Glowing lights: vehicle headlights and streetlights at night

[The Miff]

I posted a few days ago about shingles, and trying the two methods suggested, it still didn't achieve what I wanted. So I began an extensive search for exterior lighting techniques and tutorials. The search lead me to HDRI lighting.

 

After watching

, it gave me a whole new approach. While the scene became darker, almost like a night scene (mostly because of the specific HDR map used), it had mood.

 

I now want to diffuse the focal points with spontaneous 'unnatural' lighting, like car back-up lights and a street lamp. As in, that glowing effect with the implied cone of light being emitted.

 

Being a newbie at V-ray, I don't even know where to start. Would this be done with vraylightmaterial?

 

I have no problem searching out the tutorials, I'd just appreciate if someone could point me in the right direction, or directions, as there are probably numerous ways to do this...TIA!

[Fooch]

Do it in post.

 

http://forums.cgarchitect.com/62661-i-need-these-lights-glow.html

[Claudio Branch]

Definitely do it in post whenever you can. However...

 

...also take a look at Bob Groothius and sIBL (smart Image-Based Lighting) if you are wanting to really get further into hdri lighting:

 

http://www.bobgroothuis.com/blog/

 

http://smartibl.com/sibl/index.html

 

http://www.hdrlabs.com/sibl/downloads/sIBL-Edit_large.mov

 

The first link is where you can buy BG's panoramic hdr's, the second link describes a the innovative approach of sIBL, and the last link is a 20 minute video that will tutor you on the actual process.

 

All of this works great with V-Ray.

[The Miff]

Thanks guys. Iwas hoping that Vray would have a glare option similar to MR. I used it in Maya and was surprised at how easy it was to get the effect during render.

 

Priceless links Claudio!