Sudden Ray Trace Issues

[cbdesign]

Hello, 

 

Out of nowhere, I am having major problems with my ray traces. For years I have been able to generate decent renderings without much manipulation to the settings, and now I don't know what is going on. In CPU Ray Tracing, my renderings are so dark you can hardly see anything, and in physically based, my ray traces are grainy and materials are not showing up properly. 
 

I uploaded my model here. In a similar model, I was able to get the renderings to look okay by turning up the can lighting so high that I couldn't even see anything in the standard model view because it was so bright. I have never had any of these issues before, I am lost. 

I've attached the model here, as well as a couple of images in standard view and in the CPU ray trace. 

 

Thanks so much for the help in advance. 

McKean_Kitchen - Copy.zip

[ericepv]

You need much more light than the 30 Lumens you have specified now, try bumping that up to around 750. You could also try changing the can lights to spots instead of point lights with a moderate lumen setting and tn use added light sources set at 500-1000 lumens (you'll need to experiment a bit) and place them no more than 60in high (to avoid a bright spot on the ceiling. I'd also keep the ambient light at a minimum (too much makes the scene look flat) and try adding some sunlight.

[cbdesign]

@ericepv thank you! Adjusting to 750 helps the ray trace (though, still on the dark side)... but it makes the model so bright in camera view I can't even look at it. 

[GeneDavis]

Screencaps would help us understand.

[ericepv]

7 minutes ago, cbdesign said:

@ericepv thank you! Adjusting to 750 helps the ray trace (though, still on the dark side)... but it makes the model so bright in camera view I can't even look at it. 

Yes, it will do that but it's the finished RT that counts.

[cbdesign]

@ericepv understood, but it's very difficult to work in a model that looks like the attached image.. and the rendering is still dark too (image of this attached too). I know I sound like a broken record, it's just strange because this has never happened to me before, and I am not doing anything different with my models that I can figure out. I appreciate the responses and help so much! 

[ericepv]

Make all of your adjustments first and then turn on the additional lighting for your RT. As an alternative, have you considered a PBR RT instead? I've found this method provides superior results for interior renderings and is much quicker.

 

 

[kellyh]

We've got some really good videos that go into specifics with Chief and Ray Tracing in X14. I'd recommend taking a look at them. Lots of really good info there.

 

Here's a link to the Ray Tracing playlist: https://www.chiefarchitect.com/videos/playlists/103/ray-trace.html

 

Hope that helps!

[robdyck]

3 hours ago, cbdesign said:

it's very difficult to work in a model that looks like the attached image

Christy, have you saved the RT camera and set it to use a specific light set? There are no saved cameras in the plan you attached, nor are there any light sets.

[robdyck]

PBR-RT Almost instant

RT about 6 minutes.

 

[robdyck]

4 hours ago, cbdesign said:

I am not doing anything different with my models that I can figure out

The lights on the ceiling are puck lights, normally used for under cabinet lighting. Is that intentional? Also, they are point lights when they should be spot lights.

I'd suggest trying the 4" or 6" recessed light from the library and make sure it is a spot light. For a Ray Trace, you will need accurate lumens settings, about 850 for each light.

[cbdesign]

@robdyck thank you! I believe the ceiling lights are recessed cans, that's the chief catalog they came from. I adjusted them to spot lights and it helped a ton! 

[GeneDavis]

Experiment with beamspread, dropoff, distance from, and lumens.  Also shadows on/off.  

I usually also place a point light about head-high somewhere and maybe a low-lumen spot to light dim areas like corners and knee space under overhanging island tops.