Indirect Lighting

david57 · 21 Jun 2010, 06:55

Blender render,
Experimenting with the light being reflected from the cube on the shadow side. I didnt want to reflect to much, dont know how other render engines would do.

Roger · 21 Jun 2010, 07:18

Have you considered cheating? For instance, make some subtle changes in the color value of the shadow side wall. Paint it a very light gray. Or you could select that side and burn or dodge it in PS.

david57 · 21 Jun 2010, 22:46

Roger,
Have been thinking that the shadow side might be a little to dark. Im still trying out different settings. Ive seen examples on this forum where shadows look dark. Ive seen some from silver_shadow, freeagent, kwistenbiebel and even solo.

Darks are here:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=18949&hilit=freeagent
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=18928&hilit=freeagent

Light shadow examples here:
stinkie:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=28483
pmolson
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=26721&hilit=home

Roger · 22 Jun 2010, 06:37

Is this what you are looking for?

There are two ways (at least) to do this.

What you see is a modified HDRI approach in post processing. I made a light copy of your render, cut out the light shadow and pasted it on your original render.

An alternate method would be to build a large white wall just outside the left frame of the picture and let light from that wall bounce into the shadow.

honoluludesktop · 22 Jun 2010, 06:46

Roger, that's not cheating. IMO, no different from doing post processing

david57 · 23 Jun 2010, 01:51

Thanks, Roger,
Yes, that seems to look better. I like that contrast and it makes it look clean.
There is an option that comes with blender and its called Ambient Occlusion. I just have to increase it some. Another option is ambient color.

Below is another render with different settings. I think there is a bug with the Blender program (alpha version). There is a streak on the left side.
Also,had to change the grass.

david57 · 23 Jun 2010, 04:14

Update with tree trunk:

Roger · 23 Jun 2010, 08:58

Sometimes I like lost edges and sometimes I like to put lost edges back in as I have done here:

olishea · 23 Jun 2010, 10:53

its based on sun strength and GI/AO. generally if you increase sky strength the shadows will be paler. most of the dark shadow examples you have posted have been post processed. you can quickly add more contrast by dropping the shadows in curves/levels adjustments in photoshop. Sometimes you want to see details in the shadows, sometime you don't. It depends on the scene and the mood you are trying to achieve. Different hdri create different contrast too.

Another way of achieving paler shadows is a adding a large white (very pale grey) ground plane underneath your model (not sure if it applies to all render engines)

michaliszissiou · 23 Jun 2010, 16:30

@unknownuser said:

Another way of achieving paler shadows is a adding a large white (very pale grey) ground plane underneath your model (not sure if it applies to all render engines)

Has anybody else here tested this render engine? Its quite different.
Interesting renders david57, you should apply a texture, not just white walls.

olishea · 23 Jun 2010, 21:43

im guessing its not necessary in blender render! after seeing some of your stuff!!

david57 · 12 Jul 2010, 03:46

3rd render on the top.
Ive been trying to work with stone walls but a little to tough to figure them out.
Im using a blender material on a wall with uv's from SketchUp. There isnt much depth on the stone because its normal maps and not displacements.
The 4th on the top is displaced a little.