Watch WIP

[ActionArt]

Hi All,

I'm working on a sample for one of my clients. It's the first time I've done this type of project so any comments or suggestions are most welcome

This is the first test render. Since I'm new to Softimage I'm forcing myself to model everything in SI to speed up the learning process. There's no post yet except for DOF. I've included a couple of the reference photos I'm using.

[Hirazi Blue]

Nice work so far...
The materials seem to lack some "glossiness"
(if you aim to recreate the reference images (more or less) exactly) ;)

This is MR, I presume?

[Zafar Iqbal]

Model seems to be OK. The setup could use some work.

You need some "sparkle". Some bright white highlights. Doesn't have to be much nor does it have to be large areas, but at least some. Otherwise the render and product looks dull.

Your ligthing is OK as a startingpoint, but I'd use more than one especially to brighten up the shadow. Even though front/top of the watch is thouching the ground it somehow still looks like it's floating. You need more depth/refinement in the shadow area.

The surface of the watch look a bit platicish. This could be due to a too soft reflection image. Try altering it so it has more contrast. Try a different one or alternatively try with reflection planes. Reflection planes will give you the added flexibility of placing them exactly where you want them and how big or small you want them.

Also, some rim/backlighting could do the setup good too.

I hope thats not too much but rather helpful to you.

[Rork]

Nice one

I like the last two best, they have some some 'life' to them, probably due to different reflection setups.

rob

[Hirazi Blue]

I assume the last two are his reference images... ;)

[Rork]

i definitely need -much more- coffee this morning LOL!!!

[ActionArt]

Thanks for the tips! It's just a start so the materials and setup definitely need work.

[ActionArt]

You need some "sparkle". Some bright white highlights. Doesn't have to be much nor does it have to be large areas, but at least some. Otherwise the render and product looks dull.

You're very right. Do you have any suggestions on how to achieve a good believable "sparkle"?

Try a different one or alternatively try with reflection planes. Reflection planes will give you the added flexibility of placing them exactly where you want them and how big or small you want them.

I do have reflection planes in there but placing them has proven tricky. But, then again I haven't spent much time on it so more today

Also, some rim/backlighting could do the setup good too.

I hope thats not too much but rather helpful to you.

Thanks, very helpful. Oh, yes it's mentalray for rendering Hirazi.

[ActionArt]

Working on the reflections and color scheme a bit. I tried adding some reflection cards with and HDR gradient to make the highlights more intense. Some of the materials need a brushed texture so working on that next...

Still playing with the position of the reflection cards, not quite happy yet but better I think. Let me know what you think.

[Zafar Iqbal]

I think you are headed the right direction. The brighter reflections add a lot to the quality of the render. Positioning reflection planes can be time consuming - it's all about positioning and resizing them, so you get reflections just on the areas you want - and remember: not all reflection planes need to have same brightens. Some can be brighter than others.

A good tip for positioning refl. planes is to hide everything else - you can even turn off lights so all you see in your render are reflections. If you can come up with a setup that looks somewhat good with reflections only then the real render (with lights etc) will look even better.

I think perhaps the contrast on the backdrop is a bit too high. It's not fully there yet. Or perhaps it could work with a lesser harsh transition from dark to bright.

[ActionArt]

Here's a bit of an update. I'm happier with the reflections. I'll work on the background and brushed texture next...

A good tip for positioning refl. planes is to hide everything else - you can even turn off lights so all you see in your render are reflections. If you can come up with a setup that looks somewhat good with reflections only then the real render (with lights etc) will look even better.

That does work well!

[Zafar Iqbal]

Your render is improving quiet a bit. The new picture aspect helps a lot too. Keep it up

[rray]

Nice work, model ist a 100% match. With some more work on the materials you'll have an exact copy of the original reference. For the background I think the white from the refs works best...matter of personal taste of course.

[ActionArt]

Thanks guys! I was just about to try white just for fun

I still have to model the clasp on the band. I didn't think I'd need it but you can see the hole if you look close so I better do it.

[Rork]

A good point of reference is jewelery-, and of course watch photography for advertising brochures. You can extract the setup from the way it looks on the image.
These kind of renders basically 'need' the same studio setup as you would set it up with a physical camera.
Sometimes it's good to think about how you would do this in real life, not in SI.

But it's definitely starting to look good, it's just too clean for my taste atm. I know it's polished metal etc., but try to get some subtle variations in there too for more realism.

rob

[ActionArt]

it's just too clean for my taste

You're right, it gives it away as CG right now. The purpose is to replace some of their studio shots so it has to look real.

Now, how to mess it up a bit without making it look bad...

Anyway, got to do some other work now but back to it in a day or two.

Thanks for all the help!