Hi Majid!
I've the same sensation for the renders I do..
There's always something that seems to be missing, what you call SOUL..
I noticed that architecture images are usually desaturated a little, so try that first of all..
Then, i discovered the SHARPEN filter of Photoshop a month ago, and i can say that it slightly increases realism sometimes: perhaps you can try playing a little with its parameters!
Just make some postproduction work, and show us a before/after comparison: i'm pretty sure you will notice improvements too!

And obviously, if you find something interesting, share your tips

Hi guys! I posted this work of mine in the Indigo forum, but since all models and scene setup are made in SketchUp, no reason for not to post it here too!
So, basically this scene has been done in my spare time: it took like 4-5 hours to set up the scene and about 1 hour for the SkIndigo materials' setup. I started to model the room inspired by the Arroway scene everybody knows, then i started adding objects and I ended up with this. I think I'll keep this scene as a standar mat test scene for floors materials..

It's still a WIP guys, so don't be afraid to suggest things such as material variations, camera adjustments, postpro works, etc!!!

Oh: the scene cooked for about 8 hours (night time ) on a Q6600 machine, 2GB RAM; original res.1500x1500

Hi Radiance!
I can't wait to see an exporter for LuxRender!!!
Contacting Master Whaat seems a reasonable tip to me, as he developed a quite good exporter to Indigo
I'd be happy to give you any scene you need: I'm a perfectionist, and I'm pretty convinced that my geometries aren't affected by normals issues or something, so they're ready to render, somewhat..
I usually model archviz scenes, so basically buildings..
Do you need interior or exterior scenes?

Good luck Radiance and thanks!

Hi all guys!
I read here, and i feel like this topic is getting a little hotter: i actually think rcossoli had a nice idea to shoot this poll. Actually, it's SO true what Edson say too: there's no best render engine, but there's one we prefer 'cos it's easy for us to use and 'cos we get good outputs out of that. So, i think the poll main question is to be taken personally (as for every other personal test question: don't you agree? ).
The other idea about rendering the same scene with different engine is really exciting, in my opinion. Not to be picky on other render engines, of course (nobody here in this forum would ever badly despise someone else's work: it's a fair and kind forum, really, and it's good): i'd use the comparison to say "Oh look how kerky does good grass and trees" or "See? podium is really fast and manages bump maps very well" or "that environmental skylight of indigo works really fine". So next time i have to render a scene, i can start with picking the render engine i find able to handle my scene the best way.On the other hand, should be very interesting to see differences between materials' parameters. Nobody would insert the same bump value for the same diffuse plaster, for example, and could be interesting for me to see what would have come out if i used a stronger bump.

I think it's a really good idea.

+1 from me

I checked Indigo, by the way

Does anybody have any chance to contact Nick Chapman, or Whaat, directly? perhaps they have some up-to-date news about the forum situation!

...
ok Kwisten: thank you for redirecting me..

Hi all guys!I'm a SketchUp and Indigo user and fan (i'd say a SkIndigo user, but someone could misunderstand me...). It's been two days now, and the old good Indigo site seems to be a little....how to say....OFFLINE?!?!?
Somebody has some news?

Hi Richard!
Impressive tests, i must say!
But, tell us: i once tried maxwell's displacement capabilities, but the result was indeed very odd. Then i read that the displaced surface had to be subdivided into smaller triangles for maxwell to displace it properly. Has it been fixed, maybe? Or you simply subdivided you roof surface a little bit?
I think some SU screenshots would help a lot!
Thanks!

Yeah: thank you so much solo!
Hope i can give you a help back, sooner or later!

..er..sorry..
But doesn't the "PURGE UNUSED" option in MODEL INFO->STATISTICS just the same?

Not at all Solo! Alienscapes are intriguing and fascinating! The only thing is that the often count so much on the atmosphere you give them, so i really think the winning program for this aim is vue!! Kepp posting, please!

Hi all! Not a revolutionary post at all: i just wanted to share a picture which come out after a little playing with Maxwell's new sun/sky parameters. Greetings for everyone from Pibuz Prime!

Hi remus! I knew about Spray tool, but it copies elements sort of randomly, when i want to copy them in exact positions (i said "chairs" as a mere exemple here: i don't have any chair to copy around ). Gonna try pilou solution: thanks mate!

Thank you all for the very quick and kind answers!
..well: i'm now using SU since 2 years, so i already thought of all the possible useful workaround you suggested to me..
I was only wondering if a simple rb could be written to allow the kind of copy Watkins says; i see people posting amazing scripts here, so i think this would be a piece of cake for many.
BTW, it's not a NECESSARY script: simply if any wants to ease things a little, this is an idea. THANKS!
(Ctrl+Alt with move command active would be a perfect idea, by the way!)

Hi all! I often encountered a little problem, when wanting to copy a component or group from a a base point many times. I know how to use the array option, but i mean: if i want to multiple-copy one single chair around in a room there is a tool that allows me to keep the first base point and then to copy the objects many times?

AMAZING! REALLY AMAZING! NO OTHER WORDS!

Thank you Remus and Ylay7k! I did a search by myself too, and:GOD! This IES stuff is turning out really amazing!! I'm a big fan of it already! Thank you guys, i'm really learning a lot here!

... ...guys, i am so sorry coming out with a silly question like this, but i don't understand very well what an IES light is, and how it is handled by skIndigo...Someone with a little spare time could be so kind to explain me? Sorry for my question....

Hi Remus!
Yes, it is high-poly, i know...
And i know it can be painful to work with in huge scenes (like the one i'm working on now, for example... i've been forced to create a layer to contain all the windows of this kind, and then freeze it when not working on...

But i modeled this component for rendering purpouses, so i HAD TO -want it or not- keep it very detailed.

Sorry again if it's too huge; next time i'll try lo upload a lighter one

(sorry for the title, but i don't know hot to tell in english )

I've modeled this classic window frame for a renovation project in Padua. I' couldn't find a suitable capitol for the central column; if anyone can, feel free to complete the model!
Hope it can be of any use!

Cheers guys!

bifora.rar