Soft Shadow work around (with image)

[rcallicotte]

Volker, the first image's background trees look better, more realistic.  But, I prefer the harsher, more contrasty and seemingly clearer foreground trees on the first picture.

[moodflow]

Nice work on those images Volker!  The quality is WAY better on the soft shadows image, (but might need the sun strength brought up a bit as it appears slightly darker).   I've recently found the soft shadow technique might require stronger lights, as there is more 'shadowing' in the image.

Anyway, I bet some of top TG2 images posted so far (for example Luc Bianco's and such) would look even better with the soft shadows implemented.  In fact, I am rebuilding some of my "to render" scenes to feature that soft shadow lighting.

Great explanation on the lite versus huge .tgc files.  You explained it perfectly.  That is exactly why I made 2 separate clip files.

[old_blaggard]

Very nice results, Volker!

[Volker Harun]

Calico, the problem with those distant trees is that they'll cause a noise pattern which increases with distance and density.
I bet that this noise is reduced by the softer look.
The matter of realsim is very subjective I guess. It depends on where you live and the place's climate.
Another subjective point is that I would prefer the foreground trees even softer

Moodflow, I agree - I would rerender quite a bunch of my old files if they'd exist (dataloss after deleting a backup )
Attached is the finished render with curves to brighten it a bit up.

OB: Merci - I hope you enjoyed your trip 

[rcallicotte]

Yes, yes.  This is much more realistic.

[sjefen]

This is great, but I think you should put some clouds in there.
On a clear day like that the shadows are pretty sharp.

[Volker Harun]

Sjefen, these were my thoughts.
The light scattering due to overcast is not that strong on objects like I wish it were.
Another point might be that my AA-settings were quite low as always. A very silent voice in my head tells me but that AA will not work that good on objects ... wait and see.
I kill that overcast-heavy haze render now as it is not promising and'll go for AA.
Volker

[moodflow]

Volker,

The finished image looks great! 

I'll post some of mine once they are done.

[BPauba]

Great work Volker, the leaves look fantastic!

[rcallicotte]

heading in the right direction...

Good job, Volker.

[digidon]

This subject has been covered extensively.  Nothing in this post is new, concerning soft light.  But, I had to experiment with some of the lighting options myself just to see first-hand what effect they produced.  Then, since I had the results, I thought I might as well post them.
http://www.higherworld.com/lighting/

[moodflow]

Nice work Digidon!

[moodflow]

Soft shadows via diffuse light (using a light dome):

This would simulate more of an overcast day.  It has more of that "image based lighting" look to it, though still more work to do.

The rendertimes go sky-high on these, even more than I expected, but the results are nice.

[old_blaggard]

The results are pretty nice.  Good work!

[Volker Harun]

The result is wonderful - must be a huge setup.
The herbs on the second image look very convincing.