Learn Iray with Random Renders (updated title)
swordvisions
Posts: 124
Updated (Oct 2016). It has been almost 3 years since I have done a render. My goal is 4 renders a month. We will see how it goes.
So I decide to go with random draws. Currently, in the commons they have a RRR contest, but many years before in the Members section there was something called Zette's challenge which I guess RRR is based on the the rules are about the same.
Since, this is just for my creativity. I set up 3 macros in Excel 2007.
1. 4 random items from my entire collections (2300 items)
2. 4 random items from the last 1200 items purchased
3. 4 random items from the last 500 items purchased
Since this is just for me, if I am not intrigued with the selections I will just click the macro again until I am inspired by the combination
The first render that I am working on is from the picks below - I will post a work in progress shortly.
Family Grave
RM Esmeray Gothic
Portuguese Man-O-War
Mil Dragon 2 Hatchling (PC)
I am setting a goal of at least 2 renders a month.
Below is my macro in excel for my last 500 purchases if interested and macro page on a second sheet. i am not a programmer so I am sure there is a better way to do it but it works for me.
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Comments
My selections for this render are
Family Grave
RM Esmeray Gothic
Portuguese Man-O-War
Mil Dragon 2 Hatchling (PC)
The Man-o-war pretty much forced me to think water and since I had recently purchased Dartanbeck's
Carrara EnvironKit - Underwater Realms
I thought I would go underwater. With the Family Grave and the Hatchling, I thought I would go with a monument of some sort that was now under water. I used Dragon Bridge, and I also created a statue of a dragon rider.
Now, the only thing left is Esmeray Gothic. I have decided to add a submersible -Calypso MSBN with a little girl looking out the window at the monument. This will be my next step. I also used the new Space Base to add an underwater city in the background.
Here is a wip. I also use some sea plants and a couple of replicators to add some plants to the scene. I think mybackground is still empty so I am not sure what I am going to add, maybe a couple schools of fish or a couple more submersible around the Space base.
I forgot - Feel free to comment or add your own random renders. This is just for me to help put the fun back into 3d and inspire me to create something 3d
Before you go wild on trying to fill up the background, get your camera view where you want it so you only have to put in what you need. You wouldn't bother putting a girl in a window from the viewpoint you've shown, obviously, because she wouldn't show up. :) Save yourself some time and effort and also speed up your render time by putting only what you need in there. Looks like you're having fun! I've got a random one to do for the RRRR, and my own thread, so won't be posting here, but it will be fun to see what you come up with.
I always enjoy following the RRR thread. You guys do great work. Hopefully, I can jump start my creative flow. I taught myself Carrara by doing Random renders several years ago. My goal was a new render a week in those days and I had to create something in Carrara as well.
Now, I have a family so I do not have as much time or energy to do renders so I am setting a goal of 2 a month this time.
I appreciate your input. I hope to put the sub close enough to see the little girl but it may not work.
Here is my next WIP. I used all four items. I used a surface replicator on an invisible terrain to distribute the man of wars.
I need to tweak the lights and the girls expression. I think. I may still a few more subs in the distant background.
keep them coming - well done
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I found my old art studio thread so I decided to just reuse it. Random renders have always helped me break through. This time I want to concentrate on Daz Studio and IRAY, I have never been a big user of Daz Studio and have always preferred Carrara but DAZ's still hasn't updated it to use the new Genesis 3 generation or even HD and geographs from Genesis 2 and 1. Until this week, I haven't used any premade content since probably Dec. 2013
My goal is at least one Iray render every week. I will also be learning Studio as I go. I have more time now as I have one daughter married and the other in 4th grade. My youngest one is showing interest so I we did this first scene together. It is not a random draw.
Ist Attempt with Iray - I kept it simple. Used the IRay uber shader for the BG and the Genesis 2 Iray shader for keiko. The only light was the default HDRI and a single disc light. The shaders will take some getting used to as I am used to Blender's shader nodes and Carrara shader tree.
Looking forward to seeing your progress!
Okay, my first random draw.
I have an idea but I am not sure I can pull it off. I will post my WIP as I go. I am thinking of a time portal which I will need to model and texture or find something in the store that I can use.
Thank you
WIP - I used Atlantida Portal and added a cylinder and plane. Not completely happy with the look. I haven't used Studio enough to know if I can round off the edges of my plane or if I will need to model a circular plane in Carrara or Blender.
You can use a plane and a circular mask in the Opacity slot to round off the edges.
Thanks for the sugguestion. Sounds like an easy solution.
I have my scene setup. now I just have to figure out how to light it. I did a quick render. I have only changed the shaders to iray.
Nice! Sounds like fun! I have no idea how to set up a list of what I have in my product library. The thought of actually typing it all out makes me a bit nauseous lol. I might do something like this if I can ever figure it out. I've always wanted to try the RRR contest but can't figure out how to pick stuff.
I copied from my product list and then pasted to notepad to get rid of any formatting and then pasted it into excel.
@swordvisions - great thread. The random content idea is excellent. I try to follow the Commons RRRR but haven't submitted in a while because I am spending so much time doing tutorials and lurking in Studio threads. Combining both is excellent. Love your renders.
@Ice Dragon Art. If you installed your content using DIM, there is a way to export your files list as a text file, which you can then import into a spreadsheet, or just load in a text editor and apply the numbered list function. Typing it in would be awful, I agree. I'll have to open DIM and fish around a little because I have forgotten how.
Now I remember how to use DIM to create a text file of my products. Open DIM. Go to the "Installed" tab near the upper right. Use the check boxes to include the products that you want included. Note that you can use the "sort" tab in the upper right to sort by alphabet, or by newest, or by.... You can check the product box in the upper left to select them all. Once you have the products checked that you want to include and in the order you want, then right-click on the products line near top, and you will be able to export your selected product list as a CSV/TXT file. You can then open that text file in a word processor or a spreadsheet.
I have run into a skullcap issue. I posted it in the Studio forum but I have not heard back yet. - http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/122341/
The hairline leaves a dark area. You can see it in my first example. Then second shot is when I turn the skullcaps Cutout Opac to 0. You can see the dark area even better. It is probably something simple but I just don't know what else to try.
Okay, I think I am getting close. I need to fix the hair. For lighting, in addition to the hdri light, I am using a disc light as the main light and a very tight spotlight as a rim light. I cut on bloom in the filters. It might be a little strong.
Are the panels emissive?
Yes - My main light is not quite there yet but if add too much power to my light then I get the dark area again.
Okay, I am going to consider this done. I think it ran out of time. It is only set to 7200 seconds. I will up it and render again overnight I guess. The only thing I am not sure about is the eyes
I always did it that you know there are (IIRC) 40 products per page, when you draw numbers, do the math (divide your total number of products, divide by 40, that tells you what page you're on and then count down whatever amount you had left over.) Easy. That way you don't have to keep up with when you buy new products, putting them in the list.
Next Random Draw
Enkil for Genesis 3 Male
The Slim Man
Intriguing Poses for Genesis Male
Urban Future 3
Converting urban future 3 to iray may be a little time consuming. We will see how it goes
Finally, got to work on this. I set it up in carrara instead of Studio at first because I am more comfortable in Carrara but the point of this exercise is to push my comfort zone. Below is the first Iray wip.
Edited - still have to set up Enkil. I used one of the intriguing poses on the Slim Man
Thank you! I am hoping to get a couple contests a month done starting in the new year so this will be most helpful.
Oh that's a good way too! I have ummm, a lot of stuff lol.