renderhaus

How do I get/find the blackbody shader? I did a search and found a tip on Autodesk's AREA site saying it is native to 3dsMax and directing me to the base.mi file to remove its "hidden" status by placing a # in front of the "hidden" within that file. But following those directions didn't change anything. The blackbody shader is still not available to me.

How can I access it?

Thanks.

renderhaus

I've tried deleting all lights (including daylight system) and still get artifacts. I've even saved all my objects to a new file - to completely bypass any side-effects of having had a daylight system in the scene, and still get the artifacts.

renderhaus

Okay, by turning on Fast Interpolate for my materials I've been able to achieve the following result. Not 100% free of artifacts, but a heck of a lot better than before. Glossiness samples still set to default (8). I tried much higher (36), but didn't see any difference. Still using area lights with area shadows (couldn't assign blackbody shader to light portal). and have illiminated the Daylight.

Attached Images

COMBO UNIT 02b.jpg (120.7 KB, 27 views)

pixelperfectg

Hehehe, you think 36 samples is high? That can be a drop in the bucket when speaking of clean/glossy reflections.

I posted some info on A&D samples in my blog last year that you may find helpful:
http://jeffpatton.cgsociety.org/blog/archive/2007/4/
But it's mostly the same thing that's already been discussed here..except it has some pretty pictures with it..lol.

Something that hasn't been mentioned yet (that I saw) is the mia_envblur shader. If your objects are reflecting an HDR environment (kinda looks like may be), then you may want to see this post on Zap's blog:
http://mentalraytips.blogspot.com/20...lur-gloss.html

__________________
Jeff Patton
My mental ray blog | Personal Website | mrmaterials.com

Justin Hunt

Just thought of something, are you using the brushed metal preset? If so remove the bump map or swap it out for something else.

jhv

renderhaus

Well, actually I did try 200, but the render time was too ridiculous for me to even continue the experiment.



You mentioned using Interpolation to "balance the smoothness and render time". Which Interpolation were you refering to? The interpolation within the materials, the F.G. interpolation, or perhaps some other interpolation value?

-ALSO- Can someone please help me access this "blackbody" shader for use with the light portal?

Thanks.

pixelperfectg

The A&D reflection interpolation option. BTW, you can click on those small thumbnail images for the larger image that shows the settings I'm referring to.

Oct. 20, 2007 blog entry:
http://jeffpatton.cgsociety.org/blog/archive/2007/10/
and
Dec. 24, 2007 blog entry:
http://jeffpatton.cgsociety.org/blog/archive/2007

__________________
Jeff Patton
My mental ray blog | Personal Website | mrmaterials.com

renderhaus

Thanks Jeff. But I'm still getting the same results, even with the same settings you're showing. There must be other variables at play here.

renderhaus

Okay... One more question.

I've managed to get the blackbody shader applied to my light portal (which I am using as a single light source from my ceiling). But now Everything above the portals elevation is completely black. So instead of being able to see the corrugated metal deck above my steel joists, all I see is blackness. What gives? What do I need to adjust on the light portal allow the camera to see beyond it?

renderhaus

3rd time's a charm...

I changed my areas to points and took the mr Physical Sky out of use in the background Environment Map (left over after Daylight deleted).

Attached Images

COMBO UNIT 02c.jpg (162.1 KB, 25 views)