V-RAY: GI Helps with Noise

While following this tutorial:
http://www.vray.com/vray_for_3ds_max/tutorials/rendering_an_interior_scene_tutorial.shtml#Part_I:_Adjusting_the_GI_settings

I did a few tests on a current project I'm working on, and GI on default settings help smooth out the image in terms of noise.

Scott Robertson: Rendering Form with Value

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZlpcrpA5u0

Notes:

• drop in a gradient background (dark grey on top, medium grey on bottom) to start.
• gradient value opposite of light direction
• Brain interprets "form" change through "value" change, not color change.
• If you have a nice line drawing, you can put it on a top layer and set it to "Multiply" and leave it across the top.
• Whenever you want to introduce a form change, introduce a value change.
• Use simple top lighting.
• Opposite value gradient to main light will ensure the silhouette is always visible.
• Put object on a layer on it's own and check 'preserve transparency' for masking out the background.

• Quick and dirty:
• Use Burn and Dodge tools after setting a medium grey fill on object.
• Dodge on any surfaces where light will hit.
• Perpendicular to the light will be the brightest.
• Tangent to light you get "Core Shadow", aka "Terminator"
• Better way:
• Make a new layer on top.
• Click division line between base and top layer while holding "Alt", and you get a clipping path layer.
• Set to "Multiply" so as to not lose any of the line work.
• Look to the outside of your silhouette, and if it's an undercut, wrap the shadows around to the front surface.
• Again, Tangent to your light source is your "Core Shadow"
• Fill in the "Lights", Fill in the "Darks", then come back and paint in-between the values.

• Since it's on another layer, you can tweak layer opacity to your liking.
• Create "Cleanup" layer on top and add refinement and details.
• Duplicate canopy section and put it on Multiply.
• Paint in the small details inside the canopy.
• paint in driver to show scale.
• paint on specular.
• soft overall
• sharp point highlight

Refinement:

• Take value below from background, and start painting in the bounce light on to the vehicle.
• It's okay to airbrush over the top of line art.
• Make sure bounce light doesn't overpower main light.
• Any forms in the shadow side can be shown using the bounce light.
• Begin switching from line work to "Surface"
• To show nice lines, you need nice Surfaces.
• Two surfaces form an Edge.
• Put "Radius" on the flat panel edges, as well as 'hard' edges.
• Work quickly without zooming in, "Just to make things go bump."

• Form Change = Value Change

• Side profile drawings are a good practice for rendering because you have to work your values.
• Also good to work in grayscale because you can concentrate on form.
• Tutorial currently uses a simple airbrush, but you can use a more textured brush if needed.
• Could use a flattened elliptical brush for more of a 'painterly' look.

• Once you get your base forms working, everything looks 3D, you can go in and start "Sculpting" the form.

• A technique from traditional media, clean up your silhouette with colors from your background. 

That's basically it, other than adding in some color and texture on top.  More to do:

• Noodle time!:
• keep refining the:
• forms
• volumes
• cut lines
• radii
• fillets
• planes
• adding graphics
• Tip for graphics:
• Marquee areas to be decals
• Duplicate layer with marquee info
• Darken
• Go back and erase to clean up
• Can also continue adding details, like mechanical bits, etc.

• Other render tips:
• Cool to Warm (outdoor rendering)
• "Color Dodge" mode gives very metallic surfaces
• have to go into layer settings and disable:
• Blend Clipped Layers as Group
• Transparency Shape Layers
• CTRL + SHIFT + V: Paste back into place.
• Incorporate value change into reflections.