Initial response to V7

#1

This is really quite good.

I haven’t dug very deeply into the new stuff but what I have seen it’s all useful. There is actually far more than I had really thought there was in the upgrade and I think it’s definitely worth the asking price.

I use EI for hard-edge reflective/shiny stuff and the added features will definitely be used. The HDRI implementation seems to be very complete and it’s a joy to get the full effect when used as reflection and refraction maps. Actually just this one feature will pay for itself on the first project I use it for - it will save quite a lot of time getting that sparkle happening in materials created.

The image based lighting is good though a little slow - not any slower than GI but EI definitely needs to become multi-processor aware in the future.

I’m really liking the Scratches shader - well designed. Aren’t there supposed to be a few presets somewhere? Would help to grab them to get things moving a little faster. Lots to get one’s head around.

Haven’t tried the layers yet. That’ll be useful - nor the dynamics. I played around with one of the example projects - they seem to be done well. I already have a project planned though lots to understand…or it feels that way. I have to read the manual and I’m sure it will be a little clearer.

I’m sure everyone will have fun with the new stuff - it’s a “well done”! for all comcerned.

#2

Hi Paul.
I have a few presets I am working on. I had 15 of them in an early beta of Scratches, but I lost all of the settings when scratches was updated, so I am laboriously recreating them.

Sorry for the slow turnaround. I’ve been very busy.
I’ll try to get these posted sometime soon.

Dave

#3

Ok Good.

I was hoping you’d chime in - I like the example you posted just awhile ago. It’s a nice shader though, as the manual says, can get slow.

Do you know if the discs concept is used anywhere else?

I’m really enjoying the HDRI implementation - there are so many projects where I could have used that exrta bit to take it over the top. I have HDRI useage in other app but it’s great to have them now in my main production tool along with the other stuff I come back to EI for.

#4

Congrats Dave

#5

Interesting question, I don’t think it’s used anywhere else in the shaders that come with EI. The choice is between this disc approach, which is slow but works on all models or the same approach that Anisotropic.shd uses which essentially only works on flat surfaces (and even then still requires precise placement) and to do it like that just wasn’t an option.

I do wonder if any third party shaders use it though,
Ian

#6

Surprising how effective the shader is. Leave it upto the Igors to come up with something like that:-)

#7

I may be mistaken but if I am remembering correctly the Igors said the virtual geometry technique was related to cellular noise.

I have a dozen presets in a sample project and as EI Material presets, as well as a short tips video. I will be sending those to EITG. Hopefully these will make it into the 7.0.1 update, and the video can be posted online. :slight_smile:

Dave

#8

That will be a big help for everyone, Dave.
Thanks a lot!

JM

#9

OK there are now 4 of the Scratches presets on the Wiki Materials Repository available for immediate download!

http://www.eitechnologygroup.com/wiki/Metal/

I hope these will help everyone exploring Scratches. :slight_smile:
Dave

This will also serve as a beta test for the Materials Repository which is a work in progress :wink:
Please post your thoughts on the Material Repository, too.

#10

Thanks for putting these up - certainly helps when getting familiar with a new shader/pluggin.

#11

Just a test with v7 HDRI. :slight_smile:

Dave

#12

That’s really good news. I haven’t had a chance to upgrade yet and in all honesty, it sounded like it was a little on the expensive side for an upgrade. I’ll have to take a look at upgrading. That scratches shader does look pretty nice!

#13

Has anybody tried V7 and ZBrush?

#14

Has anybody tried using V7 and ZBrush?

#15

Hows the rigging/ bones system in this program. i dont seem to find any info on it

#16

Hows the rigging/ bones system in this program

Over all, I’d say not bad, though you won’t find some of the advanced tools like bones mirroring, spline I-K, and graphic controller elements.

Recent updates to EIAS have been wrapped around rendering enhancements (i.e. caustics, subsurface scattering, HDRI, and multi-layered outputs). Future updates are anyone’s guess, but users have been pushing for animation enhancements, specifically character animation, and this will probably happen.

Users have been creating their own advanced rigs, do a search for Alonzo, and you’ll find the DVD he sells teaching about EIAS rigging techniques.

Here’s a tutorial by Richard Morley on spider rigging:

http://www.paralumino.com/electro303/electro303/02-tech/Tutorial_bank/tips031-040/tips038/tips038-US.html

so you can get an idea of the work flow.

#17

Hello Calilifestyle:

EIAS does include an FK and IK system, weight mapping, deformations, fbx support, and multiple IK solvers for your character work. Its CA system is not as advanced when compared to something like Maya, however, it gets the job done. There is a strong movement in the EIAS community to fortify EI’s CA tools in v8.

#18

As far as i see there are no new features that will help, unless it supports 16/32bit displacement maps… which i’ve read nothing about.

#19

Ditto. Zbrush render with 50% gray. I like the speed of the app on a MacPro tho. There’s a very noticeable different between 6.5 and 7. I can move large project very easily. It doesn’t take advantage of 11gb of RAM so it has to be the SW. I’m not a render buff, but I know my partner is going to love it.

So though it’s not a character upgrade, my character animation were improved because of the responsiveness of the interface.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=DdDgyayF60Y

#20

Alonzo, i think (but i may be wrong as i don’t have v7.0) that the speed increase on the MacPro as a lot more to do with v7.0 being an UB whereas v6.5 isn’t. :slight_smile:

Then it’s a good thing for you and for all that v7.0 is at least as fast as v6.6 and faster than v6.5 on a MacPro. :thumbsup:

Cheers,
Laurent aka Tartiflette :slight_smile: