Second attempt Maxwell Render + Sketchup

sexydevil01 · 14 Oct 2011, 07:38

I have been messing around for years with Form-Z, within the last few months I have got totally hooked on Sketchup & Maxwell. So here are my second attempt renders with Maxwell Render, i was on a deadline but i was really impressed with Maxwell. Still working on the night shot, I am not impressed with the lights reflecting back on the pool water surface. Any tips on this will be much appreciated. I am slowly moving away from Form-Z and now i find myself falling back on the powers of sketchup. Any C&C welcome.

davidh · 14 Oct 2011, 10:32

I would suggest you use a HDRI for the environment lighting,particularly for any late evening/early morning shots that include lights.The difference in lighting between using a HDRI and the standard environmental set up can be very dramatic.Also ,depending on the colour tones in the HDRI,you can get additional colours reflecting in the pool.The HDRI dosent have to be that large in file size to get a decent effect.

sexydevil01 · 14 Oct 2011, 14:43

Thanks... For the night scene I have used a HDRI for the environment lighting, maybe I need to try a different image or tweak the settings. I am still learning to use Maxwell I guess it is all a process of trial and error. I saw your 'sunset' post, pretty amazing

cadmunkey · 14 Oct 2011, 19:50

These look good, will be interested to see any new images if you take Davids advice and try some HDRIs. I remember trying Maxwell out a long, long time ago but it was far too slow back then for it to be a viable option for me. Whats it like these days, much improved I hope!

sexydevil01 · 15 Oct 2011, 13:51

Hi, Thank you. I am going to try Davids advice, will post images when ready. I am new to Maxwell but I am happy with the speeds, the above renders took about 2 hours per scene.

Bryan K · 18 Oct 2011, 04:06

Looking good!

sexydevil01 · 18 Oct 2011, 05:27

Thank you.

sexydevil01 · 21 Oct 2011, 07:33

David, thanks to your advise, I think I am getting there. Any C&C welcome.

davidh · 21 Oct 2011, 08:38

I think these are definitely more successful but if you have photoshop,you should increase the Curves in order to brighten up the images.Often I place a colour band layer in photoshop on my original render,blended using "soft light".
This has the effect of really pulling out the colours.This colour band can be also be used for indoor shots,particularly where you may have blank,white walls.It can make a big difference.

I have attached the colour band jpeg that I usually use,along with your barcelona image post processed.
The steps I used in post processing were:
1.Increased curves
2.Added the colour banding jpg,layer blended "softlight" 50%
3.Merged layers
4.Duplicated the image and used the pull down IMAGE/ADJUST/AUTO COLOUR).Then layer blended "Normal" 40%.

By the way,the compostion of the barcelona image works really,really well.
I hope this helps

sexydevil01 · 21 Oct 2011, 11:00

WOW , Thanks a million. This really helps & it does make a huge difference to the render. Thanks once again for sharing your knowledge.

Stevo · 24 Oct 2011, 16:10

Hi all. I've just joined the forum and have been checking out all the great work. I also was using Maxwell. A great compliment to Sketchup. Sadly the work-flow at the office doesnt play well with Maxwell as a result the long time it takes and the learning curve. I wish I had more time to devote to it. This was a project I did a few years ago. It was acually a development in Florida but these images suggest the Middle East or Africa theme. Thanks to whoever shared the Land Rover on the 3D warehouse. TheBrewery was another project in boston.

sexydevil01 · 25 Oct 2011, 03:38

Hi Stevo,

Welcome to the forum.

I like the render you posted, it is unfortunate that you cannot pursue with Maxwell. I personally am very pleased with Maxwell.

brodie · 25 Oct 2011, 20:07

Looks good. I've been using SU+Maxwell for a few years now and it's always good to see someone else catching the bug.

One tip I'd give you for the water would be to use a bump map so it's not quite so perfectly smooth. That'll distort those reflections a bit and add a lot of realism.

-Brodie

Stevo · 26 Oct 2011, 13:25

Hi All thanks for the comments. I think I'll try one more time to get the office to purchase the latest release. Are you guys using the new version? Hows the plugin work? Brodie, what water are you referring to? I like the idea a lot... I was thinking the image could use sand storm and wind, any ideas on how I could do that in Photoshop?

Stevo · 26 Oct 2011, 13:26

Heres the night image

Stevo · 26 Oct 2011, 13:32

Heres one of a brewery project I did for fun.

brodie · 26 Oct 2011, 14:23

@stevo said:

Hi All thanks for the comments. I think I'll try one more time to get the office to purchase the latest release. Are you guys using the new version? Hows the plugin work? Brodie, what water are you referring to? I like the idea a lot... I was thinking the image could use sand storm and wind, any ideas on how I could do that in Photoshop?

I was referring to the OP's pool water, particularly the 2nd rendering in his first post.

-Brodie

Stevo · 26 Oct 2011, 21:15

All this stuff got me hot for more Maxwell. Seems I have good timing; the boss is in a good mood, can you say upgrade, yeah!