Photorealistic Rendering with Vray or Mental Ray

Lighting a scene realistically is one the most challenging aspects of producing photorealistic renders.

Photorealistic Rendering with Vray or Mental Ray

CG Magazine May - Jun 13 Issue

CGArena free bi-monthly PDF magazine issue is out for free download for all the registered users. You can download the issue now.

CG Magazine May - Jun 13 Issue

Interior Scenes Rendering in Mental Ray

Learn how you can create different materials like Chandelier, dishes, Furniture, Carpet, Metal, Floor, Lcd, Curtain…

Interior Scenes Rendering in Mental Ray

Model the Peugeot Onyx: Vray and Mray

Artist followed some of the best trainings on automotive modeling available on the web, that have common points and tips that he will comment here on the development of this project

Model the Peugeot Onyx: Vray and Mray

Setup a Studio Lighting in Maya

Artist will be showing you how to setup a studio lighting environment for you to light and showcase your models

Setup a Studio Lighting in Maya

Convert Dirty Objects to Clean Objects - Sink FX

VFX Training by professional 3d artist Amin Sadeghvand And Lighting and shading by Mohammad Sadri.
In this training you will learn how to convert dirty objects to clean objects in Maya without using any plugin.

Convert Dirty Objects to Clean Objects - Sink FX

Making of Happy Cow

Artist always liked to write a short summary of image/artwork I make. I\'m happy that I get the chance to share my information

Making of Happy Cow

Interview with Rishi Raj

Indian artist which got the animation training in Vancouver and graduated from the Think Tank Centre

Interview with Rishi Raj

Render High Resolution Images using VRay or Mental Ray

While today’s fast computers may ensure rendering crashes are less and less frequent, there are still instances when processing high resolution photorealistic renders will cause computers to freeze and ultimately crash!

Render High Resolution Images using VRay or Mental Ray

Vray HDRI Sky Lighting

This 8 min video tutorial will show you how you can light up a scene using Vray HDRI Sky lighting using 3ds Max. There is no voice guidance in this tutorial

Vray HDRI Sky Lighting

Creating and Texturing a Fantasy Shield with DDO

In this course focused on sculpting and using dDo, instructor Galen Davis takes us through the complete pipeline of creating a Fantasy Shield. Davis demonstrates the ZBrush sculpting process,

Creating and Texturing a Fantasy Shield with DDO

Making of Jealousy

Artist think one of the most challenging parts of creating an art is the idea. "Jealousy" was supposed to be a completely different thing but I changed my mind a couple of times

Making of Jealousy

Correcting the Viewport color Display of imported AutoCAD drawings, when added into a Layer in 3ds Max

Often, imported AutoCad drawings lose their original colour once added into a new layer (using Manage Layers toolbar) in 3ds Max.

Correcting the Viewport color Display of imported AutoCAD drawings, when added into a Layer in 3ds Max

Making of the Greenman

Loving History and Folklore, I've always wanted to paint a "green man". The Green Man is a mystical figure found as ornament on many buildings

Making of the Greenman

Making of Spider Attack

This 15 min video tutorial will show you how artist made the image of Spider Attack using 3ds Max, After Effects and Photoshop.

Making of Spider Attack

Modeling Simple Room with Vray Light

This 25 min video tutorial will show you how to model a simple room in 3ds max with Vray Light. There is no voice guidance in this...

Modeling Simple Room with Vray Light

ZScripting with ZBrush - An Introduction and Application

Instructor Nick Miller gives a comprehensive introduction of ZScripting with ZBrush. Nick starts off with the basics and goes through the creation of a simple script allowing the user to get a firm grasp on the fundamentals by showing how ZScripts are structured and going through the most common commands.

ZScripting with ZBrush - An Introduction and Application

High Quality Construction Materials Textures

Dosch Textures: Construction Materials - Asia provides 170 very detailed depictions construction material surfaces. Most of the textures are of seamlessly tileable

High Quality Construction Materials Textures

Learn Tips and Tricks in Unity

We'll look at all sorts of handy features inside this powerful Engine to help accelerate your workflow, and really power your work inside of Unity!


