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8 Tips to Increase the Photo-Realism in Your Renders Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Software & Apps &gt; Design 81 81 people found this article helpful <h1> 8 Tips to Increase the Photo-Realism in Your Renders</h1> <h2> Easy techniques that will make your 3D renders more realistic</h2> By Justin Slick Justin Slick Writer Dartmouth College Former Lifewire writer Justin Slick has been creating 3D computer graphics for more than 10 years, specializing in character and environment creation.
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8 Tips to Increase the Photo-Realism in Your Renders Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Software & Apps > Design 81 81 people found this article helpful

8 Tips to Increase the Photo-Realism in Your Renders

Easy techniques that will make your 3D renders more realistic

By Justin Slick Justin Slick Writer Dartmouth College Former Lifewire writer Justin Slick has been creating 3D computer graphics for more than 10 years, specializing in character and environment creation.
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Aria Nguyen 1 minutes ago
lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on November 30, 2019 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Des...
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lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on November 30, 2019 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Design 3D Design Animation & Video Graphic Design Photo-realism is one of the ultimate goals of many CG artists, and it's also one of the most difficult to achieve. Even if you're relatively new to 3D computer graphics,&nbsp;however, today's tools and workflow techniques make photo-realism very obtainable.
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lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on November 30, 2019 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Design 3D Design Animation & Video Graphic Design Photo-realism is one of the ultimate goals of many CG artists, and it's also one of the most difficult to achieve. Even if you're relatively new to 3D computer graphics, however, today's tools and workflow techniques make photo-realism very obtainable.
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Alexander Wang 9 minutes ago
Westend61 / Getty Images Here are eight techniques to help you get there: 01 of 08

Bevel Bev...

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Hannah Kim 9 minutes ago
Beveling helps bring out detail, and really sells the realism of your model by allowing edges to pro...
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Westend61 / Getty Images Here are eight techniques to help you get there: 01 of 08 <h2> Bevel Bevel Bevel </h2> Forgetting to bevel or chamfer edges is one of the most common errors committed by beginning 3D artists. There are almost no razor-sharp edges in nature, and even most man-made objects have a slight roundness where two opposing surfaces meet.
Hannah Kim Member
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Westend61 / Getty Images Here are eight techniques to help you get there: 01 of 08

Bevel Bevel Bevel

Forgetting to bevel or chamfer edges is one of the most common errors committed by beginning 3D artists. There are almost no razor-sharp edges in nature, and even most man-made objects have a slight roundness where two opposing surfaces meet.
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Mason Rodriguez 1 minutes ago
Beveling helps bring out detail, and really sells the realism of your model by allowing edges to pro...
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Audrey Mueller 2 minutes ago
02 of 08

Learn to Use Linear Workflow

Even though linear workflow has been around for y...
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Beveling helps bring out detail, and really sells the realism of your model by allowing edges to properly catch highlights from your lighting solution. Using the bevel (or chamfer tool in 3ds Max) is one of the first things you should learn as a modeler. If you're new enough to 3D that you're unsure how to create a beveled edge, chances are you could truly benefit from a good introductory tutorial&nbsp;or even a training subscription.
Emma Wilson Admin
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Beveling helps bring out detail, and really sells the realism of your model by allowing edges to properly catch highlights from your lighting solution. Using the bevel (or chamfer tool in 3ds Max) is one of the first things you should learn as a modeler. If you're new enough to 3D that you're unsure how to create a beveled edge, chances are you could truly benefit from a good introductory tutorial or even a training subscription.
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William Brown 12 minutes ago
02 of 08

Learn to Use Linear Workflow

Even though linear workflow has been around for y...
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Scarlett Brown 5 minutes ago
But linear workflow actually goes pretty far beyond simple gamma corrections — it's all about ...
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02 of 08 <h2> Learn to Use Linear Workflow </h2> Even though linear workflow has been around for years, it&#39;s still a confusing and complicated idea for beginners. The need for linear workflow essentially comes down to the fact that your monitor displays images in a different color space (sRGB) than what is output by your render engine (linear). In order to combat this, artists must take the necessary steps to apply gamma correction to a render.
Thomas Anderson Member
access_time 25 minutes ago
02 of 08

