Interior rendering help please.

[Albertv05]

Hey Everyone-

 

I have a slight problem with an interior rendering that I am currently working on. I am familar with Viz 4 but have only done renderings with the Sun System. In the space I am creating renderings for, I have to do use 2x4 flourescent lights and no natural light. I have questions.

 

1. Does any one have any good suggestions for photometric lights that will work for 2x4 flourescent lights? Light type/settings?

 

2. This is the most important question. My test renderings, no matter what lights I use, turn out very muted. Even if I turn off all of the lights in the scene, it still renders, but with no light or shadows...just very flat. I am trying to get contrast in the scene and the radiosity exposure control is not helping at all. I'm pretty sure this problem has something to do with Global Illumination but I can't figure out how to fix this. My current settings for GI are set as defalt:

 

Tint: White

Level: 1.0

Ambient White

 

If anyone could clear this up, I would be most greatful. Thanks so much in advance!

 

Cheers!

 

-Al

[Devin Johnston]

First are you using Viz radiosity or a GI program like Vray or Final Render?

 

If you’re using Viz radiosity then the problem your having is with your exposure control. I've found that when you use the sun system together with an interior scene that is going to use internal lights the sun will always over power the artificial lighting. I got the best results using the Logarithmic Exposure control but you are going to have to play with the settings and also your materials to get it to look correct.

[Janzer v1.0]

try using automatic exposure instead. It will calulate the radiosity solution for you. If your using the sun then stick with log. but be warned it will wash out all your lights as the suns intensity will overpower these lights. You can always crank up the intensity of the lights though, or turned down the sun.