question: 3dstudio max version or rhino version

[John Cantu]

Hi all,

I have a new job and this conpany uses VRay for 3dstudio max. I use Maxwell but now need to learn Vray to do interior renderings. I have been told that Vray for max has more options than the rhino version but I really don't want to use Max.

So should I buy Max and Vray combo or buy Vray for rhino?

Also my coworker will be sticking with Max so will anything from my rhino Vray scenes be carried over in the 3ds conversion, anything at all?

I searched about this on the forums and found posts about material converters and such but am really curious about how the two programs talk to eachother if at all.

Cheers,
John Cantu

[dalomar_cg]

Re: question: 3dstudio max version or rhino version

Well, those options in Max may or may not be useful depending on what you're end needs or goals are. Chances are, since you're just starting out with V-Ray, you won't run into needing those options for a while.

In my opinion, as some one who used to use VfMax and now barely uses it, for most things that you'll run into there won't be much of difference.

As far as information going between the two, thats where I think you'll have the most trouble. Right now vfRhino and vfMax don't really have any sort of means to talk or communicate between each other. A 3ds file won't take any sort of v-ray information from either side, and neither will any sort of other format.

The material converter will allow you to use materials on both sides, but for many of the more complicated materials (which you probably won't be using for interiors, but I'm not sure exactly the scope of your work) may not convert very well. As far as vray options, there really isn't anything out there, although some of the scripting utilities that will be in the newest SR may provide some means of translating the two.

From your explanation, it would seem that the ability for you to share and exchange information is more important. I understand not wanting to use Max (there's reason I've barely touched it in a year), but if you're going to need to be exchanging info or scenes between the two, then going with Rhino over Max is going to be a bit of a struggle.

[Micha_cg]

Re: question: 3dstudio max version or rhino version

....I use Maxwell but now need to learn Vray to do interior renderings. I have been told that Vray for max has more options than the rhino version but I really don't want to use Max.

So should I buy Max and Vray combo or buy Vray for rhino?

What are the limits of VfR for interiors? This is the question or? I'm not sure, I don't know 3dsmax.

* At VfR you can't create fur carpets.

* You can't hide a wall for camera only, but you can make, that one side of a surface is transparent and the other not. So you can look in closed rooms.

* Invisible lights show no reflections and so, glossy material could look like without gloss. (maybe Joe will fix it, it's a very old problem)

* At VfR ambient occlussion isn't available. I don't know how 3dsmax handle it, but Occ could be an option for fast renderings at complex lighted rooms. (example: a large congress room, low hight with many small windows and many downlights)

* IES is not available now, but is on the way

* I'm not sure it's a problem at 3dsmax too, but last I tested to render an evermotion scene, but Rhino dosn't handle the polycount, the screen reaction was very slow. Maybe you make a simple test, and import an old max interior scene from your new company. I'm curious how it work.

* Other limit could be, that some model collections are available in max format only, for example the evermotion architecture interior scenes. Sometimes it's good, if somebody can help you to convert max files to Rhino.

* Maybe, the limit isn't VfR, but the tools around Rhino. For example no plant&tree plugin available. You could use Billboards or must try to find good low poly model collections.

I think, the limits at VfR should not be a problem for the most cases. Or what do you think, what you will need? Maybe you could show images of previous projects of your new company.

[John Cantu]

Re: question: 3dstudio max version or rhino version

I am in the yacht design industry, and up to this point have been mostly involved in exterior styling and modeling. I am starting with this firm http://www.b-j-d.com/ that uses vray (scroll through projects thumbs for examples). I need to learn Vray mostly just to play back up for the interiors but was thinking I could use the rhino version first and only resort to Max if I had too, or at least teach myself on the rhino version if they are close enough.

I enjoy Maxwell for my exteriors but sometimes it is a hassle to beat the deadline, here are old examples http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/sho...ight=rendering (6th post fomr bottom -Fair One-) I like maxwell because I have my evolving scene and can just import the next boat and hit render but may reluctantly have to switch at the new job...

From what you guys say it sounds like I can get VfR and learn it and I am learning basically the same as the VfMax, but there is a wall between the two versions so they don’t speak. I hate 3dStudio so I plan to get VfR and cross my fingers I never have to use VfMax.

Thanks guys

-John

[Micha_cg]

Re: question: 3dstudio max version or rhino version

My typical render times at a single Quadcore are between a few minutes and one hour. Never waiting for hours or days. I installed three additional quadcore slaves (Q6600@3.4GHz) the last days - I suppose so, one hour render time will be very seldom now. The next version of VfR will support a very easy to use DR.
The physical sky of VfR is very nice and easy to control too. A Rhino distant light can be used as sun. The infinite ground plane is useful for the ocean.
OK, the first setup will need some time, but later you use it again, than you will very fast render your images and don't miss Maxwell. My experience, at the beginning of a project I have much time to play with the setup, but at the end, often, a change must be done in the last minute and than only render times count.

[dalomar_cg]

Re: question: 3dstudio max version or rhino version

If you don't want to use Max, using vfR will give you enough V-Ray experience to use it really becomes a necessity. Although they don't talk to each other, they are, at their core, the same program. Once you realize the small differences between the two, going back and forth won't be much of an issue at all.

Having a scene that is essentially ready to have a yacht imported in is a great idea (one that I don't think too many people take advantage off). You can easily reuse visopts and materials from scene to scene, so its not like once you've done the work in one scene you can't reuse it in another.

I think you'll be very pleased with the the results, and even more pleased with the speed. Most maxwell users who give v-ray a try are astonished that they don't have to wait forever for a decent render. All of my tests come in a minute or two, and I can get some very good resolution results within 20-30 minutes (like 1200 or larger). Being able to turn things around that fast really frees up your workflow and gives you more flexibility with clients.


to Micha:

* Invisible lights show no reflections and so, glossy material could look like without gloss. (maybe Joe will fix it, it's a very old problem)

You do realize that that's a vray core issue that just got cleared up with 1.5...just though you should know