How, lol i cant find any information on how to set this up. Any one have any links or information on GI. maybe even some examples would be nice.

Hi, there should be a VEX GI Shader in the SHOP network. You can always try the “Micropolygon Physically Based Rendering” option in Mantra output too.

Place an Environment light in your scene and click render.

Thnx i tried this out. The renders looked like crap. Is there free tut on improving rending.

hello. Can you please define how you meant by looked like crap? Is it too noisy, etc? You may have to increase the Area Samples higher than 64 to reduce the noise. In your Mantra ROP, you may have to increase your Min/Max Ray Samples too. May be even the Pixel Samples as well.

HTH

Houdini isn't a point and click solution for 3d, you do need to tweak things (a lot). There is a lighting tutorial from Sidefx which should get you going.

If i am not mistaken, there is even some documentation/example in the help system.

There is a help page called “Rendering quality and improving render time” that might be useful.

http://localhost:48626/rendering/renderquality [localhost]

it might help to have a link in the docs called “Global Illumination” that points to the appropriate page(s)
and a Rendering FAQ that has a bunch of “How Do I…” links

thanks. yes my render had an insane amounts of Noise. btw i noticed when placing an environment light, it added to the origin and i cant move it, is that normal. i haven't had time to check out the items you guys point out, but thanks ill check it out later this week.

I also found that I couldn't move the environmental light once created. I am new to rendering with Mantra so I will need to check out the tips above to remove noise.

I believe you're not supposed to be a able to move an environment light. It's a light, that's lights your whole environment. Imagine all your objects being in a light emitting dome, and that's your environment light. What you see is just something that lets you select it, not an actual representation of the light.

calilifestyle
Thnx i tried this out. The renders looked like crap. Is there free tut on improving rending.

As suggested, read the tutorials, and invest in the Digital Tutors title about rendering with Mantra in Houdini. It's a great start!

http://www.digitaltutors.com/store/product.php?productid=3557 [digitaltutors.com]

And, as always, knowledge of lighting is a profession that takes time to learn.

I would like to recommend this book:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Digital-Lighting-Rendering-Jeremy-Birn/dp/0321316312/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1225314772&sr=8-1 [amazon.co.uk]

It's great.