What's the cleanest and fastest way for DOF in animations in Post Prod with max?

[dvornik]

I'm not professional at this, but I was surprised how well max's defauld DOF in the camera properties work (not the post one). There was a thread on this:

http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16222&highlight=depth+of+field

[PIXAR]

i know about that, but it's very very slow, am not using this for animations:D

[ReneAlex]

check this...

it may be useful

http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15151&goto=nextnewest

:wavey:

[cdinic]

I render to RPF sequence, and run DOF in combustion. works great, and runs on the same render farm as MAX 5!!!!

-Chris

[PIXAR]

Originally posted by cdinic
I render to RPF sequence, and run DOF in combustion. works great, and runs on the same render farm as MAX 5!!!!

-Chris

could u tell me what options you check while saving to RPF?
and what setting to change in combustion for best results?

i ALWAYS have sort of a glow around my objects when i have a blur behind them, please tell me how to avoid this?

just want to have "sharp" edges

[sinistergfx]

Try using the z-buffer with a gaussian blur.

BUT, here's the trick: Use multiple levels of low blur instead of one level of high blur. You'll end up with MUCH better results.

[PIXAR]

you mean copying the DOF filter multiple times in the filter stack?

[Jed]

I don't think you'll get rid of that glow effect with Max's standard renderer. I've tried a lot of techniques at one time to figure out which was best, and unless you go for a 3rd party renderer like Brazil or Vray, I think it's best to render in layers.
A 3rd solution would be to check out Cebas' Pro Optic suite. They have a dof effect that is actually pretty good (waaay better than max's standard), and really fast.
I like to render in layers, though, because I hate to have to rerender a whole scene just because the DOF is not good. You'll get more control over your effect in After Effects or Combustion, and you won't get the glow effect that comes with RLAs even on really big blurs.
You'll have to plan your render sequence ahead and you will probably end up with different files for the same shot, but I would say it's the best way to go.

Good luck

[PIXAR]

rendering in layers is indeed very very good, but doesn't always work.

I have a riding object on a field of grass, the field needs a dof also, from much to no focus, that's (as far as i know) not possible in layers.

but thx a lot for your reply man, much appreciated

[sinistergfx]

PIXAR:

I was refering to using the z-buffer as a selection mask for gaussian blur in photoshop.

[Andre Goersch]

Originally posted by PIXAR
Direct DOF with heavy 3rd party renderers is no option[/B]
And what about a very good and cheap plugin for After Effects (or Combustion)?

Try this: Lenscare for After Effects (http://www.frischluft.com/).

It uses a Z-Buffer pass, but it understands that some things are behind others. And it makes it look great.

Just watch this.
http://www.frischluft.com/gallery/Lenscare/Breakfast_02.jpg

[Das]

Based on that image (and some of the gallery images at the site), I just bought Lenscare for Photoshop. Only $55, and it seems to do a great job :)

[ilasolomon]

indeed, with frischluft LANSCARE, there is no need to
raytraced DOF anymore :)
great work Philipp. his plug-in knocks out all the post filters
of DOF like Combustion's. fusion's & Max'

[PhilippSpoeth]

Hey thanx guys for the positve comments on my filters. Good to see that! And thanx for buying David ! :)

Pixar, the glow around edges that you were talking about happens because in alot of those dofs they don't really consider the depth values. Most are just blurs with different radii and use distance values only to determine the blurs radius per pixel. Then they just take all the pixels within that radius and blur them together for the new value of that pixel. So if an object is in front and a pixel close to that object is behind, a bigger blur radius will include that front object and thus produce this glow... So if you can't render in layers you will probably need something that does consider distances. I personaly don't know of any app that comes with good dof.... that's why i did my plug :)

I find it a bit confusing that all those algorithms are named DOF when in fact they are just blurs with different radii which is absolutly not what a dof does.... hmm well maybe as a consequence i should call my filters 'Blur Thingies(tm)'.

[Chris]

Sorry Phillip, I've already got the trademark on 'Thingies(tm)' - I tend to use it all the time when explaining complex things to people... "No, dont click on the thingie, click on the Thingie!" ;) j/k :D

[Black&White]

i use max camera sampling based DOF. its very nice but slow for animations. so i use less sample passes and small sample radius.

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