cannot render martini glass properly in Genesis 2 Girl 6 Pinups 'n Props

FellfromGrace

Hi all, I purchased this a while ago - really taken by the martini glass and associated poses. However hard I try I can't get the glass to render properly. If I do it from the side the distortion in the glass is so ridiculously bad that it can't be used and if I do it from the top she just isn't sitting in anything, although the drink is IN the glass already, and you can see it, it is just not like she is sitting in liquid.

Has anyone else used this - either successfully or not, and does anyone please have any tips to make it render properly? I mean, it looks wonderful in the promo! :-)

Szark

I don't have it but without a visual reference with what is happening I would have to guess it could be down to the Max Ray Trace Depth in the Advanced Render setting being too low. But as I said I am only guessing.

OR

The distortion you refer to could be down to Refraction which in that case I would say that looks right as the promos show. Like how real glass reacts. Depending on what Surface this uses (Daz Default or Uber Surface etc) you may be able to turn the Refraction Strength down or if I uses Uber Surface then setting the Index of Refraction to a lower value with lessen the distortion as Uber Surface doesn't have a Refraction Strength Parameter.

FellfromGrace

Thanks so much for your comments .... I'll render one up shortly and post it up so that you can see. I realise there should be some refraction but the amount showing is a bit mad. have to rush out now but when I get back .....

FellfromGrace

Back again. I've done a couple of very quick renders using the martini glass. The view from the top isn't so bad, best one I've had so far actually. The side view though is what is tricky. Obviously there should be some refraction but as you can see, there is far too much.

I've only used the basic default render settings in DS and am not really au fait with what they should/could be. The most I ever do is render at larger sizes and higher resolution, as to the rest I'm a real dummy!

Here's a link to the promo pics: http://www.daz3d.com/pinups-n-props-for-the-girl-6

Jaderail

If you REALLY look at the Promo images not one of the Glass renders is a full on side view. Each is a little over the edge looking into to glass. I believe it was done just to avoid the distortion the Glass and Fluid does cause in a full on side render. I have rendered many a Glasses and liquids in my day, I'm very often surprised with the default retractions that pop up on screen.

FellfromGrace

yes I had just noticed that myself actually Jaderail! So in one way I'm pleased it's not just me, but a work around would be good if there is one, although not holding out much hope ... I might try playing with the refraction settings and see what happens (if I can find them) :-)

Jaderail

Open the Glass in the Surfaces Tab, both Reflection and refraction are a surface setting. For glass and fluids they work in combo and that combo works with Max Ray Trace Depth in the render settings. Smaller edits will be better unless your keeping notes and for Max Ray it works this way. Each Side needs to Pass the light (refract it) so a empty glass is a setting of 4 minimum, then add the fluids surface and we are up to 6 minimum maybe 8 and we have done nothing but load the prop. I personally use 2 above what I know is there and slowly go up by 2 until I get a good image out. Some times the bending of the light still beats me. This is often just where my lights hit the item.

Szark

I held off reply as the answers were in my post for which you got the idea of looking for the refraction setting. Jad has given you a hint of where that settings is.

But as I said before it does depend on what shader this uses i:e: Daz Studio Default surface or Uber Surface etc. When in the Surfaces (Colour) Pane select the glass surface and look at the top of the pane and it will tell you what shader it is.

If it is the DS Default then you have a Refraction Strength setting. I would try lowering that first. Then to reduce the distortion more if needed lower the Index Of Refraction.

If the surface use Uber Surface then you will only have an Index of Refraction setting, no Strength which makes it hard to control.

Also it may not be just the glass it may also be the liquid that is causing more distortion. Not having this does make it hard for me to advise though.

Szark

Jad there is just one small promo (top right of the second promo) that shows how much the glass distorts but looking at it I would also say the reflection is adding to the issue too.

FellfromGrace

Thanks guys. I have found and am playing with the refraction settings. There are several surfaces, eg glass inner, glass inner dsmartini2 outer, glass outer, glass outer dsmartini2 outer, plus same two for the liquid. I have set all to zero to start with (but I'll continue playing), thank you so much for your advice. I haven't tried the max ray trace settings yet, though, that's next. This is the result at all refraction settings to zero using standard lighting etc: