3ds Max 2009 - Photometric Lighting

[Don't Shoot]

Hi,

I need help
I having trouble adjusting to the new photometric lighting techniques requiered in the new version of max 2009.

The problem comes when I try to match my skills of lighting a space scene previsously done with the old projection lights of the previous editions and now when I use the same techniques I get awful results.

I prefer using the photometric light system because of its great potential and realism but I hadn't been able to create a convincing space scene with it.
The autodesk tutorial section offers only tutorials for creating an indoor or outdoor scenes on a planet surface but offers no clue to how to compose a worthy space scene.

If anyone has experimented more successfully than I did and willing to give tips or even a complete tutorial I'll be most grateful.

thanks.

[Melak]

As far as I know, and I may very well be wrong, shadows in space are pretty sharp, save for some indirect light reflected from a really close planet. What benefit could Photometric lights bring you in a space scene?

[Don't Shoot]

actually I'm intersted in this method not because the shadows applications but rather because they simulate light much better than any other max applications and normal lighting.
The shadows sharpness can be manipulated to look sharp but I can't get the realism level of lighting from normal light of 3ds max.

[spudmonkey]

Every lighting rig is going to be different for every scene. However, there is one major rule with photometrics which you cannot ignore, which is to make sure that all objects in your scene are realistically sized. If something is 3m long, then make it 3m long in Max.

[Melak]

I don't have max 2009, could you show a comparison between the standard max and the new, improved photometric lights?

[Don't Shoot]

Actually you can download a fully working 30 days trial from autodesk website and try it out - it's much improved from the others.

Anyway here is a scene setting I'm trying to make just so you can see the differences - as I said, I'm still figuring this think out so the results aren't the best but still you can see the differnces and obvious advantages of the photometric lighting system.

If anyone has anykind of suggestion or imput of what I did wrong in this scene setting I would apreciate it.

The images on the left are normal max lighting and on the right are photometric

[Melak]

Hmm. Still not sure I see the advantges but thanks, are you using the photometric exposure settings? (the right side looks a little overexposed to me)

[Darksteps]

while the results are better in renders, I also don't know how realistic they would be... however, for interiors of your starship, they could help with realism. And if you use IES lights, you can also add your own touch to the light using an IES Generator... there's a free one available here:

RIP 3D - Projectos 3D para Arquitectura - Fotorealismo

go to the FREE area and look for either IES GEN 4 or IES GEN 3... I prefer 3, but both are great and are freeware provided by the author...

Marcus "Darksteps" Eiland