Question 1
What are the right way?
Question 2
What are the right way?
I would say
Q1: A
Q2: A
I use
1:B
2:C
But I had the same question once, never took time to solve it. I’m doing some tests to see if it makes a difference.
So.
A: Large Plane Outside
B: Small Planes Outside
C: Large Plane Inside
D: Small Plane Inside
As expected. Option B is better. Inside is just completely wrong as it ports the light more directly from the position where the light is. If it’s inside it just doesn’t do that much if you look at the light pass. The large plane outside has a lot more noise. Mind you that the settings are always the same and I render for 3 minutes progressively.
Another weird thing is in option C There’s something strange going on with the top glass panes. Don’t know why.
For those interested here is the scene, both lights are visible now so you just need to hide the large one or the smaller ones. And move them in or out.
PortalTest.zip (37.8 KB)
I wonder what effect excluding the mullions from the skylight portal(s) would have.
Thank you for your test.
Then…
Question 1: B
Question 2: C
correct answer?
I guess so, it couldn’t hurt testing whether or not a large plane provides better results in your scene.
If using a larger plane, just remember to up the light’s subdivs.
A + C is therefore correct because it is faster to create and makes little difference and probably no difference if you up the subdivs as trixian says.
In theory I would agree with you guys but Vizioen used progressive rendering who is disregarding the subdivs, so I’m a bit surprised but the small planes seems to be a better solution…
Stan
A (debatable, but it’s what I’d do) and C (not up for debate!)