February 2025 - DAZ 3D New User Challenge - Lighting and Light Effects
Linwelly
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Are you new to the 3D World? Are you at the beginning stages of learning 3D rendering? Have you been around for a little bit but feel you could benefit from some feedback or instruction? Have you been around awhile and would like to help other members start their creative journey? Well then come and join the fun as we host our newest render challenge!
Each month, there are two different challenges: A Beginner Challenge and an Intermediate Challenge.
So which "Challenge" should you choose?
Follow the Beginner Challenge if you are:
- New to the New User Challenges
- New to Daz Studio
- Newer to 3D Rendering in General
- Or if you have not participated in the February Lighting Challenge
Follow the Intermediate Challenge if you have:
- Participated in the New User Challenge for awhile
- Know the basics of Daz Studio and would like to learn more in depth topics
- Been using 3D Rendering Applications for awhile and feel comfortable with learning Intermediate Topics
- Or if you have all ready participated in the February Lighting Challenge
*Please be sure to list in your post which Challenge you are participating in*
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Beginner Challenge:
"Lighting"
This month's focus will be on how you light your image. Lighting is what defines and enhances the viewer's experience when looking at an image. Lighting helps a viewer to "see" the story. The presence of light, or the lack thereof, provides us with the ability to believe the world we are looking at. It can tell us if an object is round, whether it is close or far away, what colors were used and even if the surface is reflective. As an artist, it will be your ability to master the use of light, that will set you apart from the others. Below is a source list of lighting tutorials, articles and videos that will help you understand how to use your software, the different techniques used to light a scene, and the theory behind why lighting is needed. This list is not comprehensive; it is just a starting point.
Also, keep in mind the topics we've covered during previous challenges. Build upon what you have learned to create a compelling image to light this month.
This year of New User challenges is just getting started. So far this year we have covered :
Composition
Inspiration:
Check out the amazing entries and discussion in last year's Lighting Challenge.
Other Helpful Links:
When following tutorials, be cognizant of the different applications (Bryce, Daz Studio, Poser, Carrara Blender, etc.) and different render engines (3Delight, Iray, Reality, etc). Techniques for one may not apply directly to another.
How to Use Your Software:
DAZ Studio
VII - Lights
Daz 101: Lighting (video)
Point Lights, the Basics
DAZ Studio Lights Tutorial - Presets - 3D Software (this contains undressed characters that's why it has a warning at the start, just so you know)
3Delight IBL or HDR type lighting environments
UberEnvironment2 - Made Easy
UberEnvironment2 Basics
Learning UberEnvironment 2 Return to Topic
Uber Area Lighting: The Basics
commercial for 3Delight
IBL Master (store link) IBL Master Discussion (forum discussion)
Iray
Creating and Lighting a Scene with Iray in DAZ Studio by SickleYield
Lighting and Tone Mapping in Iray by SickleYield
commercial for Iray
Emission Profile Master (store link) Emission Profile Master Discussion (forum discussion)
Regarding ghostlights which had some changes since DAZ studio updated: https://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/551301/ghost-lights-what-s-happening-and-what-s-next/p1
Poser
Poser Pro 11 Tutorial: Lighting, Part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjCkDHWX6VM
Poser Pro 11 Tutorial: Lighting, Part 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_paY90kz40
POSER Tutorial Lesson 3: Lights https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3m4Xy5lPrE
Bryce
Artist’s guide page 125
Thoughts on Lighting in Bryce 7.1 by Rashad
Bryce: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C772CuZ6RgI
Bryce: http://www.bryce-tutorials.info/bryce-tutorials/lighting-and-skies.html#
Bryce: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-Pe-IVp_dY
Theory:
Mastering Lighting in Blender the first 25 minutes of the video is relevant for everyone not just blender users.
Lighting Basics:
http://www.3drender.com/light/3point.html
http://bensimonds.com/2010/06/03/lighting-tips-from-the-masters/
I will be checking in as will the rest of the Community Volunteers to try and help with anything you all may need.
For a list of the current contest rules, please see this thread: Challenge Rules
Closing Date: February 29, 2025
one example for the use of lights
Intermediate Challenge:
"Light Effects"
This is a general render challenge with the focus on using varous Light Effects, such as Gels and Gobos. We are providing you with some links on the topics from a variety of sources.
Gobos can be used to make interesting shadows and patterns, such as leaves, window blinds, geometric shapes, etc. Your imagination is the only limitation.
Gobos and Gels can be used in both 3Delight and Iray. There are many products in the DAZ Store or, if you are really adventurous, you can try to make your own.
This is as well where you can play around with bloom and all the fancy sliders in the tone mapping and environment settings
Gobo and Color Gel Lights Definition, Explanations and Examples
Gobo / Gel Light Definition
Color Gel
Gobo Light Portrait Examples
Gel Light Portrait images Examples
Gobo vs Light Gel
Gel Light Tutorials:
DAZ Studio Tutorial – Light Gels and “no poke through”
Daz Studio Lighting Tutorial - Gel Lights https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-BUXBjeQ9w
Daz Studio Iray Tutorial: How to Make Your Own Gel Light - text tutorial
Tone mapping and environment:
Tone Mapping DAZ Documentation
DazStudio Iray Render Settings - Tone Mapping - Guide With Examples (DAZ Forum Discussion)
Daz3d Tutorial | How To Use Tone Mapping (youtube by Steven Davis)
[Tutorial] Lighting and Tone Mapping In Iray (DeviantArt tutorial by SickleYield)
Environment (DAZ Documentation)
Closing Date: February 29, 2025
gobo -gel light combination
Here's the start of an idea I had for this month.
We see part of an argonian from The Elder Scrolls relaxing near the fire in a damaged building. (It may not seem like it is, but the building is the same one I used back in December for the render I did that month. We're in the room that was on the other side of the left wall in December's render. The fireplace and fire were added for some kitbashing.)
Saw a user do a one year update, thought that was kinda neat, figured I'd do one as well. :) I had made one for last month, but didn't manage to get it finished in time, ended up being quite a project..
Title: Summertime Naps
Software: Gimp, Daz Studio Beta 4.23.1.27
Challenge: Intermediate
It's my take on lighting in the Abandoned Classroom, I made a custom shader in the shader mixer and used volumetric scattering to get dynamic godrays, coupled with some heavy tonemapping. Did some color enchancement on the second image in Gimp, but the closeup of the Daz House Cat is all natural DS and Iray.
Title: Summertime Naps Pt 2
The forum is acting a bit weird on me today and not bringing a popup when I click to attach a file or browse to a file to directly attach it here, so I've uploaded these both to the Daz Gallery for now and will try to get them directly attached into this post a bit later when my PC isn't being so argumentive with me heh. Suggestions for improvement always open. :)
The images seem very good to me. Maybe some DOF in the second image could be cool, and if you dare, working on the textures of the crystals where the volumetric rays become visible, would give more nuances to the rays.
But hey, maybe they still have the window cleaning service in the classroom :)
nice start with the fire, I think we need to see a bit more of the person in front of the fire to understand what we see, for example pulling the camera out a bit more. Also maybe check the surfaces around the fire, they seem very glossy as if wet.
nice work with the cat pose! Also I really like what you did in the second image with the dark foreground area and the lit up back (very Rembrand-ish lightining technique), the goodrays really look great
Did some adjusting of the camera and some texture work last night. Posting this quickly before heading into work for the day.
Let's see if I can get those images attached today...
Success. :)
@iaunpom - great suggestions. I'll try my hand at it before the month's end and see if I can come up with something a little better. :)