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Author Topic: VRayLights in ForestPro object?  (Read 1455 times)

Morne

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VRayLights in ForestPro object?
« on: August 02, 2016, 11:18:05 AM »
Hi all

I have a light fitting with a VRayLight inside and grouped. Can I use this group inside a ForestPro object and still have access to the VRayLight via the VRayLightLister?
It needs to be instanced couple hundred times

Michal Karmazín

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Re: VRayLights in ForestPro object?
« Reply #1 on: August 02, 2016, 11:33:22 AM »
Hi,

Unfortunately, distributing non-geometric objects isn't supported. As posted on a related thread: "In the past we tried some tricks to avoid this limitation (specifically to create lights), but we were not satisfied with the result. Anyway we don't discard this idea for future versions, if we find a feasible way to implement it."

A possible work-flow for these cases would be to convert the Forest object (or its copy) to instances with help of the Forest Tools utility (toindividual instanced objects) and than clone your light object with 3ds Max's Clone and Align tool (with VRayLight objects). Or replace these instances with help of this Replace Objects Script (or any similar / your own script).

Just please note, that dealing with a high number of light sources could make the scene much more complicated for the render engine (in your case V-Ray). An option would be the use the VRayLightMtl. Well, both of these solutions has its own advantages and disadvantages, and it'll depend on its use.

If you'll choose the "VRayLightMtl work-flow", you can take advantage of the Forest Color map linked to the Light color map of that material. Please note, the Forest Color map can work in several Blending modes, which you might find in these situations very useful to tweak the final look.

Hope you'll find it useful.

Best regards,