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Assassin Render Testing (Patreon)

Published:
2021-05-20 12:27:52
Imported:
2026-06
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Content

Finally got sat down to get a good render setup going. The new Arnold render software (replacing MentalRay) had a similar generic sun/sky option to what I used before, but it was clearly not as good in many ways. So instead I'm getting set up with an HDR globe.

Unfortunately there's no easy option with HDR scenes to instantly make the model look like it's sitting on the environments ground, all it does is hit your model with accurate lighting from the photo/scene. So no fancy big visual upgrade to my setup yet. However with a ground plane thrown in for shadows this quickly looks like my old setup, but with slightly better lighting.

The main remaining downsides are these renders do take longer than before, and I can't show a horizon and sky like I did before in some renders. I think I can still do sky ok, but horizon is out, as I can't easily transition from my ground plane to the background image.

Maybe I'll do better in time... or I'll just get comfy with this for a few more years haha.

Does it look better to you?

Files

Previews only

Comments

Peter Shah

The lighting looks great to me. If you're asking for a wish list, a render of a model which is posed like it's miniature and lit from directly above would be a great painting aid. I have created my own lighting reference using a primed miniature and a desk lamp, but I wouldn't say no to a pre-rendered version. ;)

Raymond White

The shapes look great, but I really don't like the panel detailing and the exposed pistons on top of the legs are very strange. However, I'm glad the Assassin is getting a facelift, and the proper cockpit is accentuated a lot, though.

Martin Sweeney

I may have wee’d a little there. Love this.

ShimmeringSword
>>60217000

I've definitely used these renders to composition paint schemes before. A hard light layer in photoshop works great. What's the added benefit of being lit from directly above? I usually avoid that as it casts shadows oddly over a lot of the mech.

ShimmeringSword
>>60220966

Not sure I'd call them pistons, just rounded armor. Maybe Bishop thinks otherwise. I try to keep pistons out of BT unless they're more for shock absorbing.

Peter Shah
>>60217000

Most highlighted and shaded miniatures are painted as if the subject is outside at high noon on a clear day. It's the easiest to pull off and make look right in a 360 degree rotation. Pretty much every "Intro to shading" tutorial I've seen teaches that method as the default. I have seen some truly spectacular paint jobs with off-angle lighting, but that's usually done to achieve more interesting and advanced effects. Among other things, it brings in questions about how you will "light" the off-angles, since you don't want one whole side of a physical miniature to be completely in shadow. (That part is similar to photographic or cinematic fill lighting, and you can do some fun color theory contrasts with it, but it's a bit beyond "get it on the table" painting.) I'm at the level where I can reason pretty well about directional or multi-source lighting, but I am not at all confident in my ability to pull it off on a miniature. (Also, I'm hoping I didn't misinterpret your question. I took it as a question about the differences between 'conventional' 3d miniature painting and 2d art or digital renderings. I definitely don't mean to tell you your business!)

Raymond White

Piston or piston-like greebles. Got the point across. They seem like they're being protected by the armor on the sides of the thigh, which, for front armor, seems really odd to me. But either way, if it's locked in, it's locked in and I'm in no position to really complain about it. Worst case scenario I whip out some green stuff down the line.

ShimmeringSword
>>60260384

I absolutely support people greenstuffing the models, particularly so you can pick what area you prefer to place your decals. On this mech I can see people picking a side torso front and/or a knee guard to flatten before painting. It gets a bit constraining design wise if we need to keep seams largely away from thighs, shins, knees, shoulders, etc all the time. But even for like you say, filling/changing details you don't like in general, I like seeing people make those mods. I've enjoyed seeing people do their Nova mods.

Matthew Morris
>>60260384

Well since my 'simple field upgrade' is to replaces both launchers with a single MML 5, greenstuff all the way

Benjamin Myers (Bishop Steiner)
>>60220966

I'm sure there are shock absorbers all over a 40 ton machine that flies all over the place 210m at a jump and at 120+ kph, but I just draw stuff, I don't claim to know whats going on underneath the hood.

KaiserDunk

Makes it clearer just where the cockpit is on one of the ace bug hunter ‘Mechs.

Blacknight

This looks pretty sweet. Don't change it.