Simple Candle Still (noob) WIP

[RollerJesus]

My first attempt at a LW model/scene from scratch... Borrowed the flame from PixelFarmer's scene (http://www.newtek.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57170&highlight=candle+flame).

If anybody has some time, please give some criticism, comments, etc. Could use some more work.

Apologies if the image is a bit small, I'm having trouble getting the LW renderer to an image file. Render Globals, Save RGB checked with a file name assigned, but no luck. Help here would be greatly appreciated!

I used 2 area lights for key and accent, spot light for fill, classic camera. All textures are nodal, kappa on the wax.

Thanks in advance.
Patrick

[Pheidian]

Good start! You can save images in your renderer by checking the render globals save as you've done, then you just need to put range (in the top of the globals window) 0-0 (one frame only) and then render scene, instead of render frame.

[RollerJesus]

I appreciate the help, I'll save a larger image this afternoon when I get out of work.

[Mark The Great]

Someone, I forget who, posted a great wax texture using simple skin (see attached), although, I rather like the texture you have.

I'd round out parts of the candle, nothing's that sharp. :)

You'll probably be wanting to change that wood texture. Looks like it's on the planar mapping setting on the wrong axis. Try applying it to the y axis, or switching the mapping mode to cubic. On the note of wood textures, you ought to google Wood Workshop. It's an awesome free wood texture generator.

Also, I'd go easy to the area lights. :)

[RollerJesus]

@Mark
I had beveled the edges quite a bit, I think the low image quality doesn't do it justice, same with the graininess... I used the area lights for the softer shadows, but needed an accent to get rid of some of the graininess on the wax.

Thanks for the insight on the wood texture, looking forward to trying out Wood Workshop as well.

Again, I'll repost an update later on tonight.

Thanks!
Patrick

[RollerJesus]

Just an updated render with the change Mark recommended to the wood and some dimming of the lights.