Learn Tips and Tricks in Unity

Making of The Window

This was a simple practice of a interior scene but with feeling on it. My only inspiration was the The Crow movie that I really love.

Making of The Window

Making of The Green Redemption

In this making I am going to discuss how my work "The Green Redemption" was completed. It took me twenty days of direct and indirect work to finish.

Making of The Green Redemption

Poetica Takes a CG Journey with Trek

As if borne of a dream, Poetica's beautifully monochromatic spec film for Trek Bicycles bares the distinct look and feel of a surreal mindscape.

Poetica Takes a CG Journey with Trek

How to make the Complex Lamp

Learn how to make the complex Lamp in 3ds max. This 25 min video tutorial covers Modeling of the complex lamp.

How to make the Complex Lamp

Interview with Jeremie Passerin - Rigging Supervisor at Blur Studio

Jeremie Passerin currently working at Blur Studio in Venice, California. he is supervising the Rigging Department on all the project...

Interview with Jeremie Passerin - Rigging Supervisor at Blur Studio

Video Tutorial: Modeling Pillow and Blanket in Marvelous Designer 2

In these two tutorials you will learn how to mode the pillow and blanket realistically in Marvelous Designer 2.

Video Tutorial: Modeling Pillow and Blanket in Marvelous Designer 2

Making of Tom Waits

When I decided to do a celebrity likeness I already knew it was going to be a challenge to do. After this is done I feel it was THE most challenging thing I have done so far in CG

Making of Tom Waits

Model the iDea Lamp in 3ds Max

Learn how to make Idea Lamp in 3ds max. This 40 min video tutorial covers Modeling, adding materials, lighting, rendering, And Photoshop for Post production.

Model the iDea Lamp in 3ds Max

Painting the Girl Arale by Felipe Moreira

Artist draw the Arale, a character from the japanese manga Dr. Slump using Photoshop and very excited to share the process.

Painting the Girl Arale by Felipe Moreira

VRay To Nuke - Compositing Passes

This video tutorial is about setting up your render settings in VRay to get the most of its render passes system. It will show you how to uses the Extra Tex passes Node to create custom render layers, for instance an ambient occlusion pass built in the multichannel exr file

VRay To Nuke - Compositing Passes

Learn UVW Unwrapping with tool Roadkill

In this tutorial on Unwrapping with Roadkill, instructor Stephen Wells gives us a full overview of this powerful UVW unwrapping tool!

Learn UVW Unwrapping with tool Roadkill

Learn to create Realistic Renders in Mental Ray

If you find yourself rendering over and over again for hours at a time, this is the tutorial for you. In this tutorial we'll attempt to demystify mental rays render pass system paying special attention to the mia_material_x and it's outputs.

Learn to create Realistic Renders in Mental Ray

Modeling Quadrupeds for Production: Vol 1

This tutorial covers creature creation from concept sketches through to modeling a low poly base mesh in Maya.

We'll follow Jay as he takes us through the challenges of creating clean topology that can be passed down the pipeline for rigging and animation.

Modeling Quadrupeds for Production: Vol 1

Surface Anatomy Detailing in ZBrush: Vol 2

Drawing from his experience on recent feature films Lockout and John Carter, Senior Modeler Jay Edwards from Reliance Mediaworks VFX shares his production techniques for creating detailed surface anatomy in ZBrush.

Surface Anatomy Detailing in ZBrush: Vol 2

Physically Accurate Lighting in Mental Ray

This project takes you through the workflow of physically accurate lighting in mental ray. It shows you how to light up the scene with the ultimate goal being to give you control over the illumination of your own scenes.

Physically Accurate Lighting in Mental Ray

Lighting Passes in Post-Production Maya and Nuke

In this course we create a light setup optimized for post-production with physical lights and light surfaces in mental ray, the lights are then split into layers with appropriate passes and reassembled in Nuke. With control of the individual lights we can relight the scene in real time without the need to re-render, thus creating a more efficient workflow.

