Beginner Blender 4.0 Tutorial - Part 13: Rendering

Introduction

In this tutorial, we'll walk through the rendering process in Blender using the Cycles rendering engine. We'll cover everything from selecting sample counts to finalizing your render settings and preparing your animations for export. By the end, you'll be equipped with the knowledge to achieve high-quality renders for your projects.

Chapter 1: Choosing the Sample Count

• Understanding Sample Count: The sample count affects the quality of your render. Low sample counts lead to noisy images, whereas higher counts result in clearer images.

• Recommended Sample Counts:

  • 10 samples: Very noisy, not usable.
  • 50 samples: Noticeable splotchiness.
  • 100 samples: Usable but not optimal.
  • 300 samples: Minimum for decent quality.
  • 500 samples: Ideal for quality renders.
  • 1000 samples: Best for the cleanest results; suitable for overnight renders.

• Denoising: The Denoise function helps reduce noise but may not eliminate all splotchiness, especially in animations where frame variations occur.

Chapter 2: Noise Threshold

• Adaptive Sampling: This feature adjusts sample counts based on image areas. It improves efficiency but can conflict with the denoiser, leading to splotchy results.
• Recommendation: If using the denoiser, uncheck the noise threshold option to maintain quality.

Chapter 3: Time Limit

• Using Time Limits: Setting a time limit can help manage render times, but it’s not commonly used. Most prefer to use a fixed sample count for consistency.

Chapter 4: Rendering to a Still Image Sequence

• Avoid Movie Formats: Always render as still images (e.g., PNG) instead of direct video formats (like AVI or MP4) to prevent loss due to crashes.
• File Format:
  • PNG or TIFF is recommended.
  • Set color depth to 8 bits unless planning for extensive post-processing.
• Output Setup:
  • Create a dedicated output folder (e.g., "frames").
  • Organize subfolders for different render attempts.

Chapter 5: Pre-Rendering Checklist

• Face Orientation Check: Ensure all mesh faces are correctly oriented (blue indicates correct orientation; red indicates incorrect).

  • Use Shift + N to recalculate normals.

• Unwanted Object Check: Remove rogue objects from the scene that should not appear in the render.

  • Use the camera icon toggle to hide objects from rendering.

• Intersection Check: Adjust any overlapping objects that may appear awkwardly during rendering.

Chapter 6: Improving the Composition

• Enhancing Composition: Adjust the placement and orientation of objects to create a more appealing visual.
• Camera Considerations: Ensure the scene looks good from all angles, especially if the camera is moving.

Chapter 7: Improving the Lighting

• Adding Fill Lights: Use area lamps to brighten dark areas in the scene.
• Evaluate Light Intensity: Adjust the power of lights based on their distance to objects.

Chapter 8: Exposure Check

• Check Exposure Ranges: Use false color mode to identify areas of overexposure.
• Adjust Settings: Tweak exposure until most areas are within a favorable range.

Chapter 9: Color Check

• Adjusting Colors: Fine-tune the saturation and hue of your materials for a more appealing look.
• Subsurface Scattering: Add subsurface scattering to materials like doughnuts for a realistic effect.

Chapter 10: Adding Depth of Field

• Depth of Field Settings: Under camera settings, enable depth of field and select a focus object.
• F-stop Adjustment: Set F-stop between 6 to 8 for a balanced depth of field.

Chapter 11: Adding Motion Blur

• Enable Motion Blur: In render settings, check the motion blur option to enhance realism in animations.

Chapter 12: Fixing Final Problems

• Test Renders: Conduct test renders to catch any final errors in the scene.
• Adjust Mistakes: Correct any issues such as missing objects or lighting problems before the final render.

Conclusion

You've now learned the essential steps for rendering in Blender using the Cycles engine, from selecting sample counts to setting up your final render. Remember to always conduct test renders to ensure everything is correct before committing to a lengthy render process. Happy rendering!