What is your favorite Photorealistic Renderer?
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Kerkythea was also the rendering app I started with back some who knows how many years ago. I am still grateful for that program to the developers as I had no idea about rendering at all and this freebie allowed me to get familiar with the whole concept at least. It is also a very powerful renderer and should not be looked at as a "cheap" crap just because it is free.
If you go along a bit easier route and try Twilight for instance (suggested by Frederik) or any of those "integrated" renderers, they are easier to start with however. As an admin, I should not really "suggest" any one particularly here though (I have already been scolded for being too enthusiastic about some of the apps - and probably rightfully so).
Integrated renderers have many advantages:
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easier to get used to them (the UI is within SketchUp)
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most of the times they are "simple" enough for a beginner
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whenever you change something in the model or in the rendering settings, you do not need to export the stuff again (this is important when learning and having to keep tweaking the model)
However there are some drawbacks, too, e.g. -
you are always confined to the SU environment which means you cannot really use many high-poly plants and other entourage (there are different tricks and workarounds with different applications here though),
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many of the renderers are now large address aware but that still means you are confined to a 32 bit application (SU and anything running inside) in a 64 bit environment thus limiting RAM
@Frederik: he can try the trial of Twilight but with the trial version, he cannot export to Kerkythea.
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@gaieus said:
@Frederik: he can try the trial of Twilight but with the trial version, he cannot export to Kerkythea.
That's true... However, it will enable him to check out a fairly easy "build-in" render application and if he decide to purchace a license, it's a great combo with KT as studio render, providing the opportunity to use instances and more...
Like you said yourself... It allowed you (and many others) to get familiar with the whole concept...
Most of the terms used in KT is identical for all render applications (or should be)... -
in the very right order IMO:
Twilight
Thea
Kerkythea
Vray
...But far before the others I'd say twilight because you get no boring on exporting your model and no endless material setup! -
@frederik said:
@gaieus said:
@Frederik: he can try the trial of Twilight but with the trial version, he cannot export to Kerkythea.
That's true... However, it will enable him to check out a fairly easy "build-in" render application and if he decide to purchace a license, it's a great combo with KT as studio render, providing the opportunity to use instances and more...
Of course I agree (says still trying to remain unbiased)
In fact, files exported from Twilight to Kerky can even be opened in Thea with much success...
@unknownuser said:
Like you said yourself... It allowed you (and many others) to get familiar with the whole concept... Most of the terms used in KT is identical for all render applications (or should be)...
Yes, exactly. Who the heck would know about specular maps and procedural materials without exploring it?
(I have tried to make an interview with Giannis so many time but he keeps being reluctant saying this kind of publicity is not for him...)
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Hi,
Let's see...
- Kerkytkea
- Kerkythea and I believe that's another, oh, yeah:
- Kerkythea
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@unknownuser said:
How are these at animation....do they have a video studio?
Nope... Not one of them...
Then again, with exception of Vue (where I admit my knowledge is very limited), I can't think of any render app. having it's own video studio...
Users tend to have their own personal preferences and use other applications for the video creation itself - from the free VirtualDub to the more expensive and advanced studios like Adobe, Sony Vegas, Hitfilm etc... -
I think that having support for some video format could be a nice feature (for easy youtube / vimeo production). Still I'd prefer to use a specialized program for any larger video projects (It's a bit hard to see how a render studio could work as a video studio, while it's rendering, unless they are separate programs).
There are some good free alternatives available for video production. -
I truly appreciate all the great comments and suggestions. Now I want to download several and try them out.
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Don't forget to try Octaine as well..
I like it for it's speed.
Maybe you won't find everything you want in 1 sole renderer? It's good to have multiple renderers...
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@jolran said:
Maybe you won't find everything you want in 1 sole renderer? It's good to have multiple renderers...
And it is even better to have a renderer that can do a lot more than just render
I use LightWave3D as external renderer, and for modelling/adding objects that I couldn't possible make/add inside SU itself. As well as animation and instancing. Twilight works nice too, but then you're limited to what fits inside SU, and the control of materials is a bit limited inside SU. -
Lightwave you say. Heh, take some time getting into. Powerful though. Prefered XSI when there was a foundation version, doing that kinda things.
I think Svasilion was looking for relatively simple and not to so expensive solution.
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Maybe also Light Up
[flash=560,315:w0cwsp4z]http://www.youtube.com/v/Us7JGLK_5Nc[/flash:w0cwsp4z]
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@unknownuser said:
Maybe also Light Up
No offense meant, but the original post said...
@svasilion said:
My photorealistic lighting/rendering needs include both interior and exterior views/animations. I have been looking at a number of different photorealistic rendering and photorealistic video rendering software programs. What's your favorite and why?
Although I acknowledge many strength with Light Up, I don't see it being particular photo realistic...
So... I feel my initial post still remain...@frederik said:
My suggestion/recommondation...
All render applications have a demo versions available...
I suggest you download the demo version, play around with it and make your decision based on you own observations......take a look at the Render application Home pages thread...
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I'm continuing to enjoy and appreciate the comments being offered. Yes, I'm looking for something not too expensive and without too steep a learning curve... my renderings augment/supplement my work as an architect; I am not a professional renderer. So, something that notches up my quality would be useful. So far, I've downloaded Shaderlight and am testing it out for their two-week trial period.
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@unknownuser said:
I don't see it being particular photo realistic.
Why not? Depending of what photo realistic level you place the target !
Seems sufficient for many uses. -
@unknownuser said:
Why not? Depending of what photo realistic level you place the target !
Seems sufficient for many uses.I can agree to this, and like I said...
@frederik said:
No offense meant...
and further...
@frederik said:
Although I acknowledge many strength with Light Up...
LightUp sure has improved significantly over the past year...
However, no-where I've seen Adam trying to promote his great application as being photo realistic...@unknownuser said:
Add a 3D backdrop in the form of a Skybox or HDR Panorama images to situate your model in a realistic surrounding. Use SketchUp Scenes tabs to author a scripted navigation around your model or take manual control and walk around your model to get a realistic sense of how your lighting works.
My personal understanding of photo realistic renders are what Thea, Twilight, Kerkythea, Vray, Fryrender, Indigo, Maxwell and a few other render applications are capable of making...
But that's perhaps just my personal preference...!?LightUp sure can make some great renders, but there's so many other render applications in the list I posted, which can do the same...
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V-RAY
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my favorite for biased render is Vray, Unbiased is Thea. Quck Lighting study is Light up. In the end you should be the one trying them. Its like going to shopping center with ideas but in the end its the one that fits you that matters.
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@nomeradona said:
...Its like going to shopping center with ideas but in the end its the one that fits you that matters.
Or rather it's like going for shopping with a wife; eventually you end up with a bunch of things you would have never thought you needed them.
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