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Am I missing the point on the new volumetric rendering?

decimalpoint999decimalpoint999 Posts: 26
in Daz Studio Discussion

So I downloaded the new 4.20 version of DS, excited to try out the new volumetric rendering.

First off, got to say, there is shockingly little info on how to even use this new feature. After doing a bit of digging learnt about VDB files, but I think I'm missing the point somewhere along the way. 

Ok. I downloaded an example VDB from here https://jangafx.com/software/embergen/download/free-vdb-animations/. It was the Gasoline Explosion (131 Frames).

I created the Sphere primitive in DS and applied the Simple OpenVDB MDL Volume shader to the Sphere. Then in surfaces, under volumes open one of the .vdb files. I've played around with the setting, but all I get is a white cloud. Looks nothing like the one from the VDB download site. What am I doing wrong?

I've attached my pitiful effort. 

Render.png
1000 x 1000 - 138K

Comments

  • PetraPetra Posts: 1,154

    I do not even know how to use it at all.

    I have a shader preset in a Folder called Volumetric * I think * but that does nothing.

    If I apply it to a sphere, the whole thing disappears.

    Loaded VDB's, free ones, but no clue where to put them or how to open or import them.

    I wish there were tutorials to follow.:(

  • stevenrobertsstevenroberts Posts: 8

    How did you load the .vdb files? I grabbed the implosion cloud from jangafx but there is NO DOCUMENTATION avaailable on utilizing .vdb files gettin tired of Daz shennanigans Im going back to unreal engine 

  • RuntuRuntu Posts: 98

    Wow, can't believe there are no tutorials on this, it sounds great but miss information about it all over the place....I am not sure but I don't think we actually install those freebies from jangafx, just place them in a folder and then add them in the Volume area....again unsure but gonna test a bunch later

  • Eustace ScrubbEustace Scrubb Posts: 2,698

    Runtu said:

    Wow, can't believe there are no tutorials on this, it sounds great but miss information about it all over the place....I am not sure but I don't think we actually install those freebies from jangafx, just place them in a folder and then add them in the Volume area....again unsure but gonna test a bunch later

    Doesn't surprise me.  For my part, I've been using Daz Studio off and on since '05, when it was nothing but pre-release Public Beta, version 0.xx.x or whichever.  New features have always preceded their documentation by months or more.

  • stem_athomestem_athome Posts: 518

    decimalpoint999 said:

    I created the Sphere primitive in DS and applied the Simple OpenVDB MDL Volume shader to the Sphere. Then in surfaces, under volumes open one of the .vdb files. I've played around with the setting, but all I get is a white cloud. Looks nothing like the one from the VDB download site. What am I doing wrong?

    The VDB is loading at a different orientation/location to a default primitive, so will be trimmed. 

    For your example:-

    In DS:

    Create > new primitive > Cube: origin = object center, and a size of 3m

    Rotate the cube by -90 on X

    Load the VDB file, increase Density modifier (try 5)

     

    Daz should of added transform to the node(brick) system, but did not.

     

  • IceCrMnIceCrMn Posts: 2,129

    Runtu said:

    Wow, can't believe there are no tutorials on this, it sounds great but miss information about it all over the place....I am not sure but I don't think we actually install those freebies from jangafx, just place them in a folder and then add them in the Volume area....again unsure but gonna test a bunch later

    Here's a video tutorial by one of the Daz PA's that does other tutorials and live streams for them.

    https://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/comment/7332301/#Comment_7332301

    The implementation for Studio is very basic right now. Blender's is much more feature complete.

    Jay's tutorial will get you started with what we have to work with at the moment.

    He also covers the ground fog atmosphere effect in the same video.

    Yes, you will need to download the VDB sample files from OpenVDB website.Daz currently doesn't have any except for the one that comes in the new "To the Moon Bundle"

    OpenVDB site

    https://www.openvdb.org/

    To The Moon Bundle

    https://www.daz3d.com/to-the-moon-bundle

    That first thread I linked says you can make them in other software and use them in Studio if you know how and want to.

     

     
  • decimalpoint999decimalpoint999 Posts: 26

    stem_athome said:

    decimalpoint999 said:

    I created the Sphere primitive in DS and applied the Simple OpenVDB MDL Volume shader to the Sphere. Then in surfaces, under volumes open one of the .vdb files. I've played around with the setting, but all I get is a white cloud. Looks nothing like the one from the VDB download site. What am I doing wrong?

    The VDB is loading at a different orientation/location to a default primitive, so will be trimmed. 

    For your example:-

    In DS:

    Create > new primitive > Cube: origin = object center, and a size of 3m

    Rotate the cube by -90 on X

    Load the VDB file, increase Density modifier (try 5)

     

    Daz should of added transform to the node(brick) system, but did not.

     

    Thanks. This did help. Although it still just looks like a cloud of white smoke. I'm guessing this feature might need fleshing out a bit more before it's properly usable. 

  • decimalpoint999decimalpoint999 Posts: 26

    Petra said:

    I do not even know how to use it at all.

    I have a shader preset in a Folder called Volumetric * I think * but that does nothing.

    If I apply it to a sphere, the whole thing disappears.

    Loaded VDB's, free ones, but no clue where to put them or how to open or import them.

    I wish there were tutorials to follow.:(

    Just to let you know. 

    Apply the Simple OpenVDB MDL Volume shader to an object. Yep. It disappears.

    Then under the Surfaces tab expand the objects surfaces out, and select the Volume node. You should then see a Volume File option. Just select browser and load a .vdb file. Alter the density multiplier for the desired effect. That’s pretty much all you can do at the moment.

    I’ve attached an example. You need to download the Gasoline Explosion from here:

    https://jangafx.com/software/embergen/download/free-vdb-animations/

    Just use one of those .vdb files. I used 72 in my example. 

    duf
    duf
    example.duf
    21K
  • RuntuRuntu Posts: 98

    You know, I followed Jay's tutorial and it was great, however, not sure why my image looks so pixelated, not smooth smoke....Any suggestions?  Greatly appreciated.

  • Richard HaseltineRichard Haseltine Posts: 100,837

    There is a much longer thread, with a lot of information, here https://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/548791/volumetric-effects-in-daz-studio#latest

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