THE ULTIMATE MAYA AND MENTAL RAY ARCHVIZ GUIDE

[withego]

[color=white]A little recap, with the links to “THE ULTIMATE MAYA AND MENTAL RAY ARCHVIZ GUIDE” main assets.[/color]

The main SPONZATUTORIAL folder, hosted on my web:

http://www.samui3d.com/SPONZATUTORIAL.rar

Something wrong either with my windows 7, or the main SPONZATUTORIAL.rar folder. It doesn’t extract properly, either because of long assets names or because of missing file.

Considering the low bandwith displayed by my web, Mitch offered himself to upload the main folder on a mirror which unfortunately is down at the moment. But I guarantee that every time I uploaded assets either to CGTalk or to the Facebook page, re-downloaded them again. And the huge SPONZATUTORIAL.rar folder (1.34 GB), was recently re-downloaded without errors.

To answer ARARAT’s enquiry on Page 14, regarding his struggle extracting files from the SPONZATUTORIAL.rar folder hosted on my web. Just re-downloaded again the folder using the link provided on top of the page and everything went smooth as silk, it took less than three hours and extracted every single file without incurring in any ‘long file naming’ error. Therefore, you can go on to download it from my web…!

As well as the mirror download, kindly provided by Mitch aka “EightBit”:

http://thepixelfarm.com/ArchvizGuide/index.html

A brief update: The mirror download, kindly provided by Mitch is up again. Therefore you can download the main SPONZATUTORIAL.rar folder, either from here or from the link above. Thanks again to Mitch, really appreciated.

And the link to download, the main “HOW TO” pdf doc:

http://www.samui3d.com/HOW TO.rar

The original Tutorial Guide, main pdf docs:

The main “INTRO_2009_SP1A_ORIGINAL.rar” pdf doc.

The main “PART1_2009_SP1A_ORIGINAL.rar” pdf doc.

The main “PART2_2009_SP1A_ORIGINAL.rar” pdf doc.

The main “PART3_2009_SP1A_ORIGINAL.rar” pdf doc.

The main “PART4_2011_ORIGINAL.rar” pdf doc.

The main “PART5_2011_ORIGINAL.rar” pdf doc.

The main “THE_FLY_THROUGH_STEREO_CAMERA_MOTION_PATH_ANIMATION_LINKS.rar” pdf doc.

The links to the 3D assets shared so far here on CGTalk, as well as on The Ultimate Autodesk Maya And Nvidia Mental Ray Guide page.

From Page 6 with the Docs.rar folder, in which is included the ‘3D_PEOPLE_BINDED_MAYA_2009_SP1A’ Maya 2009 SP1AX64 scene. With the 3d characters created using Maya Poly, Subd, Nurbs, Fur and Cloth. Rigged using rigid skin binding with lattice flexors, and posed using inverse IK Kinematics.

http://www.samui3d.com/Docs.rar

Going up to Page 7 and the Docs_New.rar folder, with the Maya 2009, 2011 and 2012 3D characters scenes. As well as the ‘diagnostic_3D_PEOPLE_POSED_UNIFIED_SAMPLING_LOW_TRANS_CAR_PAINT_MAYA_2012’ multilayer exr file, which should be viewed using the Mental Ray ‘imf_disp’ utility.

A screenshot from the ‘3D_PEOPLE_POSED_LOW_TRANS_CAR_PAINT_MAYA_2011’ scene, of the main 3d characters final render image output:

http://www.samui3d.com/Docs_New.rar

And the Docs_Last.rar folder, with a couple of Maya 2009 and 2011 simulations scenes used to introduce you to the Maya ‘Camera’, ‘Camera and Aim’, ‘Camera Aim and Up’ nodes. As well as the Maya 2011 ‘Multi Stereo Rig’, ‘Stereoscopic Camera’ nodes and the ‘Motion Path’, ‘Motion Trail’, ‘Aim’, ‘Parent’, ‘Point’ Constraints.

A screenshot from the ‘SPONZASIMULATIONS_2011’, Maya 2011 ‘Dynamics’ simulations scene:

As well a few simple Maya 2009 and 2011 test scenes created as an alternative to the 3D Characters scenes, to get you acquainted to some of the more elaborate shaders in the tutorial.

