Problems with shadows

[Christopher]

I played a bit with 3ds Max and I have to say, that it's the best to generate the lightmaps by yourself. I rendered two lightmaps of the exactly the same scene:

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This is the complete scene:



So, if this is exactly the same scene, why are the pictures looking so different? The answer: I used two different rendering engines. The first picture is rendered using "mental ray". The second is rendered with the "Scanlight Renderer". Both are included in 3ds max. I don't know which engine plasma is using to render the lightmaps, but as you can see: if you are using the right renderer you can dramatically improve your lightmaps.

Christopher

Edit: I forgot to mention: There is a slight prize for using mental ray. Depending on your scene and computer, the rendering process of the lightmap can take several minutes (up to an hour).

[Karkadann]

Been pulling my hair out trying to figure out the shadows in the Stonehenge, I either cant figure out how to do you guys are explaining,
and or its just not working the way I want so I decided to take a brake from it and make some light fixtures. Granted the textures arnt the greatest
but they can be fixed easily later

Im gonna work on some more old fashioned light fixtures, maybe an old style kerosene lamp, if any one needs a one for their age let me know

[Christopher]

If the whole lightmap stuff is too much for you, I can generate them for you. I only need the models (no textures and skysphere needed) and the position of the light(s). Best format would be .obj, but .max should also work (I am using Max 2013 to generate lightmaps. The renderers and light emitters are better...)

Christopher

[Karkadann]

Tempting offer, one that is difficult to refuse, however im gonna hafta learn this sooner or later, I just need to take a break from it, also I may be able to get as copy of Max 10.
I noticed altering the mesh in poly edit also effects the shadows even though the changes to the stones are not noticeable in game, and I did have the shadows on the stones smooth once
with a combination of doing several things but I can not remember what I did or the order I did them in.

If I can not learn from all the mistakes I have made collectively on the shadows in Stonehenge to produce the effect I am looking for then they where all for not.

Kinda reminded me of welding class I was having trouble running the 7042 rod so the teacher their put me on a 6010 rod which has the reputation "the rod from hell" its that difficult to deal with sometimes
after I got good at 6010 I went back to 7024 and the welds looked perfect.

So after I get the Stonehenge figured out, anything simpler should be a lot easer

all in the name of education

[Karkadann]

Im making a little progress, I found out how to smooth out the shadows kinda

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But the shadows where a bit backwards

It may come in handy when I start adding lights and stuff to other ages

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Eventually I figured it out

I just need to work out a few more details

[Christopher]

A small question I ever wanted to ask about these shadows... Where is the Light source? I never saw shadows like this in the night... If you want to make such shadows you should maybe replace the night sky through a day sky or you should add another big lantern or something similar...

Christopher

[janaba]

Hey, seems like a good question, Christopher ...

So, are you planning to add a moon or any other celestial body or light source to the sky, Karkadann? ...
There must be light coming from somewhere ... you can see it being reflected on the stones and the
lawn and just everywhere, which looks beautiful, also the shadows look very natural already, but it has
to come from somewhere ...

[Karkadann]

Which one do you think would look better a moon, a large star or perhaps hmm I have been working on an old light bulb

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The glass still needs a bit of work but I can add another island, It would add a bit of tongue and cheek to the Stonehenge


[janaba]

Though that light bulb is a beautiful object and could be useful somewhere else, I'd prefer a celestial
body like a moon or a sun ... With the tardis and the mushrooms around there's already enough tongue
and cheek stuff in that age, I believe lol ... And don't forget to adjust the shadows to the direction of
whatever light source you'll choose btw ...

[Rhee]

keep in mind of course that moons don't actually give off light, so probably a small sun would be the better choice in my opinion... but i suppose that this already a place that doesn't exactly follow the rules of physics as we currently understand them, so probably anything goes... even a giant lightbulb.