chris.k.erickson
chris.k.erickson
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Recent Forum Posts
Reading files from .zip folders... Dec. 27, 2012, 4:10 p.m.
Hello, I'm wondering if/how Houdini can read files from compressed .zip folders. In my case, I'm trying to read .rib files from within a .zip folder structure via RSL Delayed Read Archive nodes. I'm sure reading from .zip folders would be useful in many other situations so any pointers or advice would be great. Thanks!
Shadow Caster: Combining Raytrace and Deep Shadows... Sept. 20, 2012, 10 p.m.
Hi,
After searching for a couple days now I've been hard pressed to find a solution for combining the two shadow techniques from a light source(s). I'm working with a character with fur attached. My strategy is like the following:
(MircoPoly Engine throughout)
Take 1-
Render the hair with the rest of the geometry under “forced matte”. Deep shadows are generated at this time.
Take 2-
Render the rest of the geometry without while calling upon the deep shadow files created in Take 1 to project shadows casted by the hair onto the character.
This so far has been working ok for me but when I introduce motion blur, the deep shadows start to fall short while working on Take 2's surfaces. I've checked out a couple of other threads on this issue, the consensus being that increasing the bias will do the job. It certainly cleaned things up but after several tests I ended up with a few funky artifacts. I tried working with shadow mattes but the results were essentially the same, just assembled in post. Raytracing the shadows, albiet a tad more expensive, got me much cleaner and more predictable results but the problem now is that I'm missing out on the shadow data generated in Take 1 with the hair.
That said, I would like to ideally use lights with raytracing shadows during Take 2 on my surfaces while projecting the deep shadow information from Take 1 in conjunction using a *shadow caster* light. Is there a way to do this? Thanks!
After searching for a couple days now I've been hard pressed to find a solution for combining the two shadow techniques from a light source(s). I'm working with a character with fur attached. My strategy is like the following:
(MircoPoly Engine throughout)
Take 1-
Render the hair with the rest of the geometry under “forced matte”. Deep shadows are generated at this time.
Take 2-
Render the rest of the geometry without while calling upon the deep shadow files created in Take 1 to project shadows casted by the hair onto the character.
This so far has been working ok for me but when I introduce motion blur, the deep shadows start to fall short while working on Take 2's surfaces. I've checked out a couple of other threads on this issue, the consensus being that increasing the bias will do the job. It certainly cleaned things up but after several tests I ended up with a few funky artifacts. I tried working with shadow mattes but the results were essentially the same, just assembled in post. Raytracing the shadows, albiet a tad more expensive, got me much cleaner and more predictable results but the problem now is that I'm missing out on the shadow data generated in Take 1 with the hair.
That said, I would like to ideally use lights with raytracing shadows during Take 2 on my surfaces while projecting the deep shadow information from Take 1 in conjunction using a *shadow caster* light. Is there a way to do this? Thanks!