A screenshot from the ‘Carpaint_Test_Scene_Maya_2011’ test scene, final render image output:

The links to the updated and optimized Maya 2009 and 2011 ‘Carpaint’ test scenes, meant to replace the previous ones located the Docs_Last.rar folder:

http://www.samui3d.com/Carpaint_Test_Scene_Maya_2009_SP1A.rar

http://www.samui3d.com/Carpaint_Test_Scene_Maya_2011.rar

A screenshot from the ‘Trees_Test_Scene_Maya_2011’ test scene, final render image output:

The links to the updated and optimized Maya 2009 and 2011 ‘Trees’ test scenes, meant to replace the previous ones located the Docs_Last.rar folder:

http://www.samui3d.com/Trees_Test_Scene_Maya_2009_SP1A.rar

http://www.samui3d.com/Trees_Test_Scene_Maya_2011.rar

http://www.samui3d.com/Docs_Last.rar

Plus the Docs_Final.rar folder with the links to the lightweight Maya production scenes, used to introduce you to the Mental Ray 'mip_binaryproxy1 node feature and the ‘IvyGenerator.exe’ application by Thomas Loft.

A screenshot from the “MIPBINARYPROXYIVYSKYGAMMAPFX2011” Maya production scene final render image output, with the correct shader assignment order:

As well as the ‘SPONZA2009X32GLOW’ Maya 2009 scene, used to output the light ‘Glows’ and ‘Glare’ effects. With the ‘Lume Tools’ custom shaders, located in the ‘Mr_Custom_Shaders_and_Scripts_2009_SP1A’ folder under the Docs_Final.rar folder.

A screenshot from the ‘SPONZA2009X32GLOW’ Maya production scene final render image output, with the Mental Ray ‘Glare_LUME1’ node ‘Spread’ field value increased to the input value (4).

The link to the updated and optimized ‘SPONZA2009X32GLOW’ Maya production scene, meant to replace the previous one located the Docs_Final.rar folder:

http://www.samui3d.com/SPONZA2009X32GLOW_2009_SP1A.rar

http://www.samui3d.com/Docs_Final.rar

And to conclude the brief update regarding the lightweight 3D assets, useful to test the lighting and rendering techniques discussed in the tutorial. As well as the elaborate shaders, used in the main 3D production scenes. Going up to Page 8 and the Classroom_Production_Scenes.rar folder, with the Maya 2011 ‘Classroom’ scenes as well as the scenes used for the Master Classes 2011 Q&A.

The “CLASSROOMSKY8PORTAL64ENV1PHOTOGAMMA1IRAY” Maya 2011 scene, final render image output:

Check the Issue 1. warning on Page 8 with a hint on how to fix a minor issue regarding the ‘IP’ map directory string ‘Value’, when using the above mentioned Maya ‘Classroom’ scenes.

In the ‘Classroom’ scenes an ‘IP’ map directory string ‘Value’, can still be found in the ‘irradiance particles file’ String Option ‘Value’ field attribute.

Which points to the ‘ibl4.ip’ Irradiance Particles file, on my Desktop: C:\Users\Alex\Desktop\ibl4.ip

Rename the ‘IP’ map file in a meaningful way, with a name that relates to the Mental Ray lighting and rendering features used in the scene.

Or just place the cursor in the ‘irradiance particles file’ String Option ‘Value’ field and hit the Backspace key, to delete the string leaving the field attribute empty and hit the Enter key to confirm the removal.

Check also Issue 2. warning on Page 8 regarding a minor issue, related to the ‘Emit photons’ checkbox located under the Mental Ray ‘sunDirection’ node.

In the ‘Venus_Sky_Photo_2011’ Maya test scene,.the ‘Emit photons’ checkbox located in the sunShape > mental ray > Caustic and Global Illumination section of the Mental Ray ‘sunDirection’ node is enabled.

