@unknownuser said:

Yes, the stupid software lock-in! The same with AutoCAD! Yesterday I installed 3ds Max 2015 just to test it - what a bloated and slow program! It takes ages to load, occupies about 600 MB of ram at the start and above all You can't resize the UI font - it is so small and practically unusable!

Try change the Max console from dark grey to light grey. Makes a big difference on readability. I really like the dark grey, its like Photoshop, but it's more difficult to read text and see the buttons.

Yes, start up is painfully slow, but software companies are assuming we have Flash memory (or SSD) or working towards it...cos to be honest, HD's are so yesterday. I have a hard-drive but hope to get Flash memory with next computer...then start-up will be fast.

@andybot said:

Take it easy Barry, courtesy is a two-way street... Don't expect something for nothing.

Looks like you've made plenty of progress in your mastery of vray. Congrats!

Thanks, Andybot. I should also like to give you the thumbs up
Cos you have helped me alot... not just directly, but indirectly reading other peoples threads who were in need and following your advice. Thanks

@jonfar said:

very nice render

have you worked with VRay for Sketchup before that?

i ask because i am learning VRay4Skup, and before that i tried VRay in Cinema 4D and also in 3DS Max (demos), and it seemed waaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy harder (to learn AND to work with), so i chose VRay4Skup

do you have the same opinion?

I have spent the last three months learning Vray for SU. Like you I have experiemented with lots of software. Vray for SU is easily the most intuitive

It's easy to be comfortable with Sketchup. I love it. I only discovered it a few years ago and I have not looked back. But, the whole professional system demands 3Ds Max and since I want to work mainstream in CG I have to go down that road. Talking to architecture students online they say they are force fed 3Ds Max and have to learn it, but they all do their projects in SU and Vray cos it's faster and less hassle.

My advice to you is: HDRi. If you want good renders you have to get good HDRi's and very good materials. I don't like the SU Sun and Sky shadows. It makes the renders look artificial. Also, all my models in the scene are 3Ds Models which tend to be much better detailed and render really nicely. But, they are much more high maintenance and require more patience to manipulate and place.

This is my first render with Vray for Sketchup. I will probably change my workflow now knowing the strengths and weaknesses of the software out there. Sketchup...3ds Max...Vray...Photoshop seems the best solution. But, coming from Sketchup into 3Ds is intimadating. I feel I will have to start again and re-learn everything

It took me several months to get to this point though. I feel I have just scratched the surface of what's possible and it was a real up hill struggle trying to get information from people. In the end it was Vray Chaosgroup who were the most helpful.

I want to say a big thankyou to all the Blogs out there that gave me "zero" help. I won't mention names but they are apparently too busy selling their own products or working hard advertising other peoples. You live and learn but Blogs for me are about self promotion and creating revenue. Honest communication seems to be low on their agenda.

Come on guys... courtesy costs nothing!!

@jiminy-billy-bob said:

I'm pretty sure I saw someone from Chaos Group posting that it is a limitation from the demo. Though I can't find this post anymore.

What you're refering to in the release notes is that before this release, there were numerous channels that were not yet supported by VfS. A lot of people were confused because these channels rendered black. So they don't display them anymore, until they're supported.

Yes, your right. The fully licensed Vray has the ability to individually render channels in the VFS. But, the demo version hides this feature and you can only render Diffuse & alpha channels.

@massimo said:

Buy some of these (check the "wood floors" and the "wood boards") and you'll be a happy man. You will receive as a gift some nice scratches&dents bump maps.

Okay, thanks, I will check them out...

@stefanq said:

Check this old post:
http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=322%26amp;t=41046

Thanks... I already read this thread. In fact, I wrote you a private message because of what you wrote in the thread.... to clarify your advice.

While Arroway textures are very good, I am not impressed by the floors. Being an interior designer I don't use Arroway type floors in the real world... I use broad plank, where the width of the boards are 15-20cm wide and 2m long. The Arroway floors are too choppy and busy and lack the simplicity I desire. Re-claimed floors that are distressed and aged look alot better than new floors... but how do I achieve this with Arroway... don't think I can without NORMAL MAPS that would show the imperfections.

Apart from Arroway, are there any other floor packs with maps out there?

@andybot said:

yes, specular goes in the perpendicular slot of Fresnel. Don't know about invert, it depends on the map. White is more reflective, black is less. Yes, you should reduce the glossy reflection value to get a more realistic reflection.
I only typically use bump, haven't tried the others.

Thanks Andy, reliable as ever...
I am after this type of effect (see image) when it comes to reflections.

I don't no why Arroway don't do NORMAL MAPS because they contain all the little dents, scratches and imperfections that really make wood come to life. Arroway woods are too clean and perfect for my liking. I want to create floors with 'wear and tear' .... slightly aged.

Other than Arroway and Rendertextures, do you know where I can get floors with maps?

Where to place 'Specular' BITMAPS. Big question....
Because everyone has a different answer! Hopefully I can finally nail this issue.

Please look at Page1, page2, page3 enclosed.
This is where I (assume) you put ARROWAY Maps.
It's the SPECULAR map that I find conflicting info on.

Page 1
I create a reflection layer and put SPEC MAP into the perpendicular FRESNAL.
I also put SPEC MAP into HLIGHT LAYER & REFLECT LAYER.

Page 2
I invert the texture and alpha channel in the fresnal???
Don't know if I should do this but I read it somewhere.

Page 3
Using other (non-arroway) materials that have NORMAL MAPS.
Where do I place the Normal Bump Map in the (pull-down menu)
It reads the foll0wing catagories:

Bump
Tangent Space
Camera space
World Space
Local Space
Explicit Normals

Any help would be appreciated

@dkendig said:

There are new tutorials for our public beta that started today!
http://www.chaosgroup.com/en/2/vrayforsketchup_beta.html

Lynda.com have a tutorial course: "Vray for Sketchup" which is the best video I have seen explaining how to go about things. It is simple and clear... unlike some of the videos from ChaosGroup, where it's hard to understand the accents of the teachers.