Free software for visualising light and shadow for the n00b?
Hi!
I get the impression some of you have some knowledge about doing graphical stuff on computers, and wondered if you know of any free software for accurately visualising light and shadow. Specifically, I want to be able to place a source of light (and preferably set its properties) on a surface in a very basic 3D environment and place some other things in the way of that light and see how it looks. Any and all tips very welcome
"One day, we shall die. All the other days, we shall live."
So you want to try your hand at making your own version of the rats fucking shadow art?
"In a field where an overlooked bug could cost millions, you want people who will speak their minds, even if they’re sometimes obnoxious about it."
Very roughly speaking
"One day, we shall die. All the other days, we shall live."
http://www.blender.org/features-gallery/features/Originally Posted by Aimless
Hi!
I get the impression some of you have some knowledge about doing graphical stuff on computers, and wondered if you know of any free software for accurately visualising light and shadow. Specifically, I want to be able to place a source of light (and preferably set its properties) on a surface in a very basic 3D environment and place some other things in the way of that light and see how it looks. Any and all tips very welcome
Should do the trick.
When the stars threw down their spears
And watered heaven with their tears:
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the lamb make thee?
VGStudio Max 2.0 has this, but the interface is god-awful. And it costs about 20 k€
In the future, the Berlin wall will be a mile high, and made of steel. You too will be made to crawl, to lick children's blood from jackboots. There will be no creativity, only productivity. Instead of love there will be fear and distrust, instead of surrender there will be submission. Contact will be replaced with isolation, and joy with shame. Hope will cease to exist as a concept. The Earth will be covered with steel and concrete. There will be an electronic policeman in every head. Your children will be born in chains, live only to serve, and die in anguish and ignorance.
The universe we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is, at bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil, no good, nothing but blind, pitiless indifference.
I also forgot about http://www.povray.org/
Though it does work a bit different than all other programs out there.
And there's also: http://sketchup.google.com/intl/en/index.html
When the stars threw down their spears
And watered heaven with their tears:
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the lamb make thee?
How detailed are you looking to get here? Because accurate, realistic lighting can get complicated, as well as memory and processor intensive. Then there is also the fact that "Lighting" is an actual job...but Blender is likely going to be your best free bet.
...you're also still going to have to read tutorials.
. . .
What does a retailer know about graphic designs!!!?... I kid, I kid, I kid... I've seen your work it's amazing, please don't smite meHow detailed are you looking to get here? Because accurate, realistic lighting can get complicated, as well as memory and processor intensive. Then there is also the fact that "Lighting" is an actual job...but Blender is likely going to be your best free bet.
...you're also still going to have to read tutorials..
Edit: You didn't even lol, now you just make me look like a dick.
Last edited by Lebanese Dragon; 02-02-2012 at 06:37 AM.
Blender. If you need the lighting more accurate, or want to play around with semi-transparent materials, you can get YafaRay raytracing engine for that, too.
Carthāgō dēlenda est
Thanks for the advice guys
"One day, we shall die. All the other days, we shall live."
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