How to access IRay Surface Parameters

marble

I know that I can tweak IRay in the Surfaces tab but I notice that sometimes there are parameters present that are not in other materials and vicer-versa. Is there a way to see all of the IRay parameters - even those that are not being used?

Here's an example from the Nylon Pantyhose product whcih has some paramaeters that I have never seen before. Is it possible to see those parameters with any other product loaded?

barbult

If you look at the top of the Surfaces pane in your screenshot, you can see that the surface is using a custom shader "Nylon Pantyhose - Gradient", not Iray Uber.

marble

barbult said:

If you look at the top of the Surfaces pane in your screenshot, you can see that the surface is using a custom shader "Nylon Pantyhose - Gradient", not Iray Uber.

 

Ah - ok. So the artist can create custom surface parameters? Or is there a full set and they choose which to include in their custom shader? 

barbult

There is a thing called Shader Mixer that lets people build shaders from MDL building blocks. It is too complicated for me. I can't tell you more about it.

marble

barbult said:

There is a thing called Shader Mixer that lets people build shaders from MDL building blocks. It is too complicated for me. I can't tell you more about it.

Yeah, I looked at that once and ran away screaming. The Blender node system is too much for me but, for some reason, I am quite happy using the IRay Surfaces tab. I'm told by the Blender fans that the node system is easier once you get used to it but I haven't yet given it the time and effort.

margrave

marble said:

I know that I can tweak IRay in the Surfaces tab but I notice that sometimes there are parameters present that are not in other materials and vicer-versa. Is there a way to see all of the IRay parameters - even those that are not being used?

Here's an example from the Nylon Pantyhose product whcih has some paramaeters that I have never seen before. Is it possible to see those parameters with any other product loaded?

The properties you see in the Surfaces tab are just a graphical representation of a node setup in the Shader Mixer. In theory, somebody can create whatever shader they want in there. It's pretty much the exact same thing as Blender's Shader Editor. I think the main thing keeping people away is the lack of proper documentation for the post-3Delight era.

margrave

Here's a simple shader I made to create godrays. Everything in the "User Parameters" tab will be exposed as properties in the Surfaces tab. The Uber shader is exactly the same thing, except...

...a tad more complicated.

I've documented what I've discovered so far in this thread:

https://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/505581/the-shader-mixer-deciphered-blender-to-daz-conversion/p1

marble

Thanks @margrave ... at least I now have an idea where those parameters originate. I don't think I will be diving into the depths of shader mixing anytime soon, though. As I said, the Blender node system scares me and the IRay version looks every bit as daunting. It isn't just the connections, it is actually knowing what all of those nodes do and what might happen if you connect one to another. I guess that for some that would be a fun exercise - spending hours/days/months experimenting with connections and values - but I'll just pay my few $$ and buy shaders I think.

j cade

marble said:

Thanks @margrave ... at least I now have an idea where those parameters originate. I don't think I will be diving into the depths of shader mixing anytime soon, though. As I said, the Blender node system scares me and the IRay version looks every bit as daunting. It isn't just the connections, it is actually knowing what all of those nodes do and what might happen if you connect one to another. I guess that for some that would be a fun exercise - spending hours/days/months experimenting with connections and values - but I'll just pay my few $$ and buy shaders I think.

As someone who uses both, the DS shader mixer is *waaaaay* more painful than Blender's.

 

But figuring out how to bash it into doing something I want 100% sparks joy for me. But I have come to understand not everyone is into fiddling around to figure out technical stuff. on an emotional level I don't understand it, but I do accept it.

marble

j cade said:

marble said:

Thanks @margrave ... at least I now have an idea where those parameters originate. I don't think I will be diving into the depths of shader mixing anytime soon, though. As I said, the Blender node system scares me and the IRay version looks every bit as daunting. It isn't just the connections, it is actually knowing what all of those nodes do and what might happen if you connect one to another. I guess that for some that would be a fun exercise - spending hours/days/months experimenting with connections and values - but I'll just pay my few $$ and buy shaders I think.

As someone who uses both, the DS shader mixer is *waaaaay* more painful than Blender's.

 

But figuring out how to bash it into doing something I want 100% sparks joy for me. But I have come to understand not everyone is into fiddling around to figure out technical stuff. on an emotional level I don't understand it, but I do accept it.

Oddly, it is the kind of thing that would have got my juices going when I was working in computer and network support but somehow this hobby has re-kindled my artistic side and the techie stuff holds little interest. I just want to make my pictures look the way I imagine them. I won't call it art because that, in my own mind, would be an insult to real artists but as a hobbyist I'm like the old man painting watercolours as a pastime, not the budding Lucien Freud (my favourite painter, by the way).