ZBrushCentral

displacement problem in mental ray, maya

ZBrush Usage Questions
#7

First off the file he would post is a collect of his Maya Project.

Second, I didn’t tell him to try the approximation editor. I asked if he was using it and than suggested that he makes sure it is working in a Maya software render.

Third, The way Maya uses memory between the render view window and a batch render is different. If he is using a 4K+ displacement map or his computer doesn’t have much memory it could stop the render because of low memory before it is finished.

Furthermore, the fact that I have been rendering out displacement maps with Maya for mental Ray on multiple platforms indicates no problem with the software.

#8

Am workin on a pantium D 805 with 2 gigz of RAM and my displacements are 2k+ so i dont think the problem should be with my machine. the software renders are lookin OK but MR iznt. i have stared with a brand new scene file. but the same thing happens again n again.

Weyvin, i havent tried reinstalling MAYA but i think i’ll have to give it a shot.
apart from this any ideas guys!!!

#9

Increasing the memory limit for the software renderer:

type:
defaultRenderGlobals
into the “SEL” field (top right, just below main menu bar) hit return and
open the node for the Attribute Editor;
then under the “Memory Performance” tab you increase the “maximum memory” value to (your choice!)…

Dual Processor rendering for single frames:

By default MR won’t use both processors…
with Mental Ray chosen as the renderer go to the Rendering menu set:

select Render > Render Current Frame > Option Box and set it from 2 to 4.

Batch Render here is irrelevant unless your rendering a sequence.

Edit: Are you adjusting the Color Gain and Color Offset in your displacement
file texture node?
Offset = minus HALF of the Gain (Example: Gain 2.5 - Offset = -1.25)

C.

#10

check this thread:
http://www.zbrushcentral.com/zbc/showthread.php?t=37215

#11

i have tried a new scene with just a simple box with some displacements and this isnt working either!!. i think i have enough memory to handle the displacements.am using MAYA 7 by the way. both the processors are also working but still no result. there must be something wrong with my displacement setup wot do u guys say!!! but it shouldent happen, cuz am going step by step with the scott spencer video tutorial for maya displacements. can u figure something out!!!?? cuz i cant.

#12

This is what I use:

In Multi-Displacement 2, I use this setting:
UDIM: 0
InitialFileIndex:1001
MaxMapSize: 4096
MapSizeAdjust:0
DpSubPix: 0-4, (I really don’t see the difference, I just put it to 0)
Border: 8
Export Options: DEHBHKEAEAEAr32

Then in maya, I use the zayaTools mel script, settings are:
check displacement map
check ImpObj and import your object.
check assign new shader and pick one.
Mental Ray
16 bit
Create Subdivision Approximation: subdiv min: 2, subdivmax:7 (adust the subdivmin only if you’re not getting your results)
Uncheck Flip Vertical
Then create maps.

In the render global window, change render using from maya software to mental ray.

#13

OK,

At work today on a new Boxx computer that is filled it RAM and had to render out and displacement map for Zbrush with MR.

Guess what? It wouldn’t !!!

I am telling you. Do a single frame Batch render and it might be fine.

Your other option is to send me the Maya project and I will figure out what is going on with it.

This is the same problem with some large Vue Extreme scenes.

#14

i tried the batch render. adn it took a rediculous amount of time rendering and in the end the same empty render!!! wot am i gonna do!!

#15

How big is your Maya project and image files, and Zbrush tool?

The other thing that I could do is post a more detailed step by set process with images to show how I do it.

It is basically the same as the Zbrush to Maya Doc, but I know when I ran into trouble.

One last thing. Did you convert the Zbrush .tif file into the MR .map format. I know the PDF file says that MR will just have a little trouble with the .tif file, but I have had times when I couldn’t make it render. You really do need to use the command line to convert this file.

Little D.

#16

i think uploading the project files wouldnt be such a good idea. since they are quite large. i havent tried converting them to .map files. and am not sure exactly how to do them. can u guide me a bit!!!

#17

Hi abbasi - try this way(Maya 7.0.1):
It gave me this result:
http://www.custom3d.co.uk/thierry_henry/thierry_SSS.jpg

In Multi-Displacement 2, use these settings:
UDIM: 0
InitialFileIndex:1001
MaxMapSize: 4096
MapSizeAdjust:0
DpSubPix: 4
Border: 8
Export Options: DE-LBEK-EAEAEA-R32 (32 bit Maya)

Then in Maya Mental Ray settings are:

ImpObj object set option box to False
Assign new shader, create disp. node, import disp. map and place
in SG node (see attached convertfile to .map bat file - this optimizes
texture map rendering)
Uncheck displacement map in objects shape node…
Create Subdivision Approximation:
Spatial; subdiv min: 2/4, subdivmax:6; View Dependant

Type defaultRenderGlobals into the “SEL” field (top right, just below
main menu bar) to open the node for the attribute editor;
then under the Memory Performance tab you increase the Maximum Memory value to …
relative to your free RAM

Turn on Mental Ray for renderer…render

good luck!

Chris

#18

Thanks Atwooki for that converter it works great.

This is the long way to do it and the way that it is the Zbrush to Maya PDF.

I will do this step by step for people that haven’t used the command line before.

I have a directory with a displacement map generated from Zbrush and want to convert it to a .map file for use in MR.

Image1.jpg


Little D.



Attachments

Image2.jpg

Image3.jpg

Image4.jpg

Image5.jpg

Image6.jpg

Image7.jpg

Image8.jpg

#19

Nice one, LittleDedder - because I’m a lazy ol’ git, I prefer any short cut I can
possibl ustilise; but yours is a useful tut nonetheless :wink:

C.

#20

I will probably never do this again.

Unless I am on a job, Don’t have the batch and need something done right away.

#21

sorry guys i dint get the time to continue my work. ne wayz now am back. and still the problem is there
i have converted my files to .map. increased the memory in the render globals and exported the displacements with same options as u mentioned. but still no render!! nd have no freakin clue wot to do!!

#22

hey guyss!!.. i need u …PLZ…!

#23

Try this technique:

http://www.edwin3design.com/root/news.htm

or this one:

http://www.zbrushcentral.com/zbc/showthread.php?t=25542&highlight=displacement+map+ryan

or this:
http://www.zbrushcentral.com/zbc/showthread.php?t=20802&highlight=zatt6

and lastly, use the models provided by Pixolator to practice, then apply them to your own models. You should get the same results as everyone who participated:

http://www.zbrushcentral.com/zbc/showthread.php?t=20310&highlight=scott+spencer

#24

Hey abassi,
i just read your post and tried somthing. I took my character that has a good displacment map setting that works and went to the attributes under the geometry and took ofrf primary visability under the render stats, it rendered in two minutes, and nothing came out, it was black. so it was calculating nothing, anyway try going to the attributes and see if the primary visabilty under the render stats is on.
I hope that helps good luck man.

#25

the test head from Pixolator renders out just fine. no memory issues no nothing but when i apply the same method and settings to my model i again get nothing. so the problem must be sumwhere within my displacement maps!!! what do u guys think!!!

#26

still no solution. any other ideas guys!!