Lightmap

Common Common :: Tutorials, Tips & Tricks
1

Hi All,

Looking for some pointers, in getting started with Lightmaps.

Should I follow the same workflow as with Photonmaps, i.e. first use Lightmaps for the 1st and 2nd bounces, save the file and then render with 1st bounce turned to irradiance.

Also should I also turn of reflections and refraction when doing the Lightmap calculation?

Lastly, is VRay Skylights still required to get the “sun” light of an exterior placed light into the building?

Thanks

2

Ah ok right well,

I will answer your question in the right post then.

Untill now i only tested the lightmaps in the secondary bounce thus replacing the photon maps, wich i never used anyway.

I set up my scene more ore less the same way as with direct computation in the second bounce. For starters keep the lightmap at default values for fast rendering. Turn show calculation on so you will get a good preview of how light your scene is. If it is to dark up the skylight multiplier, i found that the lightmap reacts very strong to the skylight.

Untill now i didn’t have to use vraylights in my windows, using color mapping to tune the final brightness of the image. For the final image use more samples in the lightmap.

Other than that i would say experiment and play with the lightmap, its easy to setup. I havent’t figured out what all those filter options do yet.

Hope this is helpful.

Erik

3

Lightmap

Thanks Erick,

I think the big ? I would like to clarify at this stage is if one follow a two stage setup as with Photon or do you go straight to use irradiance for the 1st bounce and photon for the second.

4

I used the lightmap at first just for testing purposes, now i just use a one stage setup because you can see directly what your doing if you turn on show calculation.

Erik

5

Study

Hi Erick,

Thanks again. I also been testing today, but don’t seem to get the light into the structure.

I have a simple scene with something resembling a house with a couple of window openings. I placed on light on the outside shining in through 3 window openings.

Inside I placed 2 camera, one looking at the windows, the other looking in the oposite direction.

Rendering from cam 1 I get a light up scene, but rendering from cam 02 only a black scene. In the viewport though one can see how the walls are washed by the light.

I will try and opload tonight.

Cheers

6

I Assume that you are using vray materials ?

7

Materials? What materials

Just kidding, yes I am using VRay materials, but the cause was even more stupid, I was zoomed out when placing the camera, so on closer inspection I found it to be within the wall.

So everybody remember you not going to see the light if you place the camera within the wall :sweat_smile:

Anyway, abit silly that Max does not display it correctly in the camera viewport.

So know that I getting the light in, the next struggle I have is to maintain contrast, I find it very hard to keep corners pronouced enough to be easily visible.

Cheers

8

sweet. i think he has finally seen the light hehe