Lighting Passes in Post-Production Maya and Nuke

Texture Projection Techniques in MARI

Learn how to quickly create texture projections in MARI, we'll be demonstrating the entire procedure starting from the raw camera images and taking you through the process used to create diffuse, bump, roughness and spec / reflection maps.

Texture Projection Techniques in MARI

Hair Solution for 3ds Max - Hair Farm

Hair Farm is a complete hair solution for 3ds Max. It is specially designed for CG professionals who wish to create gorgeous hair quickly and precisely. Hair Farm comes with 40 different tools for hair modeling, animation and rendering.

Hair Solution for 3ds Max - Hair Farm

Learning 3D Modeling in Photoshop

In this training course for 3D Modeling in Photoshop, expert trainer Jeff Sengstack will show you how to use the 3D tools in Adobe Photoshop to create and render high-quality 3D models and animations. Photoshop is not just for editing photos any longer, the 3D tools that you have at your fingertips will allow you to quickly and easily create 3D models, and this video tutorial will show you how! Jeff starts your Photoshop 3D training by showing you how to setup your workspace, and walking you through the camera and view controls, which are essential for building models.

Learning 3D Modeling in Photoshop

Interview with Isis Sousa

27 years old brazilian artist, all learning has been through trial and error and doing digital illustration from last 3 years

Interview with Isis Sousa

Making of Maro Chui Wei

When I start making a character concept art I usually do some quick silhouette thumbnails and pick the one I like for further elaborate...

Making of Maro Chui Wei

Video Tutorial: Model and Render an iPhone

In this 2 hours video tutorial you will learn how to model and render a realistic iPhone model in 3ds Max.

Video Tutorial: Model and Render an iPhone

Cloth Fold Sculpting in ZBrush

In this 2 Hours walkthrough David Richardson will explain how he do the folds.. in ZBrush.

Cloth Fold Sculpting in ZBrush

Night Interior Scene in 3ds Max &Vray

Many of you always want to see the interior, light settings. So, you can also create a professional scene.
Now after purchasing this scene you can take a deep look into the lighting and materials, also get the Realistic Models, Shaders and Textures and study the Camera and Render settings.

Night Interior Scene in 3ds Max &Vray

Making of Monster

In this making I am going to tell my process of sculpting a monster bust in ZBrush. I started this as a speed sculpt and finish it in 9 hrs.

Making of Monster

MPC and 4Creative team up on 4seven’s latest mind bending ident

MPC’s VFX team was involved right from the outset of this project, conceptualizing the best approach to bring the idea to life. VFX Supervisor Chrys Aldred said, “This was a great challenge for the team. Shooting indoors had its restrictions, but a huge part of our job is finding creative solutions to these sorts of problems.”

MPC and 4Creative team up on 4seven’s latest mind bending ident

Night Interior Scene in 3ds Max &Vray

Many of you always want to see the interior, light settings. So, you can also create a professional scene.
Now after purchasing this scene you can take a deep look into the lighting and materials, also get the Realisic Models, Shaders and Textures and study the Camera and Render settings.

Night Interior Scene in 3ds Max &Vray

Model the Classic Furniture Ornaments

Classic Furniture video tutorial series are designed to give you all the building blocks you need to successfully model classic furniture with 3ds MAX.

Model the Classic Furniture Ornaments

MPC introduces Thomas

MPC introduces “Thomas,” a photo-real VFX-fueled spot for Dell that reveals the transformative power of imagination.

MPC introduces Thomas

Review: Connectify Dispatch 4.1x

When you have more than 1 connection then you always think why we don’t join the speed of these 2 internet connections and download the file faster.

Review: Connectify Dispatch 4.1x

CGArena: CG Magazine Feb - Mar 13 Issue

New issue of your favorite animation magazine is online now and all the registered members can download this for free.

