unbiased comparison between vray and corona output quality in archviz ?

[correntes]

Hello guys,

Does someone have an unbiased comparison between vray and corona in archviz ?

We manly do archviz. Vray has served us well but we can't ignore the output that corona users are getting.
Almost all corona renders look more natural with more detail than vray renders. I can't believe that all corona users are more skilled and talented than vray users.
Regarding output quality, If we exclude human skill, it most be software or hardware related.

I'm not saying that vray can't achieve same results but at what expense (time, machines, human work) ?


Bottom line :

Here at the office we are thinking in buy corona next year and give it a go.

[Rick Eloy]

I used to have a license and dropped it recently. IMHO, the main selling point about Corona is that it requires very little user input in order to get decent looking images. BUT (and there's always one) there's a catch: render times.
Interiors usually take hours to render simply because that's the time Corona needs to clean all the noise. Something a skilled user could get within a few minutes in V-Ray would take hours in Corona just because it's how it works. Of course, I'm not saying it can't be fast - for exterior renderings as well as product shots it is indeed fast, mainly because of the low number of ray bounces. But for interiors, for me it's a no.
Unless your company is willing to give up on control and overall speed and resources (until today Corona doesn't even have a blend material, for example), stick with V-Ray.

[vlado]

You might want to wait until the next service packs of both Corona and V-Ray before you make any conclusions. Both will include additions that may make you change your mind either way. F.e. V-Ray's GI and lighting distribution will get better, and Corona will get a blend material.

As for what Corona renders look like, they do have one thing in common - noise. That might or might not bother you, many people denoise in post anyways. However my opinion is not unbiased

Best regards,
Vlado

[JeffG2]

"However my opinion is not unbiased "

Pun of the day.

[correntes]

"V-Ray's GI and lighting distribution will get better" Quality (natural distribution) wise or tech (light leaks correction etc) ?

In my eyes Gi and lightning its one of the differences. Corona images have more depth. I think that light behavior its playing a big role here.
Don't know if corona sky/sun have something to do also.

I work allot with vray sky/sun and I'm struggling to get similar results.

Another difference its in the textures detail at distance and in shadows. Again corona seems to capture more detail.

For the record we use BF / LC controlling subdivs and noise with color tresh and msr.

[vlado]

In my eyes Gi and lightning its one of the differences.

Except for a few differences related to reflective caustics, Corona and V-Ray produce exactly the same GI solutions (I've verified this many times). Lights also behave identically. It is true that V-Ray has been traditionally missing reflective GI caustics, which might lead to a duller and more contrasty GI, but it is one of the things that will be updated in the SP.

I think that light behavior its playing a big role here.

No, I don't think so. The rendering equation is just one; both renderers follow it more or less closely.

Don't know if corona sky/sun have something to do also.

This is a difference; Corona uses a different sky model, which is coming in the next SP of V-Ray as well.

Another difference its in the textures detail at distance and in shadows. Again corona seems to capture more detail.

I have not seen this either. Both renderers filter textures in pretty much identical ways. Corona seems to use a different bump mapping algorithm, more similar to the VRayColor2Bump texture. For VRayHDRI, we also have the elliptical filtering mode, which is way more accurate than what Corona does.

I know that none of this will convince you, but I must say it anyways

Best regards,
Vlado

[correntes]

Thanks for the input vlado. Any thoughts when the next SP will be out ?

Meanwhile I'll guess that i have to conduct some test comparisons myself for proper evaluation.

More insights are welcome.

[WilleViz]

...

It is true that V-Ray has been traditionally missing reflective GI caustics, which might lead to a duller and more contrasty GI, but it is one of the things that will be updated in the SP.

...

This is a difference; Corona uses a different sky model, which is coming in the next SP of V-Ray as well.

...

Best regards,
Vlado

Wow, Vlado, that next SP is starting to look mightly tasty! Are we looking at nice Christmas present, like in early December for SP3?

[JezUK]

I must say that my first play with Corona yesterday had me in a state of wow-ness.

It is friggin' awesome.

For anyone (like me) who is a bit reluctant to learn new software (think elderly & learning curves) Corona seems very quick and easy to learn.

But their highlight for me was their ActiveShade - if I had that sort of speed and effortlessness in RT, things would be dandy. But what took me hours to get right for a recent project using VRay, was sorted in Corona's Activeshade in minutes of playing with it for the first time.

Truly a joy.

The other important aspect for me, is from a purchasing new software point of view, i.e. how easy it is to get on the Corona bus. No initial outlay, no 12 month subscriptions - just pay monthly as you go. And there's a free version if you'd prefer.

So many things I love about VRay, too many to list here, but it can't be hidden how daunting it appears at first sight for newbies (though maybe I see Corona as easy because I've been through the VRay learning curve ?).

Very exciting times and healthy competition - I just hope Corona don't ever sell out to Autodesk.......

[correntes]

JezUK:

Have you tried Vlado sampling tutorial a go ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKaKvWqTFlw

It's real simple setup too.

In the past i defend how simple and easy corona was to setup.
With the msr approach, vray got as easy.

[vlado]

But what took me hours to get right for a recent project using VRay

Can you tell me, out of curiosity, what was that and why you couldn't you do it with V-Ray RT?

Best regards,
Vlado

[AndresAhumada]

This is bothering me Corona and foolish lovers.
The only thing I rescued Corona is the subject of the thumb of the materials is much better. But the rest is very far from v-ray.

[WilleViz]

JezUK:

Have you tried Vlado sampling tutorial a go ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKaKvWqTFlw

It's real simple setup too.

In the past i defend how simple and easy corona was to setup.
With the msr approach, vray got as easy.

Indeed, this works very well for me too!

[correntes]

AndresAhumada if that was for me:

I'm only fanboy of one thing; which gives me the best relation between price/quality.

[JezUK]

Can you tell me, out of curiosity, what was that and why you couldn't you do it with V-Ray RT?

Best regards,
Vlado

Thanks Vlado,

I'll do a quick YouTube video and post it up.

I also noticed a bug as well in RT and that was a surprise too and I'll show that in there as well.