Possible render engines round-up

remus · 1 Jun 2008, 21:47

Hi guys, i was just thinking of doing a big post with loads of info about all the different render engines (advantages, disadvantages, main features, general terminology etc.) as a reference for people new to rendering.

I was just wondering if this would be useful for anyone? wouldnt want to waste a lot of effort only for no one to use it...

p.s. it would probably require a few other people to contribute, as i dont know a lot about a lot of the render engines (i could probably do podium, indigo and maxwell but thats about it really )

so what do you all think?

kwistenbiebel · 1 Jun 2008, 21:53

I understand the wish to do this...but I am afraid it will end up in an endless discussion.
And the conclusion will be: the render engine is only as good as the person who controls it.

juju · 1 Jun 2008, 21:55

You might want to add a few to the list:

Kerkythea
POV-Ray
V-Ray
Renderplus
Artlantis
Gelato (via the Blender to Gelato exporter, nVidia GFX cards only)

+++ EDIT +++
I agree with what kwistenbiebel says, we've seen these types of arguments on these forums.

Stinkie · 2 Jun 2008, 04:12

Yeah. Let's all have cockails instead.

solo · 2 Jun 2008, 04:16

I agree with y'all, lets not do this again.

Render apps are like diets, the ones that work the best are the ones you can adapt to and follow through with and enjoy.

Gaieus · 2 Jun 2008, 05:17

Why?

I want to know which the best renderer is!

You guys always start quarrelling instead of constructively put the truth together!

remus · 2 Jun 2008, 05:17

I dont want to try and say if one is better than the other though, i just want to be able to look at a list and say 'ah, i see, xyz renderer is good for caustics, thatll be useful for me'

Basically i wasnt thinking of making the thread at all speculative, just cold hard facts.

Stinkie · 2 Jun 2008, 05:29

lol. You'll find yourself in the middle of a sh*t storm faster than you can say "gee, what's up with these people?".

We're just lookin' out for ya.

kwistenbiebel · 2 Jun 2008, 05:33

Yes, we DO love you so much

Gaieus · 2 Jun 2008, 05:34

Remus,

Haven't you read those dozen of topics where they indeed started such discussions?

There's no way these guys can talk about this in a decent manner!

solo · 2 Jun 2008, 05:36

We are like 10 year olds discussing which super hero is the best ... you never gonna win.

Gaieus · 2 Jun 2008, 05:39

Now you put it right (don't you have kids?)

Exactly!

remus · 2 Jun 2008, 05:51

Lol, looks like is a no-goer then, back to the toy cars.

Frederik · 2 Jun 2008, 08:00

@remus said:

I dont want to try and say if one is better than the other though, i just want to be able to look at a list and say 'ah, i see, xyz renderer is good for caustics, thatll be useful for me'

Even if you ask for a specific render application, someone else will eventually drop a note about another render application...

I'd say that you already know the list of various available render applications... So all you have to do is to download them, try them out and see which one you grasp the easiest...
(If they're not free, they all have at least a trial version...)

And the following is taken from another thread...

@pav_3j said:

i think to key is to not run before you can walk.

test every setting on your renderer out, using a few models, and i mean EVERY setting, that way you will learn all the features.

i think that remus has been doing this? correct me if i am wrong.

trial and error, that is the key.
oh and also, if there is a term you don't understand, then look it up straight away.
i started my own little glossary in a word document, with the name of the term, a quick description, and (most importantly) a link to where i got the imformation for my future reference.

And you have even put it very nicely yourself...

@remus said:

...every now and then set yourself a target, like learn to use a certain feature, this way you'll get a really good understanding of soem features.

oh, and have fun.

And finally some words of wisdom from a Master...

@unknownuser said:

And finally you must realize having the tools does not make one a carpenter, meaning that there is a level of artistic talent and desire needed in order to set up a scene, composition, lighting, texturing, modeling, and so forth that requires one to have a genuine interest and find much enjoyment in what one is doing in order to succeed.

So... Enjoy and have lots of fun...

dazza · 2 Jun 2008, 10:31

@solo said:

We are like 10 year olds discussing which super hero is the best ... you never gonna win.

Aaahhh, the good ol' days.