CGArena: CG Magazine Feb - Mar 13 Issue

Exploring Realflow and Frost

In this video tutorial I will show you how to use, very fast, the plugin Frost and compare the few proprieties with the classic "blob mesh"

Exploring Realflow and Frost

Interview with Tomasz Strzalkowski

Tomasz working as an art director for Flying Wild Hog. In the past, he worked as a senior 3d Artist, then as a Lead Asset Artist for People Can Fly

Interview with Tomasz Strzalkowski

The Making of Cubus House

Hope you will enjoy this small video making of exterior visualization project cubus house by sergio mereces from portugal

The Making of Cubus House

Free Download: Olive Trees Pack Vol 1

Pack of 9 olive trees with textures (Diffuse, Specular, Normalmap, Displace) and Vray Materials

Free Download: Olive Trees Pack Vol 1

Learn the Maxon Cinema 4D R14 from Experts

In this Maxon Cinema 4D R14 training course expert author Chris Martin teaches you the basic tools you will need to create 3D models in this software. Chris is an educator and also uses Cinema 4D for his business, creating graphics solutions for TV, film and businesses. He uses this real-world experience to show you how to actually use Cinema 4D for your day to day 3D modeling needs.

Learn the Maxon Cinema 4D R14 from Experts

Learn to create Bedroom Scene from A to Z

Learn how to create this Bedroom Scene from A to Z!

 Here are some of the topics covered:

• Polygon modeling complex furniture and the room
• Cloth simulations (Duvet, pillow edges, bedside tables and curtains)
• UVW Unwrapping
• Material creation with VRay
• Interior lighting setup
• Post-Production in Photoshop

Learn to create Bedroom Scene from A to Z

Learn to Create Modular Building Workflow

In this video we discuss creating modular assets on the grid that are highly reusable, use Photoshop to create a texture sheet to quickly map to our modular building set, and quick UV techniques for these types of assets.

Learn to Create Modular Building Workflow

RayFire Cache Video Tutorial

The new RayFire cache is here! Check the tutorial as well. New feature in RayFire 1.61 - Geometry & Animation caching in single file.

RayFire Cache Video Tutorial

Methods of Assessment of Creative Artworks

Each creative person in the course of the activity exposes his artworks on court as spectators, and professional jury. How the inhabitant and how the professional estimates the presented work?

Methods of Assessment of Creative Artworks

Production/VFX House Address Submission

We are updating and growing the list of production/vfx house address and contact details, so if you serious about your business an...

Production/VFX House Address Submission

Understanding mParticles in 3ds Max

In this tutorial I will give a little introduction to use a simple effects of "MassFX Flow" with a fragment pieces at follow down and collision on the box geometry

Understanding mParticles in 3ds Max

Learn the Basics of Modelling Classic Furniture

Classic Furniture video tutorial series are designed to give you all the building blocks you need to successfully model and map cl...

Learn the Basics of
Modelling Classic Furniture

FumeFX Explosion & Effector

This will teach you how to use Effector to control turbulence. Effectors are one of the most powerful tools in the FumeFX

FumeFX Explosion & Effector

Asset workflow Tutorial for creating a Sci-fi Floor

Starting with the normal map baking process in 3ds Max, this tutorial will cover creating color and spec maps, setup a floor material in UDK

Asset workflow Tutorial for creating a Sci-fi Floor

Medieval Sword Modeling in Maya

in this tutorial I will show you how to model a low poly sword using Maya modeling tools, by using this technique you would be able to model any kind of sword

Medieval Sword Modeling in Maya

MPC and RKCR/Y&R deliver an extraordinary campaign for Virgin Atlantic

Directed by Antoine Bardou-Jacquet through Partizan, the spot features a cast of 5 super-humans who were ‘born different’ than the rest of us. Due to the scale of the shoot, the MPC VFX team were brought in at a very early stage, helping to work out concepts for individual shots.