Which is usually deprecated and should be disabled instead, since the ‘sunDirection’ node is actually a ‘Directional Light’

The link to the updated ‘Venus’ Maya test scenes, meant to replace the previous ones located in the Classroom_Production_Scenes.rar folder:

http://www.samui3d.com/Venus_Sky_Photo_2011.rar

http://www.samui3d.com/Venus_Ibl_Cm_2011.rar

http://www.samui3d.com/Venus_Ibl_Cm_Photo_2011.rar

The final render image output, from the ‘CLASSROOM_SKY_8_PORTAL_64_SUN_64_MAT_64_ENV_0.318_PHOTO_2.2_UNIFIED_SAMPLING_1_DOF_2012’ Maya 2012 scene:

http://www.samui3d.com/Classroom_Production_Scenes.rar

And if you prefer to download just the Classroom_Production_Scenes_2012.rar folder, instead of the main Classroom_Production_Scenes.rar folder as a whole:

http://www.samui3d.com/Classroom_Production_Scenes_2012.rar

Before to go on with the links to the Maya 2009 SP1A production scenes, shared from Page 9 onward. In order to use these assets efficently suggest you to download the main SPONZATUTORIAL.rar folder as a whole, as well as the final updated version of the SPONZAMAPFILES2009_NEW.rar file textures folder.

The updated SPONZAMAPFILES2009_NEW, file textures folder:

http://www.samui3d.com/SPONZAMAPFILES2009_NEW.rar

The Maya 2009 SP1A production scenes, assets.

The “SPONZA2009X32_2009_SP1A” Maya production scene, download:

http://www.samui3d.com/SPONZA2009X32_2009_SP1A.rar

For more info check the link below, which points to the “SPONZA2009X32_2009_SP1A” Maya production scene screenshots in the Acrobat Portfolio.pdf format:

http://www.samui3d.com/SPONZA2009X32_2009_SP1A_Screenshots.rar

As well as the “SPONZA2009X32_2009_SP1A” Maya production scene, Open Exr final render output:

http://www.samui3d.com/Maya_Production_Scenes_2009X32_SP1A_Exr_Renders.rar

And finally the main “workhorse” of the Maya 2009 section, the “SPONZA2009X64_2009_SP1A” Maya production scene download:

http://www.samui3d.com/SPONZA2009X64_2009_SP1A.rar

For more info check the link below, which points to the “SPONZA2009X64_2009_SP1A” Maya production scene screenshots in the Acrobat Portfolio.pdf format:

http://www.samui3d.com/SPONZA2009X64_2009_SP1A_Screenshots.rar

As well as the “SPONZA2009X64_2009_SP1A” Maya production scene, Pro Exr final render output:

http://www.samui3d.com/Maya_Production_Scenes_2009X64_SP1A_Pro_Exr_Renders.rar

And the “SPONZA2009X64_2009_SP1A” Maya production scene, Custom Label Pass render output:

http://www.samui3d.com/Maya_Production_Scenes_2009X64_SP1A_Label_Renders.rar

The “SPONZA2009X64_SUNSET_2009_SP1A” production scene, download:

http://www.samui3d.com/SPONZA2009X64_SUNSET_2009_SP1A.rar

For more info check the link below, which points to the “SPONZA2009X64_SUNSET_2009_SP1A” Maya production scene screenshots in the Acrobat Portfolio.pdf format:

http://www.samui3d.com/SPONZA2009X64_SUNSET_2009_SP1A_Screenshots.rar

The “SPONZA2009X64_NIGHT_2009_SP1A” production scene, download:

http://www.samui3d.com/SPONZA2009X64_NIGHT_2009_SP1A.rar

For more info check the link below, which points to the “SPONZA2009X64_NIGHT_2009_SP1A” Maya production scene screenshots in the Acrobat Portfolio.pdf format:

http://www.samui3d.com/SPONZA2009X64_NIGHT_2009_SP1A_Screenshots.rar

A link to the full set of “SPONZA2009X32/64 2009 SP1A” Maya production scenes, which you can download as a whole here:

http://www.samui3d.com/Sponza_Production_Scenes_2009_SP1A.rar

Plus the final version, of the “SPONZAMAPFILES2009” file textures folder:

http://www.samui3d.com/SPONZAMAPFILES2009.rar

Now assuming you already downloaded the “SPONZATUTORIAL” folder mirror provided by “EightBit” , with the recently uploaded Maya production scenes…

You will need to use the updated scripts, plugins and file textures listed below… Which btw are the final version of the Tutorial Guide assets…!

Remember to store a copy of the original “SPONZATUTORIAL” folder mirror download before to merge or replace the previous scripts, plugins and file textures assets.

