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View Full Version : Object missing in glass refraction, others fine

GatorNic
12-05-2010, 07:17 AM
So I have a weird issue with glass refractions. Maya 2011 (same in 2010), Mental Ray, simple mia_material with glass preset. I have several objects that are not appearing in the refraction, but then others are. I applied the same matte mia_material to both the ones that are showing and the ones that are not. I have tried several glass shaders. Nothing. But yet I can create a new poly sphere and it shows up fine. Any ideas what the issue is? Sorry kind of a broad question, but not sure where else to look.
InfernalDarkness
12-05-2010, 10:39 PM
It sounds like you may be using imported geometry, such as .obj files. The default settings for imported .obj files (for example) have "Visible in Reflections/Refractions" set to "Off". This is stupid, yes, but has been this way since the dawn of Maya-time.

You can check them per-object of course, or select all your objects and open the Attribute Spreadsheet, go to the "Render" tab", and then click on the top of Visible in Reflections and then Refractions and type "On" or press "1", to set these options for all your objects quickly.

Otherwise, it could be your ray-depth, either at a material/shader level or in your main Render Settings. Mia_material_x shaders have various ray depths built-in, so check your glass shaders and make sure you have the settings high enough.
GatorNic
12-06-2010, 01:29 AM
Yup, that's exactly what it was, thanks! Man, I am really surprised I haven't run into that issue before with obj's importing like that. I have imported ton's of geometry over the years, never really crossed my mind. Its intriguing why that would be set to off by default.
InfernalDarkness
12-06-2010, 01:35 AM
It's always been that way. Write a quick script that sets all your imports to Visible In Both, set it to a Shelf or whatever, and you'll be fine!

I do mostly Arch/Viz, so reflections/refractions are very important. And since I model 99% in Rhino for arch/viz, I have to click my ViBoth button constantly. Beats opening the Attribute Spreadsheet constantly, though!


As for "why", I wouldn't be intrigued. It's Maya. The "why" is simply because it's the most complex thing humanity has ever created, and thus appears entirely unmanagable or fixable at this stage!
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