Starting from scratch with hard/software

sketch3d.de

Gimp is definitely where I will be heading for PP.

if you are evaluating software by feature lists than go for Gimp (= steep learning curve), if usability or a further use of existing PS knowledge or compatiblity with the pros does play any role for you, stay with PS.

JQL

You can also consider Krita. It seems it's just for matte painting but I've been trying it and in a lot of aspects it surpasses PS and Gimp together. It has 16/32 bit depth color channels and the layer filters alone will make anyone fall in love with it.

Basically with it you can use layers for non destructive image editing for things like:

Blur;
Deformations;
Levels and Curves;
Transparency Masks;
A lot more stuff that I've hadn't yet time to scratch...

It doesn't have the perspective clone, nor some clone/auto heal tools. But it's great for tonemapping and a lot of deformations.

arail1

I don't know about custom builders in England but in today's market I think you're looking for these specs, generally -

Intel Core i7 4790 4Ghz
Nvidia GTX 970 4gb
RAM: 16GB 1600MHz

In the US, a 15.6" rig from digitalstormonline with those components would be approx $2500 USD:

https://www.digitalstormonline.com/configurator.asp?id=1139209

As far as post work I'd consider a monthly Photoshop subscription - not too costly.

Then I would I would add a couple hundred to what you have left over and go with V-Ray. Somewhat of a steep learning curve but once you get there, there's nothing you can't do with it.

grizzler

I'm afraid that anything with a "steep learning curve" will be avoided as I'm just too busy to give them the time they deserve to get the best out of them. Often while I'm creating one model I have the next two or three jobs waiting for me already, so I seek efficiency rather than perfection when it comes to rendering and post processing - automated settings corrections are my best friend .

sketch3d.de

@grizzler said:

...so I seek efficiency rather than perfection when it comes to rendering and post processing - automated settings corrections are my best friend .

search no further, for easy peasy rendering click here.

Glenn at home

@sketch3d.de said:

search no further, for easy peasy rendering click here.

This is both good and bad. Good in as I was about to buy it and now it's free but bad in them no longer developing it.

sketch3d.de

@glenn at home said:

...now it's free but bad in them no longer developing it.

alternatively check the more capable but also easy useable Twilight Render with a free 'Hobby' version avail too.

JQL

if free is what you're into, then try Kerkythea too...

sketch3d.de

@jql said:

if free is what you're into, then try Kerkythea too...

which collides with the OPs:

@grizzler said:

...so I seek efficiency rather than perfection when it comes to rendering and post processing - automated settings corrections are my best friend .

pbacot

I'd say Twilight is closer to the OP's needs than Kerky or visualizer (I just DL'd Vis again but last time I tried it, it just wasn't good enough for more than enjoying a quick impression--great UI concepts though).

Glenn at home

@sketch3d.de said:

@glenn at home said:

...now it's free but bad in them no longer developing it.

alternatively check the more capable but also easy useable Twilight Render with a free 'Hobby' version avail too.

Thanks but I also have the full fersion of Maxwell. It is full to play with the different engines.

roland joseph

@unknownuser said:

Best Render Engine (must include ability to make video) -

Lumion is a hands-down choice if you are very busy modeling and need video and stills. It may be expensive but I don't know anyone with a copy that isn't booked solid. If you don't like it (can't find work) you can sell it back. It retains it's price. Pretty hard to loose. My copy of Lumion runs all day everyday and is capable of superior video and stills right out of the box. I nearly choked over the price but the selfish side of me says that a high entry fee amounts to less competition.

note: Lumion uses procedural texturing. They have a juicy library of stock substances and you can use free Algorythmic tools to build your own. If your models need rich custom textures then Lumion is a texture factory and procedural texturing is mind boggling.
Try the demo....fall in love....

pilou

The more funny without any regulates an real time and free and inside Sketchup (more said in the same time of Su) is now
Visulizer 1.3!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YL_S7pNknwM

and no so bad in Still images!

By Chippwalters (make the zoom )

pilou

Try also this free one : a Sketchup on stéroïds!
The best CAd ergonomy existing: Direct modeling inpired by SU of course!
DesignSpark (it has a SKetchup export skp!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_kIb-O4mcI