Lighting Mirrors Properly

rcmaki

I've only been able to get clear,believable reflections in one set with a mirror.I don't understand how that was different from all other attempts.I have had training in real theatrical and photographic lighting techniques so the basics don't escape me.Any helpful advice is more than welcome. Thanks  

sriesch

What is the problem you are seeing?  A screenshot might help.

If you are using the 3DL render engine and the reflection in a mirror is jagged, this can be fixed by lowering the shading rate at the expense of render time (Render > Render Settings > Shading Rate).  In one example it was jagged at 1, but when changed to 0.1 it was better.

 

barbult

I agree, a rendered image showing the problem would be helpful in diagnosing it. And please mention which application (DS, Carrara, Poser) and which render engine you are using to render.

The item being reflected needs to be lit on the side facing the mirror. If light is coming only from a front spotlight, for example, the back of the object which shows in the mirror will be dark. Since you have training in lighting, etc., I am probably preaching to the choir, so to speak.

rcmaki

Thanks for the advice.So far I only use Iray to render.I'll get back here if it still doesn't work.Again,thanks !!!

kaotkbliss

What I usually do is select the surface of the mirror or glass (whichever changes only where the reflective surface will be)

I then apply the uber base shader and choose one of the nice silvery shiny metals presets for Iray.

Then I go in and turn up the glossy and glossy reflectivity (perhaps some more reflectivity settings but I can't remember)

I usually turn mine all the way up for a crisp, clear  reflection (even though that's not how mirrors in the real world work. It's what the subconsious expects to see I think)

barbult

Here's a tip from the Daz3D Help Center.

https://helpdaz.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/207530543-Getting-reflections-in-mirrors-in-iray

Tobor

barbult said:

The item being reflected needs to be lit on the side facing the mirror. 

^^^^^ This. People tend to forget that a mirror needs something to reflect. Daz scenes are often open universes with just a camera and some lights on the "audience" side, giving nothing for the mirror to reflect except the sharp outline of the light(s). An HDRi image, even if you don't use it for the lighting (i.e. low dynamic range) will at least put a reflectable image into the scene, and give the mirror something to show.

A sphere primitive, with a polished metal Iray surface, will help to visualize the reflectable image in the scene. Get it looking good there, and any flat plane mirror will work as well.