BJMonkey

Doesn't that add 4 extra polygons per page though?

Doesn't that add 4 extra polygons per page though?

I'd like to have a "like" button for the forums.

I'd like to have a "like" button for the forums.

If it will be composed onto a background, I will need to see the final composition to say whether it looks realistic or not. With a real table to compare it to visually can make a big difference.

If it will be composed onto a background, I will need to see the final composition to say whether it looks realistic or not. With a real table to compare it to visually can make a big difference.

I think, left against a black background, it's good enough. I may antialias it though, but I assume it has a mask?

I think, left against a black background, it's good enough. I may antialias it though, but I assume it has a mask?

First and foremost, I would like to say this is amazing... I have to say, personal taste tells me I actually really enjoy the look of the noise from low ray-count in the renders :D Also, adding a tiny bit of Sub Surface Scattering would really bring the columns that little bit more realism... But sometimes EIAS's implementation can be a little tricky to get the right effects. As for your sculpting, that is superb... I love seeing people making real sculptures still... But, you have to try learning pixologic's Z-Brush. Your comment about 'there's no way I could make this digitally' kinda made me cringe a little :P A quick google brought up a Z-Brush sculpt... and tutorial! http://www.scott-eaton.com/2008/upcoming-tutorial If you can sculpt like this with clay... With a little practise, you could be making things even better, more quickly, the digital way... Look at me sounding like a sales-man. :blush:

Cool, you understand now? Would that be a nice feature for version 9? Or is that far too late by now? :D

You mean add the reflection map to each object individually? But what if you want to change the reflection on all of the objects at once, but keep the blur amount different? You have to change each one manually, right? I frequently test different reflection maps to see which one looks best, and it can be quite tiresome changing each object's reflection each time. Something like the attatched would be cool...

Yes, I would like to use the blur in Electric Image. This yields more control and flexibility (if slower rendering times... but I love the flexibility :D) And what I have been doing to fake blurred reflections, is to add the same reflection map to each reflective object and then blur each one, as each object requires varying levels of blur. Problem is, if I decide to use a different reflection map, I have to change it in every object I added it to, which can get a bit laborious. So it would be nice if each reflective object referenced the global map, but could set its own blur, strength, samples etc. on that referenced map. Do you get what I mean?

Oh, yes I understand block distance. But if I were to use 2 lights which were each the same size as the window, that removes the block distance calculation required when using only a single light. So my mind told me that it would be faster to use 2 lights and no blocking. But yeah, I have used block distance a few times and it makes a considerable difference :) I look forward to seeing the other additions you have made with the new systems :D

Cool, thanks, that's good to know.. The reason I asked is because I generally use 2 lights thinking it's faster because it removes the block calculation. It was nothing about artistic-ness in this case, just speed :)