense to me especially if you are wanting to get any of the sky color cast into the scene, and I don't like the idea of messing around with a bunch of different lights when I could just play around with the physical sun to get a good result.

 

Sky Portals - Makes sense, but seems to increase render times significantly, and I don't see any increase in lighting detail. Also, should affect specular and diffuse be turned off if I am just wanting to focus the GI into the scene?

 

Neither - Right now that's whats working best for me but I wonder if there is a better way.

[BrianKitts]

light planes.... I like having the control over the color and strength, its not worth the hassle of trying to balance the exterior sun and sky versus the interior illumination that you are trying to achieve when you can manually control your outcome.

 

Also should be mentioned that using the planes will get you a better quality light cast that you won't need as many subs in the rendering settings to keep it clean..... far better then going with no lights.

[Brian Cassil]

I guess I like the idea of being able to base something in reality and tweak from there for artistic effect. With light planes you are just eyeballing something from the get go (in terms of color and intensity)... unless there is something I'm missing?

[fadi3d]

I guess I like the idea of being able to base something in reality and tweak from there for artistic effect. With light planes you are just eyeballing something from the get go (in terms of color and intensity)... unless there is something I'm missing?

 

i do work this way but i am afraid Brian Kits is right. With light planes it is faster (but how real remains the big question ?)