Hello everyone!
This week I explored Otoy’s Octane Render more and built my Visual Library with my Weekly Challenges Group on Facebook.
Octane Render
In the search to incorporate 3d more in my workflow, I started looking for other ways to render my 3d assets. For some time now, I used 3ds max to quickly block in my 3d models and give them a quick unwrap. I saved the models and exported them to Unreal Engine to block out my scene. I really like the freedom it gives me in terms of choosing interesting shots by flying through the level. On the other end, I’m not really satisfied with the render possibilities, so I started looking for other programs out there.
GPU vs CPU
That’s how I came across Otoy’s Octane Render. It’s a GPU based rendering program and not CPU-based like the ‘traditional’ ones. This means it uses the graphics card(s) in your computer instead of the processor. The video card lets your computer render the graphics quicker because it takes the rendering away for your primary processing unit. In other words, the CPU is free to handle other tasks and the GPU takes over the rendering process.
The program comes in a stand alone version and a plug-in version is available as well. That way you can keep using your favourite modelling program and use the renderer as a plug-in.
I’ve been busy exploring the possibilities of octane renderer for some weeks now. I’m following some of the video’s of Julien Gauthier to help me with that. He has two videos where he shows the basics and advanced options of Octane Render. The videos are of a great help if you’re still exploring the renderer but unfortunately are not with spoken audio (it has notes explaining the work process).
If you want to check out the renderer, their is a demo version available on the website of Otoy.
Hopefully I’ll be able to show some works done with Octane in the upcoming months
Weekly Challenges
Other then that, I’ve been busy with drawing and building my Visual Library more for my Weekly Challenges Group on Facebook.
I started this group some years ago, first of all to have my students at Digital Arts and Entertainment drawing more during their free time. At the same time, it should encourage them to build their VisLib (visual library) and post their works on the group page. Finally, by doing so, I hope they learn to give and get critiques on their work.
Some of the previous topics included ‘Beach people’, ‘Old, but very old trees’ and ‘Medieval cool people’. Feel free to check out the works!
