Learning VRay Bundle

VRay Lighting Techniques: Exteriors

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Instructor:
Chris NICHOLS

Formats: (Mac or PC only)
DVD-ROM

In this lecture on the subject of Global Illumination lighting techniques, Christopher Nichols discusses the subject of exterior lighting. This DVD covers a general introduction to the principles of Global Illumination, which are essential to the understanding of this specialized form of lighting. While the series primarily uses VRay as the render engine in a 3ds Max environment, those using other GI renderers will also benefit from the conceptual techniques described. From the general concepts of reflected specular and diffuse light, to sky lights and image based lighting with HDRIs, Christopher shows how to light scenes using real world lighting in a fully reflective environment. He also demonstrates how to tackle the issues of animation by finding the most optimal way to bake lighting for exterior sets. This series is geared toward the CG artist that already has an intermediate understanding of direct lighting and is making the transition to GI lighting.

Over 3 hours of lecture.

Topics Covered:

Principles of Global Illumination
Specular and Diffuse Reflection
Comparison of Different Techniques
Sky Lights
Image Based Lighting
Using HDRIs
Animation Issues in GI
Baking Lighting Animation

Chapters:

01: It Is All About Reflection
02: Methods of Producing Diffuse Scatter
03: Environment Light
04: Image Based Lighting
05: Lighting an Exterior Scene
06: Changing the Mood
07: The Problem with Animation
08: Animation for Large Scenes

VRay Lighting Techniques: Interiors

Click here to view a sample clip from this DVD

Instructor:
Chris NICHOLS

Formats: (Mac or PC only)
DVD-ROM

Continuing from his first DVD, Global Illumination: Exteriors, Christopher Nichols explains how interior global illumination differs from exterior GI. Christopher focuses on the concept of digital sets and explores issues of interior lighting for GI, including the variety of light sources that can be used, as well as how space plays an important role in lighting. Christopher demonstrates the differences between regular light sources, environment light, IES lighting, area lights, and even how geometry and shaders can affect the lighting of a scene. Additionally, since bouncing light plays an important role in interior GI, this lecture looks at some special techniques such as using VRay’s photon mapping and light cache. Christopher also explores the idea of baking lighting into textures, which is a useful technique for some situations. With Global Illumination: Interiors, you will see the rendering of an interior space in a whole new light.

Over 3 hours of lecture.

Topics Covered:

Principles of Global Illumination
Specular and Diffuse Reflection
Comparison of Different Techniques
Sky Lights
Image Based Lighting
Using HDRIs
Animation Issues in GI
Baking Lighting Animation

Chapters:

01: Key Elements from the Exteriors DVD
02: Interior Versus Exterior GI
03: Lighting Interiors with Exterior Light
04: Other Interior Light Sources
05: Lots of Secondary Bounces
06: Baking Lighting into Textures
07: Lighting Scenario 1
08: Lighting Scenario 2

Instructor BIO:

Christopher Nichols received a Bachelors in Mathematics and Fine Arts from Colgate University. He went on to get a Masters of Architecture from Rice University, where as a lecturer he taught the principles of architectural visualization and animation. After a long career in architecture, Christopher entered the world of feature film visual effects, specializing in color and lighting. Having spent several years at Digital Domain, Christopher has credits on such movies as The Day After Tomorrow, I, Robot, and Stealth. He is now a Senior Lighting Technical Director at Sony Pictures Imageworks.

The Minimum System Requirements are:
1GHz or faster processor
512 MB RAM
64 MB Video RAM
DVD-ROM Drive
5 GB of hard disk space
1280 x 1024 display

The Minimum Operating System Requirements are:
Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional,
Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
Apple® Mac® OS X 10.2

This DVD-ROM also requires the Quicktime Movie Player (Version 5.0.5 or higher), and Acrobat Reader (Version 5.0 or higher) in order to view its contents.