Can't Get Reflections in Wood Texture

[nmwoodworker]

I can not figure out how to get reflections in my wood materials. I'm using VfR 01.05.29 and Arroway textures.

The realize the quality is low in the first picture, but when I up the setting for high quality, I still do not get reflections. I'm using hugh rectangular lighting and when I up the intensity, it will just wash out.

The second screen shot is showing that in the reflection "white box", M is set to Fresnel. In the Fresnel Color M box, its set to a Arroway reflection map.

The Highlight Glossiness M is set with the same Arroway reflection map. The Reflection Glossiness M is also set to the Arroway reflection map.

The Diffuse Color M (3rd screen shot) is set to the Arroway color map.

I've tried setting the Reflection "white box" M to the Arroway Reflection map (versus the Fresnel setting), but that makes the desk top all "silver" or washed out.

I've changed every setting (one at a time) and I can't get reflections in the desk top.

Just don't know what else to do.

[a3rosmith]

Re: Can't Get Reflections in Wood Texture

try to increase the frensel ior

[iamcapitano]

Re: Can't Get Reflections in Wood Texture

You might be getting reflections, but can't see them properly, the best thing to do is to add the "reflection" channel in the vfb option and when you render have a look at it, it will only show the reflections of the render, if you get a black image = no reflections obviously.

[fooprobe]

Re: Can't Get Reflections in Wood Texture

what does the reflection map look like? and what about the bump map? post them please? it's possible that the combination of bump and refl maps are making the reflections hard to see - especially if it's the same image. in that case you may need to crank up the multiplier on the reflection map. even so you might get better results with default reflection layer settings, and let the bump map control where the reflections are.

[nmwoodworker]

Re: Can't Get Reflections in Wood Texture

Thanks for the reply,

A3ROSMITH - Increasing the IOR doesn't help. I'm no expert by a long shot, but I don't think changing the IOR for reflections is the proper method. Each material has IOR coefficient and I want the rendering to be as realistic as possible.

IAMCAPITANO - I added a reflection channel in the vfb option, but how do I view the channel after the render? :-[

EMIL MERTZEL - I'm using Arroway textures but see the image below for the reflection and bump maps. I'll try playing with the multiplier on the reflection map settings. Although Arroway give recommend settings to start. I better check that I've got them set correct.

Thanks everyone. ;D

[fooprobe]

Re: Can't Get Reflections in Wood Texture

so the white-ish one is your bump map and the grayish one is your reflection map? the screen shot makes it hard to read (post a larger image if you get a chance), but since it's grayish it'll be reducing your reflections somewhat.

increasing fresnel IOR will increase the amount of reflectivity overall. the fresnel color/map will then "tint" that amount of reflectivity. they work together. so increasing IOR will definitely increase reflectivity, but if the fresnel color/map is too dark, you still won't see it (because it's tinting the reflections darker). given all that, just try removing the refl map and see if you get reflections. you should. if not, then something else is afoot.

[nmwoodworker]

Re: Can't Get Reflections in Wood Texture

EMIL MERTZEL,

I found where to see the reflection channel. duh. :-[

The reflection channel is not black and I can see where the reflections are. Lots of reflections.

Yes, the white-ish is bump and grayish is reflection. I'll play with the IOR to see what happens.

I did remove the reflection map and no reflections in the RGB Channel, but lots in the reflection channel. I've got some setting screwed up.

Just knowing about the different channels is a big help.

[fooprobe]

Re: Can't Get Reflections in Wood Texture

hey, i noticed in your first screenshot that you seem to be using a map (M) instead of the number value for highlight and reflection glossiness... what map are you using there? try removing those.

[nmwoodworker]

Re: Can't Get Reflections in Wood Texture

EMIL MERTZEL,

yea, your correct. I put a map in the reflection (M), but it was way to "silver". I removed and put a map in the highlight and glossiness map. It just got me closer to real wood. Probably not correct, but close.

One thing I really dislike is just changing inputs and watching the result without understanding why. I've read all the VRay manual, and on line info, but still allot to learn. Getting some one on one training tomorrow. Things should improve.

Thanks for the response.

[Visa]

Re: Can't Get Reflections in Wood Texture

How about giving your surfaces something to reflect. You said in your first post that you are using large rect lights to illuminate your scene. That can lead to having all white reflection, which looks like no reflections at all. Try putting some objects on the table or putting an hdri map in the reflection or background slot in the environment options.

As to mapping, put your reflection map into 'fresnel color' slot and keep the IOR at 1.55. Then use the map's multiplier to control reflectivity and glossiness values to handle the blurriness.

[deanfitton]

Re: Can't Get Reflections in Wood Texture

yes listen to VisaV,

it look as though you have a studio setup with rect lights. So if everythings white, what do you expect your materials to reflect?

If i were you... i would model up a small room with a light source, ei a window, then render. you should see a much different outcome.

Dont forget materials look the way they do from their surroundings.

Regards

[fooprobe]

Re: Can't Get Reflections in Wood Texture

He's able to get reflections in the wood that's underneath the top part, so I don't think it's just the environment...

EDIT:
but actually you may be right about it - you can see a hint of white reflectin in the side of the top piece, maybe the glossiness is so blurry and the environment so uniform that you can't really tell that it is in fact reflecting. good call.

[nmwoodworker]

Re: Can't Get Reflections in Wood Texture

Thanks everyone,
Had a one on one training today. VISAV was correct.

Basically, (covered allot of stuff and I'm still trying to digest it all) it boils down to poor illumination techniques and putting my specular map in the Reflections m. VISAV's correct, it should go in the Fresnel m slot in the Reflections slot.

One nice technique for making wood "pop" and come alive, is to have better specular maps.

I've got allot to learn, but at least now, I have a direction to go. Very cool stuff. Don't think I'll be going to bed early this evening. ;D

[Micha_cg]

Re: Can't Get Reflections in Wood Texture

The intensity of the fresnel reflection is controlled by the "white" fresnel color control. Here should be placed the reflection map, if needed.
You can see it here at the ceramic tile where a reflection map is used for less refelction intensity at the tile gaps:
http://software.asgvis.com/index.php...ics&Itemid=671

[nmwoodworker]

Re: Can't Get Reflections in Wood Texture

Thanks Micha, I'll have a look.

Quick question for you. I downloaded your toolbox and trying to use the "Show Direction of Reflection" button. Fernando used it yesterday on the model shown in this thread and it worked. I just tried it on the same model and it doesn't see the desk. It see's the backdrop, and I can get a vector from that, but it will not see the desk top. Actually, it doesn't see any part of my model.

Any idea why the tool won't recognize an object?