I've managed to get the CMX import sussed, and sorted the materials (I think) but I'm having problems rendering. I don't want to buy Brazil and the free version only does tiny renders, so I'm sticking with the standard renderers.

However, I can't get my head round a lighting problem I've got. It seems as though there's some kind of 'exposure' setting which is set way too low (see the attached image). This is using default lighting - see other attached image which is a screenie of some relevant settings (I hope).

I have tried adding other lights manually, but have to set the Intensity Multiplier up into double figures to make the render light enough. Then the colours look awful.

I've been through most of the Discreet tutorials and trawled the tutorials on t'Internet to no avail, so if anyone can shed any light (pardon the pun) on my problem, I'd be very grateful.

Thx.

Grumps

There is an option in the rendering controls (Environment I think) that allows some form of Exposure control, so give that a try. If not, stick an omni above the car

I have always used a skylight with at least one additional omnis
Or only omnis...

I can't see the setting you mean Trist? The only sort of relevant thing is the aperture - I tried doubling this and it made no difference.

See the attached screenshot with 12 Skylights and 21 Omnis - it's just about light enough, but the colours look horrible??

Thanks for your help so far guys - any further ideas?

Paul

Woah, you don't need so many lights!

The setting is in Rendering --> Environment. It's called Automatic Exposure Controls I think (I don't have Max on this computer so I can't check or post a screenshot). I've used it.

Also you can edit an omni to increase it's size, strenth (brightness), falloff, and a whole bunch of other things (including whether it casts shadows, and how).

If you're still having problems on Monday I'll post a few piccies of what I mean unless someone else beats me to it. Might I also suggest vray? It's more complex that Brazil in many ways, but imo easier to generate realistic results with compared to Scanline. If you understand materials a bit (which you do by the looks of it) then you'll be able to use Vray (and vray materials).

Good luck! :up:

start with ONE omni light and post the pic here.
Maybe the materials are not correct, dunno... at least it looks completely weird.
btw, you should only use 1 skylight at a time.

ya, one skylight is all you need, and it can be put anywhere anyhow, it all works the same way

but for a basic scanline setup all you need is 1 skylight and 1 omni

Quote from tristancliffe :

The setting is in Rendering --> Environment. It's called Automatic Exposure Controls I think

Spot on! Thanks Trist - it was set to Logarithmic which obviously has some strange effects!

Now I've got over that, hopefully I can start some real progress.

Thanks all for your input.

Paul

Quote from XCNuse :

ya, one skylight is all you need, and it can be put anywhere anyhow, it all works the same way

but for a basic scanline setup all you need is 1 skylight and 1 omni

yep, or just get VRay and add a Target Direct and turn on the GI (global illumination) option
it will be much better