Object import

[steepside]

Hi,
I imported this very simple sphere from Blender as an obj file, standard export setting with Normals and HQ clicked.
In T2 all the settings are again standard. The sphere has a simple white image shader.(T2 OBJ Reader Warning: "could not open mtlib...)
I outlined the problem with a red circle; the blocky squares. I followed many advices from the posts in this forum but I can't make these blocks disappear   I have imported simple objects from other softwares all giving the same results.

I appreciate help and advice, cheers.

[Henry Blewer]

Terragen 2 likes imported objects to be made of triangles. Blender likes quad shapes. When using the exporter, click on the Triangles option.

[steepside]

Hi njeneb,

I tried this method, triangulating the sphere on export but unfortunately the problem persists. T2 does not seem to be 'smoothing' between the light and the dark.

I have used Poseray, to a degree, not very familiar with the software yet, but I ended up with the same result. I have seen many scenes with beautifuly renderd objects without the blocky squares.

How does one import into T2 successfully?

Cheers.

[airflamesred]

Is the sphere just a test?The TG sphere is better if you're going for that retro bryce image! It does import objects fine - for me anyway

[steepside]

Hi airflamesred,

It is a test. The idea behind it is that how well T2 can handle simple objects for rendering such as spheres,cubes etc.
What application do use ? And which settings do you set for exports ? And also the settings in T2 for imported Objs. Really appreciate it.
I'm keeping the scene very simple at moment and  testing simple imported Objs in rendering.

Cheers.

[gregsandor]

Terragen 2 likes imported objects to be made of triangles. Blender likes quad shapes. When using the exporter, click on the Triangles option.

I use quads exclusively, and prefer Anim8or for preparing models.

[steepside]

Hi gregsandor ,

I have heard of Anima8or but have'nt used it. Have you imported a simple Obj sphere into T2 from Anima8or? If so, does T2 render the blocky squares?

Cheers.

[gregsandor]

Try it.

By the way, did you check to be sure that the object contains smoothing informjation and that in the object dialogue in TG that Use Smooth Normals is on?

[airflamesred]

I use metasequoia and export quads. Default TG settings on import (despite the ambiguous wording) This model is fairly low poly and has diffuse, specular, reflective and bump maps applied (not much bump though)

[steepside]

@ gregsandor
I checked Set Smooth and Auto Smooth in Blender; and in Terragen Smooth Normals is checked. The results are the same. There are so many variables involved but,one of them must be right.

@ airflamesred
Your model does'nt have blocky squares anywhere. T2 seems to render the import objs smoothly.

Cheers.

[airflamesred]

From my experience objects are fine unless you have large curves. By large I mean compaired to your image size. If you zoom out the problem gets smaller as it would with a decent texture and displacement.

[gregsandor]

Have you confirmed in another program that the model actually is smoothed?

[j meyer]

Hi,
looks like your polycount is too low.So 1 or 2 more smooth subdivisions
should help,hopefully.

[airflamesred]

Surely the lack of polys would show on the circumfirence as flat sides and not just where the shadow border is. It must be something to do with the settings within TG.

[steepside]

@ airflamesred
You are right a decent set of displacement and tecture will reduce this effect.

@ gregsandor
I exported a simple smooth sphere from Carrara 8 with the same results. I will do the same with Lightwave too.

@ j meyer
The Poly is low I increased the polys and the sphere was rendered very smoothly.


I tested this simple sphere(low poly) in Bryce 7 and Vue and both showed the same blocky squares as T2 render. Non enviroment 3d applictions seem to render the low poly sphere smoothly. This blockinees must be exclusive to 3d  enviroment applications.

I'm testing and rendering various objs and will post them here very soon.



Cheers.