The final version, of the “Mr_Custom_Shaders_and_Scripts_2009_SP1A” folder:

http://www.samui3d.com/Mr_Custom_Shaders_and_Scripts_2009_SP1A.rar

As well as the updated version of the previously uploaded “My_Documents_maya_folders” folder, which I used to refine all the main Maya production scene and once again…

Backup the original Maya folders located under the C:\Users\xxx\Documents directory on your drive, before to replace them with these folders:

http://www.samui3d.com/My_Documents_maya_folders_Updated.rar

The Maya 2011 production scenes, assets.

The “DAYSKYPHOTOPASSES_2011” production scene, download:

http://www.samui3d.com/DAYSKYPHOTOPASSES_2011.rar

The “DAYSKYPHOTOPASSES_2011” production scene screenshots, in the Acrobat Portfolio.pdf format:

http://www.samui3d.com/DAYSKYPHOTOPASSES_2011_SCREENSHOTS.rar

The “DAYHDRPASSES_2011” production scene, download:

http://www.samui3d.com/DAYHDRPASSES_2011.rar

The “DAYHDRPASSES_2011” production scene screenshots, in the Acrobat Portfolio.pdf format:

http://www.samui3d.com/DAYHDRPASSES_2011_SCREENSHOTS.rar

The “DAYSKYPHOTO_2011” production scene, download:

http://www.samui3d.com/DAYSKYPHOTO_2011.rar

The “DAYSKYPHOTO_2011” production scene screenshots, in the Acrobat Portfolio.pdf format:

http://www.samui3d.com/DAYSKYPHOTO_2011_SCREENSHOTS.rar

The “DAYHDRGAMMA_2011” production scene, download:

http://www.samui3d.com/DAYHDRGAMMA_2011.rar

The “DAYHDRGAMMA_2011” production scene screenshots, in the Acrobat Portfolio.pdf format:

http://www.samui3d.com/DAYHDRGAMMA_2011_SCREENSHOTS.rar

The “DAYHDRNOGAMMA_2011” production scene, download:

http://www.samui3d.com/DAYHDRNOGAMMA_2011.rar

The “DAYHDRNOGAMMA_2011” production scene screenshots, in the Acrobat Portfolio.pdf format:

http://www.samui3d.com/DAYHDRNOGAMMA_2011_SCREENSHOTS.rar

The “DAYHDRGAMMAPHOTO_2011” production scene, download:

http://www.samui3d.com/DAYHDRGAMMAPHOTO_2011.rar

The “DAYHDRGAMMAPHOTO_2011” production scene screenshots, in the Acrobat Portfolio.pdf format:

http://www.samui3d.com/DAYHDRGAMMAPHOTO_2011_SCREENSHOTS.rar

The “DAYHDRNOGAMMAPHOTO_2011” production scene, download:

http://www.samui3d.com/DAYHDRNOGAMMAPHOTO_2011.rar

The “DAYHDRNOGAMMAPHOTO_2011” production scene screenshots, in the Acrobat Portfolio.pdf format:

http://www.samui3d.com/DAYHDRNOGAMMAPHOTO_2011_SCREENSHOTS.rar

The “DAYSKYPHOTOIRAY_2011” production scene, download:

http://www.samui3d.com/DAYSKYPHOTOIRAY_2011.rar

The “DAYSKYPHOTOIRAY_2011” production scene screenshots, in the Acrobat Portfolio.pdf format:

http://www.samui3d.com/DAYSKYPHOTOIRAY_2011_SCREENSHOTS.rar

The “DAYHDRIRAY_2011” production scene, download:

http://www.samui3d.com/DAYHDRIRAY_2011.rar

The “DAYHDRIRAY_2011” production scene screenshots, in the Acrobat Portfolio.pdf format:

http://www.samui3d.com/DAYHDRIRAY_2011_SCREENSHOTS.rar

The “DAYHDRPHOTOIRAY_2011” production scene, download:

http://www.samui3d.com/DAYHDRPHOTOIRAY_2011.rar

The “DAYHDRPHOTOIRAY_2011” production scene screenshots, in the Acrobat Portfolio.pdf format:

http://www.samui3d.com/DAYHDRPHOTOIRAY_2011_SCREENSHOTS.rar

A link to the full set of “Sponza_Production_Scenes_2011” Maya production scenes, which you can download as a whole here:

http://www.samui3d.com/Sponza_Produ…Scenes_2011.rar

The Maya 2011 production scenes, Open Exr final render output:

http://www.samui3d.com/Maya_Product…Exr_Renders.rar

As well as the Maya 2011 scenes, Pro Exr final render output:

http://www.samui3d.com/Maya_Product…Exr_Renders.rar

For a recap of the 3D assets shared on The Ultimate Autodesk Maya And Nvidia Mental Ray Guide[color=red] Facebook page, click on the image below to jump to [/color]Page 14 of this thread:

[lighto]

Nice work!

