Refection object and / or shadow object only

[Thomo]

Hi,

Something I should know but. Does setting an object to shadow or reflection "only" help with render times?

 

If I have a lot of 3D plants am I better to render in passes than as all in one hit (assuming I have enough memory).

 

Like, set them to be shadow and / or reflection and then render another separate with just plants to comp later.

 

Something I should know but i'm up against a deadline and need to sort out a few problems.

 

Thanks,

[S. Houtzager]

I don't think it will save time.  I would group the plants into a set and exclude them from any GI that you have.  

[Thomo]

Yep good idea but they look pretty crap without GI.

Maybe if I exclude some of them could be the go!

Got me thinking now.

Thanks for the reply.

[S. Houtzager]

You could have a light just for those plants and give them a buffer shadow. You could check off the illumination or high light of that light if it gets too bright.

[Thomo]

Hmm yep hadn't thought of that! Thanks, good tip, I'll give it a try.