Introduction to Lights in V-Ray Next

2h 10mBeginner2020-08-10

Authors

Brian Bradley

3D Artist, Business Owner

Course details

V-Ray Next for 3ds Max offers smart lighting tools that intelligently analyze scenes and optimize ray calculations. In this course, instructor Brian Bradley shows how to use the V-Ray Next VRayLight—also called the plane or rectangle light—in its various operating modes: Plane, Dome, Sphere, Mesh, and Disc. The course starts with a refresher on light behavior in the real world and demonstrates how those principles translate to the rendering environment. Brian then shows how to adjust the different settings and controls of the VRayLight and put those techniques into practice by lighting a sample scene. Tackle the challenge on your own first and then review Brian's solutions for illuminating the scene with each of the VRayLight operating modes. This course provides a thorough introduction that can help you master the technical aspects of lighting in V-Ray Next, so you can focus on the art and craft.

Topics include:
Analyzing light behavior
Controlling light color and intensity
Controlling shadows
Adjusting direction and size settings
Lighting a sample scene

Skills covered

V-RayChaos GroupVisualization3ds MaxIntroduction toRenderingMotion Graphics and VFXAutodeskVisualization and Real-TimeAECProduct and ManufacturingAnimation and Illustration

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - An introduction to lighting in V-Ray
02 - Software versions used in this course
03 - Gamma and unit settings
04 - Using the provided scene files

1. Understanding Light Behavior

05 - Light behavior
06 - Light waves or light rays
07 - Understanding light decay
08 - Working with color
09 - Size, shadows, and highlights
10 - Photographic lighting tools
11 - Controlling color bleed

2. The VRayLight - Common Settings

12 - An introduction to the VRayLight
13 - Controlling intensity and color
14 - The on, target, and texture controls
15 - Setting the lighting units
16 - The invisible and no decay options
17 - Working with exclude and include controls
18 - Affect diffuse, specular, and reflection
19 - Controlling shadows
20 - Skylight portals
21 - The sampling rollout
22 - Viewport and advanced options rollouts

3. Unique Mode Settings on the VRayLight

23 - The directional controls
24 - The size parameters
25 - The dome light rollout
26 - The mesh light rollout

4. Putting Everything Into Practice

27 - Challenge - Lighting the sample scene
28 - Lighting the sample scene - Dome light
29 - Lighting the sample scene - Plane light
30 - Lighting the sample scene - Mesh light
31 - Lighting the sample scene - Sphere light

Conclusion

32 - What next