lightcache for exteriors?

[lukx]

is it a good idea to use lightcache for exteriro renders. does anyone have any problems with it? Any pros and cons?

[TRGraphics]

In my experience lightcache seems to soften exterior shots a bit to much. Contrast and details in shadows seems to be the main area. Other than that.....

Tony

[cpnichols]

I use lightcache for nearly everything now... well lightcache and IR map, or LC and QMC.

I would say that the reason that things look to soft is that the GI fills in a lot... or a lot more than before. You can fight this by adding some contrast to your image or reducing the value of the secondary bounces... try a 0.75 from what you have.

[fabrizio]

hi lukx,
I always use Ir+Lc. For me they very fast with good quality.

Here is an example.



bye

fabrizio

[Da_elf]

nice render get rid of the clouds. ick. hehe but cool stuff. yeah ive been playing around with light cache for exteriors

[themaxxer]

hey fabrizio

cool bushes... how did you made these?

best regards
themaxxer

[lukx]

well I've run few tests with lightcache and as supsected it's memory eater. With standard IR + QMC in my scene with a lot of trees and disp it took about 800 MB ram. With IR + LC it was.......... 1.3 GB!!! too close to crash.

[RErender]

well I've run few tests with lightcache and as supsected it's memory eater. With standard IR + QMC in my scene with a lot of trees and disp it took about 800 MB ram. With IR + LC it was.......... 1.3 GB!!! too close to crash.

set up your equipment right and that is not near crash... but live in your own cage

[TRGraphics]

Sounds like I should take another look at using lightcache for exteriors.

Tony

[fabrizio]

@the maxxer: bush are photos pasts in photoshop.

@Da_elf: thanx

@lukx: I don't know about memory....my scenes han't many polygons.

bye

[paulison]

the eaves always look too light with LC for exteriors in my opinion. not enough contrast or colour bleed in the example you gave.

on the other hand with IR + QMC the shadows can often be too dark requiring photoshopping

now if there was a Irradiancemapping option which blended with LC and primarily used QMC and was nice and fast that would probably be sweet :P yes thats 3 bounces!!!...why not?

LC is always a great quick early analysis of your projects lighting[/b]