SSS with omega can be cool...

[TheGarf]

...or that's at least what I thought while experimenting with this node. It is often overlooked because of sigma, kappa, kappa II and simple skin but once you have a correct node tree set up I have the feeling that you have much more control over it's looks and feel than with the other SSS shaders.

I was trying to create a translucent kind of jade material with the omega shader. Here it is on my favourite material test scene:

48072

Buddha is back-lit with a single point light, 4 AA, 0,032 AS, no radiosity. Rendertime 18 min 44 sec with "Multiple Scattering (Full Raytracing)" on.
It works with radiosity too and as far as I remember it roughly doubles the render time.

Here's my node setup:

48073

The upper logic node switches between 5% (= 0,05) reflection on the outside and 0% reflection on the inside of the material.
The bottom node switches between 0% transparancy for the ouside and 100% ( = 1) transparancy for the inside of the material.

:lwicon:

[bobakabob]

Another render that looks good enough to eat. Thanks for the node tree and helpful explanations, Garf. :thumbsup:

[joshthewimp]

Whats the physical size of your object?
Keen on knowing how the penetration-value acts here.:D

[TheGarf]

Whats the physical size of your object?
Keen on knowing how the penetration-value acts here.:D

The statue is 1,4 meter high, it looks like the penetration value is pretty accurate actually for the Omgea shader.

[JeffrySG]

looks very cool! thx for sharing the node setup... some of those material setups still throw me for a loop.... doh!

[Joe Battle]

Yeah! Looks great! I'll also say thanks for sharing the node set up. Great useful information.

[automan25]

Would you mind posting your scene and object files?

[A Mejias]

Or maybe just post the surface file?

[TheGarf]

Sure,

Here you go guys: 48451

:newtek:

[Scazzino]

Have (or can) any of you put an Omega surface inside a double-sided transparent object (http://www.newtek.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71525) and get it to render without artifacts? I haven't been able to find a work-around yet on a scene I'm working on...

I need the double-sided transparent surface because I want to use a transparency map on it and let it cast shadows on the enclosed objects...

I tried replacing my Omega surface with the one just posted above and I get the same rendering artifacts as with my surface, so I don't think it's a problem with any of my surface settings...

:compbeati

[IMI]

Thank you, TheGarf, for the upload. I spent some time playing around with it, and it answered some questions I was wondering regarding the logic inputs. Very cool. :)

[Russel]

OK, newbie here... especially with nodals,

Where do I put the .srf file? (no jokes please!) ... in fact, I can't figure out where any .srf files are that Lightwave accesses on my hard drive... did a search in the Newtek folder and came up with nothing except a help file page. Am I wrongly assuming something here - or did I screw something up when I installed LW?

As an alternative route, when I double click on the .srf file (that TheGarf so graciously gave out) I get an empty (?) Modeler scene. I then figured it was because I needed to set up my own model and would find the supplied omega surface within the surface properties or nodal screens (or somewhere), but I've been unsuccessful if this is the case.

Giving up on those attempts (and coming to grips with my "knewbie knowledge" of LW), I then tried to recreate the surface using his initial screen shots and was just about done when I came to the point where he states:
"The upper logic node switches between 5% (= 0,05) reflection on the outside and 0% reflection on the inside of the material. The bottom... etc. ...material."

... just where/how is this done in the logic nodes? I am using 9.2 and don't see anything that relates to 'outside' and 'inside' in the Logic popup panel.

Thank you for your patience with another new guy on the block!
(Beautiful Jade material by the way!)

[Matt]

.srf (surface) files are the same (almost) as .pst (preset) files - the ones stored in your Preset Shelf window.

To use a .srf file you need to open the Surface Editor and click on the Load button.

I placed my collection of surface files in a folder in my Content Directory. Alternatively, after loading it in, bring up the Presets folder and double-click the sphere preview to store it in your Preset shelf (and converting it to a .pst at the same time).

[Russel]

Matt!
You fought off the evil "banshees" for me!
Thank you!

[Russel]

... Oh Man! That is cool!

Thank you!

[jasonwestmas]

Dragon's Lair has really great color comp! Thanks for the nodal boost Garf!

[agv]

Thanks for the cool shader!