Grand MA Render Options

[lampielex]

Hi all. Im after any way to improve GMA 3d rendering. I have a computer that can handle 90% of what is thrown at it, and want to make the visualizer work as hard as possible. Are there any plugins to make it more realistic or a photo-realistic render.

 

 

Thats something I took on my phone, that I quickly designed earlyer.

I have been using GMA for 2 days now, I like it. But would rather have a desk infront of me :) but no chance to as of yet :(

 

If there are not any ways I can improve the quality, is there any software that is cheap that is better ?

 

Thankyou.

Lex

[DonkiDonki]

software that is better? yes, a few to choose from there.

cheap? not really. especially compared to gma 3d which is free....

 

 

to be honest, gma 3d is a remarkable package for the cost (?) chamsys are working on a basic visualiser for magicq but that is platform dependent and not even released yet. The likes of Wysiwyg, Capture & LightConverse have more powerful features but come at a price to match.

 

 

[indyld]

Agree with DonkiDonki above.

 

I would question the need for things to be "more realistic" or "photorealistic" when they come from a lighting visualiser. Even the latest releases of the most expensive lighting vis packages don't match up to something created in a CGI software like MAX or Maya by someone that knows their onions. And that's just the commercially available stuff, there is a reason why Pixar don't use the WYSIWYG render engine.

 

The main thing I learned making the transition from real world lighting to CGI work is that "realistic" and "reality" are not the same thing. No matter how many photometrics your put into your light sources or real world characteristics you put in your shaders/materials, you ultimately get the the most realistic renderings by knowing the capabilities of the renderer and bl***y well cheating everything!!

 

And such realism has a time overhead that Lighting Designers just don't have, not to mention render times.

 

The renderings from a visualiser are a balance between realism and all the other things the we need from them. Working on client visuals, in conjunction with other CGI creators, I will not use a lighting visualiser if photo-realism is the desired end product at that point in the sales cycle.

 

If the end product is to design, plan and communicate show lighting, then I'll make do with the less realistic renderings that I can squirt from a lighting visualiser after having created my plans, lists and generally tried things out including pre-programming.

[lampielex]

The main 3 aspects are :

LED fixtures and screens (That are bright, the ones in GMA are not bright enough for anything)

Be able to look "into" the light. On Gma if you have a foward focus pallet you cant see any fixture that is on.

 

Im not after photo realistic :/ just the next step. I love the visualiser so far, but its little things that I cant get right unless I change the angle of the camera (Thats the main reason im looking for something else)

:/

Thanks for the reply, Looks like im going to have to save up !

 

In your opinion whats the best software with bang for buck ?

 

Cheers guys

[Joe Bleasdale]

Now your onto a different subject - choice of vizualiser! The topic has been covered many times and should come up with a search of the forum.

 

I like Capture nowadays as I'm a Mac user and it works in a mac type workflow. But Light Converse is really good for windows and as a viz that you just use for 3D rendering and not much paperwork etc it's good. Both are similarly priced and you only have to pay for it once which is nice!

 

Give them all a test drive before purchasing. Ones to consider...

 

Capture Polar

Light Converse

ESP Vision

Martin Show Designer (MSD)

WYSIWYG

 

 

Thanks.

[lampielex]

Cheers. Ill see if anyone I work with has a copy of any of these.

 

Thankyou

 

On a side note. I have come across a new problem (Didnt want to start another thread)

 

I have built a stage programmed ect, but how do I change the beam angle of a generic fixture ? The default one gives a horrible wash and I only need a tight beam around one person. If its not possible, then its not possible. But it would be a nice touch if I could focus properly :)

 

Thanks

[grandMA_the_2nd]

You need to go into the fixture type and change its properties...

[lampielex]

You need to go into the fixture type and change its properties...

 

I can change it to a "Pinspot" generic when its not patched into the software. As soon as I patch one, then change it to a generic I loose the "beam angle" Option.