Subsurface Scattering Render Speed

[KernitTheFont]

Hi all,
So i've got a 1350x1080px animation with 12 plastic balls. It's coming out at nearly half an hour per frame with SSS and 1 minute with it turned off. Is this just par for the course for SSS or is there any way to speed it up? I couldn't see any other options to reduce the quality of the SSS, other than the usual scene settings.
I've got 180 frames to render, so obviously need to keep the frame time down!
Thanks in advance,
Tim

[viktor_angelov]

Hello KernitTheFont

Please, be aware that Subsurface Scattering could increase the Render Time significantly. If you would provide us with your scene we could advice on an optimization.

Feel free to Submit a request to our system if it feels more convenient for you.

[KernitTheFont]

Thanks Viktor, file attached.

I might have to render out a single ball and comp them up in AE as a workaround if the render time can't be reduced significantly.

[viktor_angelov]

We have downloaded the scene and will be investigating it.

Will contact you once more information is available.

[viktor_angelov]

Hello KernitTheFont

Your scene was investigated and it seems like it consists of different textures as well as the SSS Translucency Type. All of those affect the time that takes the Render to complete.

However, what you could use is V-Ray Fast SSS2 Material. Give it a go and let me know if it is what you are looking for.

[KernitTheFont]

Hi Viktor,
Fast SSS took it down to 13 minutes a frame (removing the roughness map didn't change much). I think i'll just render without SSS as I just don't have the time for a 30 hour render(!). I might try and fake the SSS with a curvature shader or something and see if that works.

[viktor_angelov]

As mention above, the Subsurface Scattering is time-consuming by nature. However, decreasing the Render Time from 30min to 13min is significant by itself and now you know how to use the V-Ray Fast SSS2 Material for future projects.

[KernitTheFont]

Appreciate your help Viktor!