12 replies to this topic

[kingcoma]

Hi all,

I'm working on a fun little project in my spare time, an animation of two toys =)

BUT. It takes about 4 minutes per frame to render and I allready have like 1200 frames (you do the math)

So I'm concidering using a renderfarm, but I was wondering, does that work with GI (IR+QMC full animation)
(it has GI + AO + hair + arealights and shadows)

Because if I render it here, it has to go through these passes first before it start to render (which takes ages)...

Are there any special settings I don't know of, or am I just stupid? ^^

Thanks for the intel!

King

[brasco]

Well, you still have to generate the GI on your local machine as it can't be distributed on other machines. 4 mins a frame isn't bad if it's high quality (depending on machine of course).
If you download Rebus manager there's a plugin that does a checklist for you in cinema, it usually flags up what needs to be processed locally before upload.

How much have you optimized the scene already?

cheers
brasc

[dataflow]

just be aware it takes months for feature films to render there scenes.
so even though 4 mins might seem long in terms of rendering that isnt to long.
but that also depends on your scene which you would need to show to help or it would be just guess as each scene needs different optimizing

[kingcoma]

Haha, dataflow, I know feature films take really long time to render, but trust me, my animation couldn't be any more simple! =D

Here's a screenshot of one frame ^^

I know 4 minutes isn't THAT long, but I only have one computer, and i have to do it in between jobs.. So when I hit render, and it starts calculating, I can't render anything else (commercial work that is)

Brasco, I have no idea weither the scene is optimised or not (meaning? settings on GI and such?)
The test frame was rendered in HD (1920 - 1080) so pretty big..

Thanks for the replies! I'll look into it!

[brasco]

Heh, like the characters!
Yes basically I was asking if you've spent some time fine-tuning the settings after you got it looking good.
If you can screenshot your render settings for GI, AO, AA and Options we can advise better on optimising.
Things to maybe consider for optimising:

- AO accuracy can drop right down before losing visual quality (I sometimes use 5% or drop samples right down!)
- Same goes for Area light shadows and samples.
- Reduce ray/reflection/shadow depth.
- AA is a speed killer so make sure you have optimal settings there too.

GI optimisation is more complex so would be better see a screenshot.


cheers
brasc

[kingcoma]

Hehe, thanks =)

Thank you allready for your time looking into this.. Much appreciated!

Attached screenshots of my settings. I clearly did not optimise anything, I just swith GI on, AO enabled and voila..
So pretty much standard settings overall.

Tips or tricks would be very welcome!

[brasco]

Well this is hugely subjective and you'll find you may need higher settings to retain details but as a start here are some of my common settings (R13 but should be same as 11.5):

GI:


AO:


Ray/Reflection/Shadow Depth:


This is only a starting point, and it's all about experimenting. But you'll be surprised at what you can get away with!
Also if you have area shadows drop the accuracy right down to maybe < 20%.

cheers
brasc

[digitvisions]

Hi Kingcoma, I like your character modelling. I am curious to know the reason why you used in your Anti-Aliasing settings: Still Image and Geometry settings?
I normally use: Best and Animation.

[kingcoma]

Oh lord!

I just tested your settings and it took 1min43sec (previous settings 3min31sec)

not that much different in render, just a bit weird thingies happening on the floor.. I'll experiment some more!

Thanks a million!

[kingcoma]

oops, pressed 'post' too fast ^^

@digitvisions: thanks =) ehm, no idea why actually.. Probably because it looks good.. I unfortunately don't spend that much time on rendersettings (i know, i should!)

I would like to go with Best AA, but that little robot there has blurry reflections, and the soldier also has reflection (and the chrome on the drum and the sticks)

Is it much difference in time or quality if i change it to best and animation? (I thought animation AA created a little less quality?)

[dataflow]

with the reflections if you change the "Ray/Reflection/Shadow Depth:" like brasco suggested you should get lower render times

[kingcoma]

Allrighty, I'll give it a go! Thanks everyone!

[Ernesto]

I just watched your final animation on your website and I must say it is cool. I recognized the robot right away. This is the same robot that one can use as their account picture in Windows 7.