Learn to Use Linear Workflow

Even though linear workflow has been around for years, it's still a confusing and complicated idea for beginners. The need for linear workflow essentially comes down to the fact that your monitor displays images in a different color space (sRGB) than what is output by your render engine (linear). In order to combat this, artists must take the necessary steps to apply gamma correction to a render.
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Charlotte Lee 23 minutes ago
But linear workflow actually goes pretty far beyond simple gamma corrections — it's all about ...
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But linear workflow actually goes pretty far beyond simple gamma corrections — it&#39;s all about eschewing old techniques and workarounds (most of which are based on outdated math), and moving toward true physically based lighting solutions. There&#39;s a lot more to say about linear workflow, and thankfully it&#39;s been discussed exhaustively over the past few years. Linear Workflow and Gamma is a useful site for learning the theory behind the process and links out to quite a few sources, so there&#39;s plenty of reading to be done.
Sophia Chen Member
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But linear workflow actually goes pretty far beyond simple gamma corrections — it's all about eschewing old techniques and workarounds (most of which are based on outdated math), and moving toward true physically based lighting solutions. There's a lot more to say about linear workflow, and thankfully it's been discussed exhaustively over the past few years. Linear Workflow and Gamma is a useful site for learning the theory behind the process and links out to quite a few sources, so there's plenty of reading to be done.
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Oliver Taylor 1 minutes ago
Linear Workflow in Maya 2012 is a Digital Tutors course that deals specifically with linear workflow...
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Henry Schmidt 1 minutes ago
Because IES light profiles contain accurate photometric information regarding light shape, luminance...
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Linear Workflow in Maya 2012 is a Digital Tutors course that deals specifically with linear workflow in Maya 2012. 03 of 08 <h2> Use IES Light Profiles for Photometric Lighting </h2> Alongside the rise of linear workflow, 3D artists (especially those working in architectural visualization) have begun using files called IES light profiles to more realistically mimic real-world lighting. IES profiles were originally created by manufacturers like General Electric as a way to digitally quantify photometric lighting data.
Lily Watson Moderator
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Linear Workflow in Maya 2012 is a Digital Tutors course that deals specifically with linear workflow in Maya 2012. 03 of 08

Use IES Light Profiles for Photometric Lighting

Alongside the rise of linear workflow, 3D artists (especially those working in architectural visualization) have begun using files called IES light profiles to more realistically mimic real-world lighting. IES profiles were originally created by manufacturers like General Electric as a way to digitally quantify photometric lighting data.
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Audrey Mueller 15 minutes ago
Because IES light profiles contain accurate photometric information regarding light shape, luminance...
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Daniel Kumar 17 minutes ago
CG Arena offers some great pictures to give you an idea what an IES light profile looks like. 04 of ...
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Because IES light profiles contain accurate photometric information regarding light shape, luminance, and fall off. 3D developers have seized the opportunity to add IES support in most major 3D packages. Why spend hours trying to mimic real-world lighting when you can use an IES profile and have the real thing?
Lucas Martinez Moderator
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Because IES light profiles contain accurate photometric information regarding light shape, luminance, and fall off. 3D developers have seized the opportunity to add IES support in most major 3D packages. Why spend hours trying to mimic real-world lighting when you can use an IES profile and have the real thing?
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CG Arena offers some great pictures to give you an idea what an IES light profile looks like. 04 of 08 <h2> Use Depth of Field </h2> Depth of field (blurred background) effects are one of the easiest ways to increase the realism of your renders&nbsp;because it's something we associate closely with real-life photography.
Mason Rodriguez Member
access_time 27 minutes ago
CG Arena offers some great pictures to give you an idea what an IES light profile looks like. 04 of 08

Use Depth of Field

Depth of field (blurred background) effects are one of the easiest ways to increase the realism of your renders because it's something we associate closely with real-life photography.
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Madison Singh 3 minutes ago
Using a shallow depth of field helps isolate your subject, and can improve your composition by leaps...
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Sebastian Silva 25 minutes ago
05 of 08

Add Chromatic Abberation

The name sounds complicated, but adding chromatic abe...
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Using a shallow depth of field helps isolate your subject, and can improve your composition by leaps and bounds when it&#39;s used in appropriate situations. Depth effects can be calculated at render time from within your 3D package or applied in post-production using a z-depth pass and lens blur in Photoshop. Applying the effect in post is by far the quicker route, however, setting up the depth of field within your primary app gives you more control over the effect.
Kevin Wang Member
access_time 30 minutes ago
Using a shallow depth of field helps isolate your subject, and can improve your composition by leaps and bounds when it's used in appropriate situations. Depth effects can be calculated at render time from within your 3D package or applied in post-production using a z-depth pass and lens blur in Photoshop. Applying the effect in post is by far the quicker route, however, setting up the depth of field within your primary app gives you more control over the effect.
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Evelyn Zhang 7 minutes ago
05 of 08

Add Chromatic Abberation

The name sounds complicated, but adding chromatic abe...
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William Brown 1 minutes ago
The phenomenon is manifest as "color fringing," where high contrast edges show a subtle red ...
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05 of 08 <h2> Add Chromatic Abberation </h2> The name sounds complicated, but adding chromatic aberration to your renders is probably the easiest technique on this list. Chromatic aberration occurs in real-world photography when a lens fails to render all color channels at the same convergence point.
Alexander Wang Member
access_time 11 minutes ago
05 of 08

Add Chromatic Abberation

The name sounds complicated, but adding chromatic aberration to your renders is probably the easiest technique on this list. Chromatic aberration occurs in real-world photography when a lens fails to render all color channels at the same convergence point.
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The phenomenon is manifest as &#34;color fringing,&#34; where high contrast edges show a subtle red or blue outline. Because chromatic aberration does not naturally occur in CG lighting, 3D artists have developed ways to fake the phenomenon by offsetting the red and blue channel of a render by a pixel or two in Photoshop Chromatic aberration can add realism to a render, but it can also detract from one when the effect is overdone.
Charlotte Lee Member
access_time 12 minutes ago
The phenomenon is manifest as "color fringing," where high contrast edges show a subtle red or blue outline. Because chromatic aberration does not naturally occur in CG lighting, 3D artists have developed ways to fake the phenomenon by offsetting the red and blue channel of a render by a pixel or two in Photoshop Chromatic aberration can add realism to a render, but it can also detract from one when the effect is overdone.
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Dylan Patel 2 minutes ago
Don't be afraid to try it out, but remember that subtlety is your best friend. 06 of 08

U...

