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gibble
09-30-2009, 08:34 PM
Maya + Mental Ray: NOOB.

I am rendering a metallic object [aluminum] and I want it to look as realistic as possible.

Which Mental Ray method should I use to achieve the best results? Final Gather? Global Illumination? I tried HDRI but it will not display my textures on the polys. Since I wasted time doing HDRI, I now just want to focus on what will give me the best results.

Thanks!
Piflik
09-30-2009, 08:59 PM
Here's a little tip on rendering metal with MRay (http://mentalraytips.blogspot.com/2007/10/making-better-metal-with-miamaterial.html). It's for Max, but the principles should apply to any program.
gibble
10-01-2009, 12:15 AM
Here's a little tip on rendering metal with MRay (http://mentalraytips.blogspot.com/2007/10/making-better-metal-with-miamaterial.html). It's for Max, but the principles should apply to any program.

Thank you Piflik (http://forums.cgsociety.org/member.php?u=324016) but that uses HDRI lighting. Although I am no expert, it seems like you cannout use polys with textures with HDRI lighting. That is why I am exploring other lighting/rendering methods. Or am I wrong- can I use HDRI with my textured poly object?

Should I go the Final Gather route? Or Global Illumination??
phix314
10-01-2009, 01:00 AM
You can use HDR for whatever you want.
gibble
10-01-2009, 01:02 AM
You can use HDR for whatever you want.

Really? Hmmmm, I wonder why my textures will now show up then...

Thanks again for your notes.
dinoiastefano
10-09-2009, 07:40 PM
i tried some unconventional methods to get a nice result for metals, basically without using lights but only reflections and FG for the diffuse component, you can check it out here:

http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=658379
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