daveb867

Are there any secrets to making a render look like a to scale physical model (like a minature you would see in the reception of an architects practice?)

STRAT

no secrets really, just try to emulate what you see. a tip trick is good use of DOF.

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daveb867

so you wouldn't light the scene any differently??? could still use a dyalight system etc???

STRAT

i wouldn't personally advise it because you're dictated to by the physical sky properties, and how many photos of real physical/card models do you see with a vray style sky? none. they're usually placed on a table top. you want to get away from that typical computer render feel dont you.

it's good practice too - so many people only use the vray daylight system because all the hard work is done for you. this is very limiting. you must learn to use all lighting systems to gain a greater knowledge of rendering.

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daveb867

"you're dictated to by the physical sky properties"

could you explain the above please

STRAT

well why use physical sky/sun system? because it give a pleasing daylight style of lighting. you position the sun where you like, and due to it's height and intensity vray knows what shade or hue or density to colour it and light it. yes, you have control over it to a certain degree, but thats the whole point of the sun system - it's angled to simulate real daylight. but try changing the sun colour or hue the light gives then you're limited. what if you dont want a simulated sun and daylight? what if you just want an internal studio lighting? you dont use daylight system.

using a plain old fashioned spot light gives you manual control over all aspects of how it works. you can simulate the daylight system with it, and also radically change it's colours and other aspects that you cant do with the daylight system.

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STRAT

saying that, i've never used the mental ray daylight system (i just realised what forum im in ) but i presume it's a similar concept.

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kippu

how about a basic white material /balsa wood and studio lighting + dof ?

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daveb867

do you have any examples of how that setup looks once rendered kippu???

i think your on the right track for what i want to achieve

pixelperfectg

Here's some info on a scale model setup:
http://www.kontur.ro/blog/?p=42
While the actual settings are specific to Vray, the concepts discussed are universal to most renderers and should give you a few pointers.

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