Is there any chance we can get hands on teh guide book before the DVD comes like next year? We have been patiently waiting…

Look forward to it.

[Tzadi]

For the info. We are eager, as I said in a prior post.

Just an idle note…sadly, with a fresh install of Flash Player 10.1, I can´t still enter your website. A black page appears and then nothing. Now with Firefox and Windows (tested also on a Mac, Safari, and on Firefox running in Ubuntu)

[Redsand1080]

Looks awesome! Can’t wait to check out the final product!

[EightBit]

Looks good. I’d just say get it published so we can all read it and you can move on with your life… The pdfs would be fine.

[InfernalDarkness]

Site works just fine, but it’s all password-protected. For previewing, not sure why?

I love your work, and can’t wait to get my hands on this guide! So many things that look like they’ll really help in my own limited arch/viz career.

[efecto]

Definitely it would be good to see the guide before the DVD comes… we have been waiting for so long.

[withego]

Site works just fine, but it’s all password-protected. For previewing, not sure why?

Infernal, do you mean the Porfolio’s? When you create pdf contents with Acrobat Pro 9, it is always a good practice to secure them first, especially when the contents are copyrighted with the Copyright Office online system: http://www.copyright.gov/eco/.

Is there any chance we can get hands on teh guide book before the DVD comes like next year? We have been patiently waiting.

Yep I know and I’m sorry for the long delay, but it was not entirely my fault…! Since I was waiting for an answer too and when the answer finally arrived, I was in the middle of a very serious situation, reporting as a freelance the May riots in Bkk…!

Looks good. I’d just say get it published so we can all read it and you can move on with your life… The pdfs would be fine.

EightBit, thks for your concerns and yes luckily I’ve got a life apart from Maya and Mental Ray…!

If we will find out that the task of publishing this massive project, through the Gnomon network, or else on the new Master Classes series cannot be accomplished, I will keep my promise and I will start to enclose here, the links to a few “secured” and “compressed” copies of the main pdf sections, asap.

To get you acquainted with all the features discussed in the Tutorial, before the full release which will come shortly after…!

Ciao…!
Alex

[Eshta]

is it out for sale yet?

[SePu]

awesome, im looking forward to it …

[joie]

Please, publish that with or WITHOUT the help of gnomon, but publish it now man!

[ALTUVE3D]

Im just waiting for the BUY ME BUTTON TO POP UP!! :applause:

[withego]

Please, publish that with or WITHOUT the help of gnomon, but publish it now man!

Joie, keep it cool man I’m working on it…!

Alex just invited me to join the Master Classes event in January, which is very cool…!
But January is a little late for me guys, since I don’t want to keep you waiting for the release any longer.
So now just waiting to fix the date of our meeting…and in the due time Im enlarging and refining the Guide.
Just added a couple of hundred pages, of step by step instructions and screenshots…!
In preparation for a “Camtasia” introduction to the Tutorial, which should be recorded at the Gnomon facilities.
So Joie, you see… I’m not wasting my time waiting for the release, the Guide is just getting better and better…!

Ciao.

[joie]

Oh my God, this is going to be the most valuable possession I may have (the other is my bike)!, I hope it will worth it

[Redsand1080]

Sounds killer! Can’t wait to get my hands on it!

[potter1984]

Sounds killer! Can’t wait to get my hands on it!

Even I’m excited and im still a noob, but know this is one to watch :).

Can’t wait for the Final.

[Tzadi]

How it is going, Alex? Will Gnomon publish it?

Many thanks

[marcovn]

vapourware

[InfernalDarkness]

vapourware

What’s vaporware, mental ray? Maya? Both have been released for years and years now.

Are you implying that our friend who’s trying to help us all learn and make more money ourselves simply never wrote this guide or did the work which has already been shown? Well that’s terribly supportive of you, thanks for chiming in with a totally inappropriate phrase. He’s not even writing software. It’s a guide tutorial for making better renders. Figure it out, son.

[joie]

Mmmm, I think I don’t know what “vapourware” means at all…