Real Water & HDRi's

OminousAutumn

Hi all.

1. How do I create water with some texture or the illusion of movement for realism with iRay?

2. I'm sure this a silly question but I have .exr HDRi files that are not nice for backgrounds, is the only place to use those in the "Enviroment Map" of the "Environment tab" in the "Render" section? I have them plugged in there and they provide NICER light than the .JPG HDRi maps but I would prefer to have my backgrounds come from the JPG, not the .exr. Do I need to purchase "background maps" that are picturesque AND provide nice light? I have added a "backdrop" in the meantime but they just dont look as nice as a wrap around HDRi JPG. Suggestions? Thanx!!

Paintbox

Don't know about 1, but I render two times, one without dome and a low res HDRI background... save as transparent PNG-24, and then a high res with only the dome (renders quickly), you can composite them both in your favourite image editor that has layers.

Richard Haseltine

1. will probably require a good mesh to start with, not just a shader set-up.

2. I'm not sure I understand - are you wanting to use a different image for backdrop and light, but keeping it as a sphere around the scene? I'm not sure that's possible.

BeeMKay

If you want real animation, https://www.daz3d.com/ireal-animated-ocean-water-system

otherwise, sets like https://www.daz3d.com/rigged-water-iray-2 come with some pre-arranged movement options. Or you just use an already existing 3DL water prop and use the water shader on it.

OminousAutumn

Thanks guys. New problem. The environment map image is being distorted outside of my windows. Bent. And a change in all the settings of Dome Only, Dome and Scene etc isnt doing anything. Please see picture. I have had this problem before but cannot remember how I fixed it, any ideas???

Richard Haseltine said:

1. will probably require a good mesh to start with, not just a shader set-up.

2. I'm not sure I understand - are you wanting to use a different image for backdrop and light, but keeping it as a sphere around the scene? I'm not sure that's possible.

 

BeeMKay said:

If you want real animation, https://www.daz3d.com/ireal-animated-ocean-water-system

otherwise, sets like https://www.daz3d.com/rigged-water-iray-2 come with some pre-arranged movement options. Or you just use an already existing 3DL water prop and use the water shader on it.

 

Paintbox said:

Don't know about 1, but I render two times, one without dome and a low res HDRI background... save as transparent PNG-24, and then a high res with only the dome (renders quickly), you can composite them both in your favourite image editor that has layers.

 

Richard Haseltine

Is that the lighting HDR with Draw Dome on? Does it render OK if you use it in an empty scene?

OminousAutumn

Richard Haseltine said:

Is that the lighting HDR with Draw Dome on? Does it render OK if you use it in an empty scene?

 

That is an HDR that is also the lighting...? And draw dome is on. Without walls/windows it renders the same...

Richard Haseltine

Is it an HDR from the store or one from the web? There'#s more than one way an HDR can be projected, it may be that the map is importing with the wrong choice. If you click the little thumbnail on the Environment Map slider and seelct Image Editor from the emnu you will get a dialogue in which you can set the Type: try seelcting the other option and see if that then renders. The other possibility is of course that it isn't a real HDR map and isn't set to wrap around a sphere.

BeeMKay

You can try Finite Dome instead of Infinite Dome, and then see if you can get the size fitted to what was used to create that HDRI.

Fishtales

Try changing the ground position to Manual.

OminousAutumn

Richard Haseltine said:

Is that the lighting HDR with Draw Dome on? Does it render OK if you use it in an empty scene?

 

 

Richard Haseltine said:

Is it an HDR from the store or one from the web? There'#s more than one way an HDR can be projected, it may be that the map is importing with the wrong choice. If you click the little thumbnail on the Environment Map slider and seelct Image Editor from the emnu you will get a dialogue in which you can set the Type: try seelcting the other option and see if that then renders. The other possibility is of course that it isn't a real HDR map and isn't set to wrap around a sphere.

 

BeeMKay said:

You can try Finite Dome instead of Infinite Dome, and then see if you can get the size fitted to what was used to create that HDRI.

 

Fishtales said:

Try changing the ground position to Manual.

Thanks all. Not sure im having much success but I appreciate your help!

CGHipster

You would want to add noise to the water via texture maps, I have done this following online examples.

https://thinkdrawart.com/water-shader-tutorial-for-daz-studio-iray

CGHipster

If I can suggest what I feel is one of the most useful plugins in the store imo and I have a lot of favorites but this one is at the top of the list, it is the Iray Geo Lighting plugin.  You will always get great lighting for your outdoor renders regardless of your background.

OminousAutumn

Richard Haseltine said:

 

OminousAutumn

CGHipster said:

You would want to add noise to the water via texture maps, I have done this following online examples.

https://thinkdrawart.com/water-shader-tutorial-for-daz-studio-iray

Im afraid I already tried this a while ago bc thinkdrawart is a great resource, but I still did not get results even close to yours, thank you for your help anyhow!