Another Re-imagined Enterprise

[MadKoiFish]

It creates some ok results but MR seems to manage proper reflection better, least I can adjust the light reflection and note the compression of reflections. My lights are basicly in the same positions so go fig. And scanline so far has nicer ambient (girls head)

Render times are better with MR too, depending on basic set up. These are 2:30 Scanline 1:01 Mental ray with FG calculations (less if using saved calculations prolly save 30sec or so) I havent found a happy set up for space scenes or WIP for ships. Got exelent examples for rooms and on planet lighting. Currently messing about with getting that traditional GI clay render look.
Scanline I could never get the deepest shadows black nor have that detail poping results without sh00ping things.

[tobian]

Hmm it's interesting: Neither seems to be quite right. Both reflections seem to be showing the objects being lit from some nebulous light source off to the left which doesn't appear in the scene, that I can see?!

I have no idea why the reflections are so funky for the MR example. Perhaps some sort of angle of incidence effect on the floor surface is bending the rays? Check the IOR for the surface is 1?

As a note, when making surfaces to be used with reflection, especially metals Diffuse+reflection=100% which is basically an 'energy conserving' surface. Set all your surfaces and gradients in both channels to be the exact opposite in both. That said paint finishes are often BRDF, I.e. multiple reflection coatings, which complicates issues

[MadKoiFish]

It could be the matrial used it wasnt the arct mats but some thing else with that metal lum thing for the reflections. Prolly the wrong method. All that is in the sceen is a skylight and a mr omni all the mats are default settings short of the blur etc. (it was DGS mat)

Itried doing the connie in Scanline with that blur and after 2 houts it had a tip of the nacel. MR with something similar was like 30min
Attached is 1 hour cause I ramped the AA up to the roof, and of course that is the answer to those barf panels in lower AA settings, love to find a way to speed that up but beh. Is nice though makes scanline clay look fail badly. Of course the materilas in the bussards are freaking out cause they arnt ment for MR

[tobian]

Gah 43 different types of surface, how confusing Not really sure what to recommend with regards to Mental Ray, as I have never used it, but things to try include, lower the 'ray recursion' for reflective materials to as low as is needed, you may only need 2-4 bounces at most. Also look at lowering the reflective samples for blurred reflection, but raise the AA. That's how I do it, but it may not work at all in MR.

[PixelMagic]

That's looking great. MR, is really a pain when it comes to AA, especially with gridlines. I have a friend who works at mental images, so I might bounce some ideas off him, and he may be able to get us the optimal settings.

He actually programed the Arch&Design materials, and they are great. I recommend using those. The are specifically designed to mimic real life surfaces.

[deg3D]

Lookin' good dude.

deg

[MadKoiFish]

Windows on the main hull!
ok I think my cold has me not paying attention to crap because these seem a bit to random. I think what I will do is remove a few of them to clean the flow up a bit. (sucks because it means work flushed but beh) I havent decide if Ill do any windows on the saucer rim. I most likely will in the end. Tempted to as well replace all the window maps with the ones that are just random doors and hall plates similar to what was used in the shuttle bay.
Ill be clearing attachments in the next few days. Last warning ;p

[Basajaun]

It's so beautiful. I specially like those nacelles and the deflector, they look amazing.

[PixelMagic]

Man, this looks so great. The windows really add alot. I also noticed some new detailing on the pylons and neck. Very nice work.

[tonyforever]

Are you going to put the ships Registry Number on the underside of the saucer like on the TOS ship or the TMP Ship? As well with the Nacelles?
-btw-
The windows on the secondary hull look fine.