| Caustics? How Memory intensive? Do they work?
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 | Caustics? How Memory intensive? Do they work?
by Larry Keiser on Sep 17, 2001 at 6:37:13 pm |
I haven't yet purchased C4D XL, but I'm interested in the "Cautics" feature. I have tried out the demo and as far as caustics are concerned I only get "out of memory" messages. Since the demo is non-saving, it's rather a pain to set up caustics, and in all likleyhood I'm doing it wrong anyway, my question is: has anybody gotten good results they'd like to show?
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• | | | |  | Re: Caustics? How Memory intensive? Do they work?
by C{rey}C on Sep 17, 2001 at 10:36:56 pm |
Nope, Sorry. I do not readily use it but I have experimented with it a little and it looks promising for it's application in a scene, albeit quite memory intensive. It really slows down rendering unless you find the balence of speed, and "resolution" so called. By the way, how much RAM are you working with?
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• | | | |  | Re: Caustics? How Memory intensive? Do they work?
by Mark Simpson on Sep 17, 2001 at 11:56:43 pm |
you can reduce the photon counts, the energy level, the sample radius, and so on to reduce the ram/render hit. there are adjustments in the render settings as well as the caustics tab of the lighting dialog.
you really should read the entire section on caustics in the manual, as you'll need somewhat of an overall education as to how all the settings interact, to start getting reasonable render time/quality ratios.
the same hold pretty much true for radiosity. so many of the settings interac, that an understanding of what they all do is required. just playing around wit these two areas of xl isn't likely to get you anywhere except frustrated.
mark simpson
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• | | | |  | Re: Caustics? How Memory intensive? Do they work?
by SunnyC on Sep 18, 2001 at 1:44:08 am |
Hi, I've played with caustics a little. Although I've only bothered to test the 'surface caustics' solution only. I'm a little hesitant to try volume caustics because of how much time I'm expecting it to take. Here's an example of a simple caustics test I did with a glass ball  It's nothing jaw-dropping, but at least I know it works. The only thing I haven't been able to achieve is reflected caustics. You know how light bounces off a swimming pool and you see the refracted caustic pattern on the ceiling? I just can't get that happening in my scene. I saw it on one of the examples images that comes with the package but haven't been able to reproduce it. Here's an an example of a scenario I've tried it on.  Any suggestions anyone? SunnyC
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• | | | |  | Re: Caustics? How Memory intensive? Do they work?
by thorn on Sep 18, 2001 at 3:10:25 am |
Offhand i'd try increasing the photon energy a substancial amount. However, you do risk "blowing out" the scene, so if that starts to happen you might be better off faking it.
Not as sexy as "REAL CAUSTICS!" i know, but in general whatever works with the least hassle is my preferred solution.
thorn
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• | | | | | Re: Caustics? How Memory intensive? Do they work?
by SunnyC on Sep 18, 2001 at 3:13:16 am |
Thanks for the reply Thorn. When you say 'fake it' though, do you mean projecting an image of a caustics pattern onto the ceiling?
SunnyC
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• | | | | | Re: Caustics? How Memory intensive? Do they work?
by thorn on Sep 18, 2001 at 3:18:49 am |
When you say 'fake it' though, do you mean projecting an image of a caustics pattern onto the ceiling?
Yep. :)
thorn
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• | | | | | Re: Caustics? How Memory intensive? Do they work?
by SunnyC on Sep 18, 2001 at 3:19:55 am |
Thanks. I'll give that a try.
SunnyC
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• | | | | | Re: Caustics? How Memory intensive? Do they work?
by Larry Keiser on Sep 18, 2001 at 9:53:36 pm |
Hey Thanx everybody,
I really appreciate the samples. if nothing else it seems like you've got a very responsive community for this product. If I can ever get the sales rep to call me back from Maxon, I think I'll take the plunge.
Does anyone have a comment on whether the caustics in C4D XL are basically the same as the ones in Lightwave?
I'm trying to decide whether to upgrade Lightwave or just get Cinema, in all likelyhood I'll do both, but from what I can tell Cinema is an all-around better experience on the Mac. All 3 of my Lightwave upgrades have been problematic and I really don't feel like throwing away another $500 on it again.
Oh, and sorry about the finger, Mark.
Larry
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• | | | | | Re: Caustics? How Memory intensive? Do they work?
by Mark Simpson on Sep 18, 2001 at 11:46:53 pm |
Hi Larry,
There was somebody that pipes in here often that is a Maxon distributor, and is always claiming to offer good prices on their products. You might try using the search engine for his posts.You can also order direct from Maxon if you are in the US. Where are you located, if I may ask?
but from what I can tell Cinema is an all-around better experience on the Mac. All 3 of my Lightwave upgrades have been problematic and I really don't feel like throwing away another $500 on it again.
One thing I can tell you, is that Cinema is rock solid. I'd put it up against anything out there for stability, and they (Maxon) work harder than anyone to make sure that their product is 'ready' to ship when shipped, and that they ship when promised. The development pace is unmatched, and my experience with support has been excellent.
Oh, and sorry about the finger, Mark.
Thanks, me too. I'll likely not do 'that' again for a while.....8^)
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• | | | | | Re: Caustics? How Memory intensive? Do they work?
by Larry Keiser on Sep 19, 2001 at 12:53:49 am |
Hey Mark,
I'm just hanging out in Marina Del Rey. I want to get the competitve upgrade since I own qualifying products, but I'm interested in seeing if there's going to be a bundle with the new physics engine plug-in and bodypaint (or whayever it's called).
Call me old-fashioned, but I find I can get a lot more done on stable software regardless of the feature set. I think C4D XL's stability is a big plus.
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• | | | | | Re: Caustics? How Memory intensive? Do they work?
by Mark Simpson on Sep 19, 2001 at 1:05:11 am |
Hi Larry,
I'm just hanging out in Marina Del Rey.
Hey, we're neighbors. I'm in Redondo Beach (two blocks from the pier).
Call me old-fashioned, but I find I can get a lot more done on stable software regardless of the feature set. I think C4D XL's stability is a big plus.
Then you won't be disappointed with Cinema.
I want to get the competitve upgrade since I own qualifying products, but I'm interested in seeing if there's going to be a bundle with the new physics engine plug-in and bodypaint (or whayever it's called).
Maxon USA is in the valley, and you can buy direct from them if you want. I don't know if they're planning on offering a bundle deal (but it would make sense), but you can give them a call. They'll sell you product direct or point you to a dealer who can supply you with what you need.
Mark Simpson
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• | | | | | Re: Caustics? How Memory intensive? Do they work?
by Mark Simpson on Sep 18, 2001 at 11:08:50 am |
Hi Larry, I smashed/broke my finger today, and woke up in the middel of the night, so while waiting for the vicadin to kick in so I can return to sleep I thought I'd mess with caustics some. Here's a glass with surface and volume caustics. The light pattern on the tabletop/floor/whatever is caused by surface caustics. The light source is slightly behind the glass and from the left side in relation to camera POV. One thing I forgot to mention earlier that you all probably know is that in order to use caustics, you need a volumetric light source. Mark Simpson 
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