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William Brown 5 minutes ago
Specular maps tell your render engine which parts of your model should have high specularity (glossi...
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Don&#39;t be afraid to try it out, but remember that subtlety is your best friend. 06 of 08 <h2> Use Specular Maps </h2> Most artists learn to use specular maps pretty early on, but it definitely warrants a mention for anyone who's not already on board.
Emma Wilson Admin
access_time 13 minutes ago
Don't be afraid to try it out, but remember that subtlety is your best friend. 06 of 08

Use Specular Maps

Most artists learn to use specular maps pretty early on, but it definitely warrants a mention for anyone who's not already on board.
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Victoria Lopez 7 minutes ago
Specular maps tell your render engine which parts of your model should have high specularity (glossi...
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Sophia Chen 8 minutes ago
Even for objects that do have relatively uniform glossiness (glazed ceramics, polished metal), you s...
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Specular maps tell your render engine which parts of your model should have high specularity (glossiness) and which should be more diffuse. Using specular maps increases realism because let&#39;s face it — most objects in nature don&#39;t display uniform glossiness, but when you leave the specular map off, that&#39;s exactly how your model will render.
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Specular maps tell your render engine which parts of your model should have high specularity (glossiness) and which should be more diffuse. Using specular maps increases realism because let's face it — most objects in nature don't display uniform glossiness, but when you leave the specular map off, that's exactly how your model will render.
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Even for objects that do have relatively uniform glossiness (glazed ceramics, polished metal), you should still use a spec map to help bring out surface irregularities from scratches, dings, and dents. 07 of 08 <h2> Grunge It Up </h2> You don&#39;t see the &#34;error of perfection&#34; as much as you did in the early days of CG, but for those of you who need a reminder: don&#39;t be afraid to add some dirt and grit to your models and textures. Most real-world objects aren&#39;t clean and pristine, so leaving your models that way can come off as lazy and will almost certainly undermine your quest for photo-realism.
Thomas Anderson Member
access_time 75 minutes ago
Even for objects that do have relatively uniform glossiness (glazed ceramics, polished metal), you should still use a spec map to help bring out surface irregularities from scratches, dings, and dents. 07 of 08

Grunge It Up

You don't see the "error of perfection" as much as you did in the early days of CG, but for those of you who need a reminder: don't be afraid to add some dirt and grit to your models and textures. Most real-world objects aren't clean and pristine, so leaving your models that way can come off as lazy and will almost certainly undermine your quest for photo-realism.
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It doesn&#39;t just have to be textural details either — try adding large-scale cracks and destruction to some of your models, especially if you&#39;re working on FPS style game environments. Keep the idea of non-perfection in mind when you&#39;re populating your scenes too. Unless you&#39;re going for a very polished architectural showroom type render, scatter some props naturally throughout your scene to make the space look lived in.
Madison Singh Member
access_time 80 minutes ago
It doesn't just have to be textural details either — try adding large-scale cracks and destruction to some of your models, especially if you're working on FPS style game environments. Keep the idea of non-perfection in mind when you're populating your scenes too. Unless you're going for a very polished architectural showroom type render, scatter some props naturally throughout your scene to make the space look lived in.
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Zoe Mueller 64 minutes ago
08 of 08

Add Asymetry

The ability to turn on symmetry when modeling or sculpting a char...
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08 of 08 <h2> Add Asymetry </h2> The ability to turn on symmetry when modeling or sculpting a character is a great luxury — it means that as modelers we only have to do half the work and never have to worry ourselves over one eye being bigger than the other, or making sure the left cheekbone lines up with the right one (you know, those pesky problems that trouble traditional painters and sculptors). But when it comes time to do a final detail pass and pose your model, it&#39;s a great idea to turn off symmetry and add some sort of asymmetric variance to your character. Whether it&#39;s in the pose, costume, or textural detail, asymmetry will make your models more lifelike, and chances are you&#39;ll end up with a more dynamic and successful final image.
Emma Wilson Admin
access_time 85 minutes ago
08 of 08

Add Asymetry

The ability to turn on symmetry when modeling or sculpting a character is a great luxury — it means that as modelers we only have to do half the work and never have to worry ourselves over one eye being bigger than the other, or making sure the left cheekbone lines up with the right one (you know, those pesky problems that trouble traditional painters and sculptors). But when it comes time to do a final detail pass and pose your model, it's a great idea to turn off symmetry and add some sort of asymmetric variance to your character. Whether it's in the pose, costume, or textural detail, asymmetry will make your models more lifelike, and chances are you'll end up with a more dynamic and successful final image.
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