LeeDrafter Posted October 21, 2022 Share Posted October 21, 2022 Hello, I am working on an exterior ray trace, and I would like the windows to be slightly reflective instead of transparent. What is the right material and properties for this look? I tried to make the glass a mirror, but it turned out really dark in my ray trace. I attached a picture (not mine) that shows the look I am going for. I am using Chief X12. thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericepv Posted October 21, 2022 Share Posted October 21, 2022 In the 'Define Material' box, set the glass to transparent/crown glass (in the properties tab), then darken the glass a bit in the material color section of the pattern tab (try various shades of grey). Also, be sure there are no interior lights turned on and set the interior ambient to zero. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeDrafter Posted October 21, 2022 Author Share Posted October 21, 2022 14 minutes ago, ericepv said: In the 'Define Material' box, set the glass to transparent/crown glass (in the properties tab), then darken the glass a bit in the material color section of the pattern tab (try various shades of grey). Also, be sure there are no interior lights turned on and set the interior ambient to zero. Thank you, I wish there was a reflectivity setting I could adjust. I will mess around with the grey shades a bit more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericepv Posted October 21, 2022 Share Posted October 21, 2022 You may also want to try experimenting with different settings for refraction (in the properties panel when set to 'Transparent'). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robdyck Posted October 21, 2022 Share Posted October 21, 2022 Are you actually rendering that with Chief or using a different rendering software? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeDrafter Posted October 21, 2022 Author Share Posted October 21, 2022 13 minutes ago, robdyck said: Are you actually rendering that with Chief or using a different rendering software? The picture I posted was not done in Chief (also not done by me). I am trying to use chief to get close to that kind of look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeDrafter Posted October 21, 2022 Author Share Posted October 21, 2022 18 minutes ago, ericepv said: You may also want to try experimenting with different settings for refraction (in the properties panel when set to 'Transparent'). Thanks, I will play with that too. Some of these words are new to me and confusing, haha. It takes a lot of trial and error. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericepv Posted October 21, 2022 Share Posted October 21, 2022 That's usually what it takes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robdyck Posted October 21, 2022 Share Posted October 21, 2022 4 minutes ago, LeeDrafter said: Thanks, I will play with that too. Some of these words are new to me and confusing, haha. It takes a lot of trial and error. Post your plan file and I'll send you back a rendered image in a few minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeDrafter Posted October 24, 2022 Author Share Posted October 24, 2022 On 10/21/2022 at 3:44 PM, robdyck said: Post your plan file and I'll send you back a rendered image in a few minutes. Thanks, here is a plan along with the ray trace I have done. I'm pretty happy with it except for the window glass and the grass. I put window treatments in to hide the interior while still allowing some transparency. AERIE.zip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericepv Posted October 25, 2022 Share Posted October 25, 2022 Lee: You're off to a good start, here are a few adjustments you can make: Experiment with different sun angles Decrease the sunlight to about 15,000 Lux (if you are doing a PBR, increase the brightness) In ray-trace edit, set Ambient Occlusion to .50 min - 2.5 max (as a starting point) I also like to keep the ambient lighting to a minimum (it can make a scene look flat) Specify your background image (Enable Env. Light) Turn on Caustics (Advanced tab) Also, for the camera: Increase height to 96" Get rid of the camera tilt, it should be level Narrow the field of view to around 40 degrees The rest is adjusting your materials and properties (very important!). Hope this helps- Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeDrafter Posted October 25, 2022 Author Share Posted October 25, 2022 1 hour ago, ericepv said: Lee: You're off to a good start, here are a few adjustments you can make: Experiment with different sun angles Decrease the sunlight to about 15,000 Lux (if you are doing a PBR, increase the brightness) In ray-trace edit, set Ambient Occlusion to .50 min - 2.5 max (as a starting point) I also like to keep the ambient lighting to a minimum (it can make a scene look flat) Specify your background image (Enable Env. Light) Turn on Caustics (Advanced tab) Also, for the camera: Increase height to 96" Get rid of the camera tilt, it should be level Narrow the field of view to around 40 degrees The rest is adjusting your materials and properties (very important!). Hope this helps- Eric thanks so much! You listed many things I have never done before, so this is a good learning experience. There is so much to know! thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericepv Posted October 25, 2022 Share Posted October 25, 2022 Experimenting is often the best way to learn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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