Tips and Tricks
How to save at least 50% 3D rendering time?
August 22, 2011
My 3D students often ask me how they can shorten their rendering time without cutting down on quality or rendering size.
Well, I’ve made a short video to demonstrate how you can immediately start using this technique and not only save tremendous amounts of rendering time, but also gain incredible control over your final results.
I’d love to hear you comments if you found this video useful, and if you’re using similar approaches in your own work!
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The power of simplicity
April 26, 2010
The Gallery by Dreamlight
When working on the Gallery model, I wasn´t trying to create an advanced prop. I´m more into lighting than modelling, so I had to choose a different route.
Often, we forget the power of simplicity. We aim high, we get discouraged and we quit. I don´t know how many projects or images I´ve discarded during the years. Why? Because I was simply aiming too high.
What, aiming for the best ain´t good then? Hold on, I´ll explain. Yes, you should aim high. Be good, be great and create wonders. But hold your hourses! Take small steps ahead. That´s where the magic happens. See, progress takes time. To walk a mile – you can´t just JUMP your way from A to B. You need to WALK each step. Same goes for art, creating content you wish to sell or frankly anything in life.
The Gallery by Dreamlight
So, back to the Gallery model. By looking at the renders, you might think: “Wow, that´s looks advanced!”. The truth is, I built the entire model by using simple primitives: cubes and cylinders. And that´s it – no fancy stuff in here! Just lots of patience…
No way! I have to tell you: Yes way! And that´s the power of simplicity. I´m not a modeller, yet I was able to pull this off. The lighting does the rest. Now, the next time you you aim high – use repeated simplicity to get there!
How to match CG with live footage
February 16, 2010
This process involves several steps. First of all, you need to match the camera. It´s position, angle and focal length. Then the lighting. Using HDRI is the best way to mimic real world lighting. Also, take note of where the sun is in your shot (or any other light sources for that matter). That´s what you can do in 3D. The rest is actually postworking with the layers.
You need to match the color-scale, brightness, contrast and softness. Live footage is often more fuzzy or blurry than 3D graphics. So you need to de-grade it so to speak. And add noise and imperfections. And that´s basically it!
How to speed up your workflow
February 16, 2010
There´s a saying: Don ´t rush a genious! Well, it´s the same for artists. We like our freedom, and we love see our art take form at our pace. But when working with a deadline around the corner, things suddently change. Yeah, things need to be done on time!
The way I approach such projects, is simply to cut corners. That´s something I´ve learned when working with movies and editing. How can things be made more simple? Do you need 10 camera angles or can you be creative with just one? Same goes for lighting. Radiosity is wonderful (bouncing lighting calculations), but will add to your render time. Fake it! That´s the best word I can come of. Fake it, and make it appear as it would be real. Substitute radiosity with a few spot lights or area lights that render 10 times faster. Use 2D elements instead of pure 3D when the viewer can´t notice.
When you´re re-rendering similar elements several times, render them once and replace them with a pre-rendered version that will ignore any lighting. Bake the lighting if possible.
It´s amazing how much you can get away with, by simply faking your way to a faster workflow. If it looks real, then who cares how it was done? Get creative, work with layers and make things as simple as possible.
