Sketchup + (3DS MAX / CINEMA 4D) + VRay workflow

[francescobitelli]

Hello everybody, that's my first post after having followed this community for some time as a visitor. So thank you all for having me here!

 

I'm opening this thread to get some feedback about the rendering workflow I want to reach.

 

I'm a Sketchup user, and for many reason I decided to make Skp my 3d modeling tool. I have been using Vray for Sketchup for some time getting good results and falling in love with the possibility of rendering the model inside of Sketchup.

But now I am facing, as many people do, the limits of using a 32bit software, being unable to manage complex geometries, spending hours waiting for my render to start, etc. (that's an old topic!)

 

Even though I know that the new Vray 2.0 for Sketchup features proxies and a real time rendering engine, I want to try a new workflow, creating most of my model in Sketchup and exporting it to an other software (and therefore rendering it there, or if needed adding some complex objects like trees, etc.). Everything still using Vray if possible.

 

So I was thinking about two options:

 

- 3DS MAX + Vray (e.g. 3ds max 2013): I've never used 3ds before, but I know it's a solid software used worldwide.

- CINEMA 4d + Vray (e.g. C4D release 15): I've already used C4D for rendering with it's own engine, but never tried with vray.

 

What is the best choice for you in terms of rendering quality (I aim to photorealistic rendering)? What's your own experience about this kind of workflow?

My "dream" would be being able to apply and map the textures with sketchup and then work on reflections, refractions, etc. with Vray inside the rendering software. Is it possible? (I tried with 3ds but I still haven't figured out the proper way)

 

Thanks,

 

Francesco

[Francisco Penaloza]

Quality wise there is no difference between Max V-Ray and Cinema V-Ray.

Between Sketchup and 3Ds Max there is a straight workflow, with Cinema 4d you need to use Collada files, that still does a pretty decent work.

Now regarding compatibles pug-ins and file shares 3DsMax has a bigger community, Cinema 4D is a fast growing community regarding Vizualisation.

 

Money wise investing in 3DsMax plus V Ray is a big hit, if you can afford it, good for you. With Cinema 4D you can go with a smaller version such Broadcast and VRay for cinema also is a little cheaper.

 

As aside note the latest Cinema 4D rendering engine updates are very impressive, the quality is very good, plus also use Irradiance method with Light trace (light cache in VRay) and also has the option of Montecarlo.

[francescobitelli]

Thank you Francisco, that was a very clear answer.

So, for what I get, using for example C4D r15, I can get results that are comparable to Vray for C4d (or at least they could be comparable for a intermediate-level user like me).

I'm definitely thinking about trying the skp>c4d way because I feel much more comfortable with the c4d environment; first of all I need to face the exportation/importation issue. Let's see how difficult this way gets! Thanks again!