Topic awaiting preservation: frustration

Hi.. I have been reading this board for a while, and this time I will post. Most of you can prolly figure out my problem, but I am stuck.

I am having trouble trying to achieve an "ice" effect using 3ds max.
here is an example I am trying to mimic:
http://web.idirect.com/~gig/tutor2.htm
(pic at the top)


That is the effect I am trying to get. I just cannot even come close using 3ds max. Does anyone have a few pointers on how to set up a material for this?

I have several books and manuals that discuss materials in length, but this material eludes me. I also know lighting playes an important part, but, I need a close material to get the lighting right! (if you can understand that)

Thanks in advance for any input

The important part is refraction. Give it a specular reflection and an index of refraction of 1.33... that should be all it really needs.

The poster has demanded we remove all his contributions, less he takes legal action.
We have done so.
Now Tyberius Prime expects him to start complaining that we removed his 'free speech' since this message will replace all of his posts, past and future.
Don't follow his example - seek real life help first.

Step aside guys, I HAVE THE ANSWER!!!! (god like voice)

If you have a 'real' copy of 3D Max or Viz then it came with extra materials. Yep, just go into your material editor, and click the 'browse from mtl library' (top left). Then click the 'file' button (lower right) and open 'RayTraced_02.mat'. Now just pick Ice as your material.

As for modeling an icecube... well use some noise and distortion modifiers.

Well I don't have 3DS, but I DO have Povray. Here's a quick stab at duplicating that scene:

icecubes.jpg

Witherin

Witherin: Not bad at all. But I see some black spots in there, so I suspect you need to set max_trace_level higher (this is the POV-Ray equivalent of the problem InI mentioned in his second paragraph). Just add

global_settings {
max_trace_level 100 // (100 is usually enough)
}

to your scene somewhere. And perhaps lower the "roughness" on your "specular" highlight? (check the docs if that makes no sense to you)

Nice job though =)

(Oh, one more thing: If you're using the 3.5 beta, you might want to experiment with "photons" to make cool shadow effects; check the docs for that too)

[edit: maybe you did set max_trace_level high, but that blackness is just from the black background. Apologies if that's the case]

[This message has been edited by Slime (edited 05-04-2002).]

How did you model those? Are they isosurfaces or superellipsoids with a warp applied?

Thanks for the suggestions Slime.. Yea.. Max_trace is at 60.. I'll try bumping it to 100 on the next shot. I've set it up with photons (about 200k) and will do a render later today when I don't mind using up the system resources for a couple of hours. The specular I fiddled with a lot. With the larger render I do see how it's a tad too soft.

Hey Schitz, the cubes are superellipsoids with a 0.175,0.175 and have a simple granite normal (granite 1 scale 10). The normal, tied with the rounded edges and the dark lighting meant for a simple render. I doubt the objects would hold up under bright light conditions. Then I'd likely opt for an isosurface or wonk something up in Rhino.

Witherin

P.S. - and yea, I've been using the 3.5 beta.. I started with old Pov 1.0 a long long time ago and have been using every new version as it came along (along with the Megapov patch for a while there as well).

Cool, you used 1.0? I didn't start until 3.1g...

BTW, if you had max_trace_level at 60, then I'm sure it was high enough. Maybe you should reduce the effect of the normal map or something? It just looks so bumpy with all those quick gradations in color. =)

Heh, I might. Then again, I did this mainly to show it could be done fairly quickly in POV, mainly to give Human22 another option beyond 3DS. I may end up tweeking the image some more, or I may not. I'm not one for generally working my ass off to duplicate reality. I prefer a more surreal approach to things.

Witherin