MPC and RKCR/Y&R deliver an extraordinary campaign for Virgin Atlantic

Interview with Zynga (Development Team Behind Farmville 2)

The creative team discussed the studio’s new 3D pipeline, which it credits for the new look of Farmville 2. The behind-the-scenes video details how the Zynga team easily modeled, animated and rigged 3D characters and environments to build an engrossing universe for gamers.

Interview with Zynga (Development Team Behind Farmville 2)

Creating the Galapagos Islands in 3D for Sky's new Print Campaign

By using state of the art 3D camera technology the unique and rare creatures of these islands have been brought to life in ways never seen to viewers before.

Creating the Galapagos Islands in 3D for Sky's new Print Campaign

How to create Stereoscopic Render

In this tutorial Majid will explain you how to create a stereoscopic render in 3ds max and Fusion.

How to create Stereoscopic Render

How to make a Ground Crack Effect

This tutorial shows four ways to make a ground crack effect using VolumeBreaker, Rayfire and 3ds max

How to make a Ground Crack Effect

Crystal Effect using Toolbox#2 in 3ds Max

This 30 min video tutorial will explain how to create a Crystal Effect on the bunny model using Toolbox#2.

Crystal Effect using Toolbox#2 in 3ds Max

MPC and 4Creative create an enigmatic labyrinth world for Channel 4 ‘s new series Utopia

MPC was involved right from the start of this project, working closely with 4Creative and director Keith McCarthy to concept the overall look and feel for the films.

MPC and 4Creative create an enigmatic labyrinth world for Channel 4 ‘s new series Utopia

Custom Fracture in 3ds Max

This Tutorial is about creating your custom Rayfire Shatter shapes. It gives and indepth look how to set up your Rayfire Tracing s...

Custom Fracture in 3ds Max

CGArena: CG Magazine Dec - Jan 13 Issue

Enjoy your holidays of Xmas & New Year with this free PDF magazine of CGArena which contains interviews, makings & much more

CGArena: CG Magazine Dec - Jan 13 Issue

Correcting the Vray & Mental Ray Self-Illumination Display in Viewport

The tutorial assumes that the user has a basic knowledge of 3ds Max when applying textures to the self-illumination toggle; applying the “UVW map” modifier and assigning material slots to objects/surfaces.

Correcting the Vray & Mental Ray Self-Illumination Display in Viewport

Artistic Rendering: The Way of the Samurai

In the present article you can find a theoretical material about artistic visualization. Now, we will talk about a creation of a picture, beginning from a modeling of the car.

Artistic Rendering: The Way of the Samurai

Taylor James Urban Angel Seasonal Cinemagraph

Taylor James winter 2012-13 integrated campaign is an interactive treat created by their London Studio especially for you. Seamlessly blending the own live-action, photography, CGI and creative retouching, to offer a truly magical experience.

Taylor James Urban Angel Seasonal Cinemagraph

From Maldives with Love

From the sky I was amazed by the beauty of this place, the air is so clear that you can see far away. When is sunny you can see the small caustics, the transparency of the water

From Maldives with Love

Physical Sun and Sky with Portal Light

This tutorial is about Maya's Physical Sun & Sky as well as using Portal Light shader to light up the scene in the realistic way with lesser rendering time

Physical Sun and Sky with Portal Light

Spot: Angel or Demon?

The Artery VFX has created a stunning – and very sexual – spot for Russian brand Redd’s alcoholic drink in collaboration with Copperwind Productions Director Zach Gold

Spot: Angel or Demon?

Creating Customised IES web lights for Vray or Mental Ray

This tutorial will focus mainly in customizing IES web files through the use of Creator IES software, as opposed to general photom...

Creating Customised IES web lights for Vray or Mental Ray

Rendering of the Car: An Approach to a Creation of the Studio

Artist decided to write a lesson on studio visualization of the cars, and precisely - on approaches to the creation of the studio ...

Rendering of the Car: An Approach to a Creation of the Studio

Making of Maniche Caricature

Artist decided to choose Maniche because of his facial expressions that are really cartoonish and made this images using photoshop...

Making of Maniche Caricature

Creating a Velvet/Suede finish with Vray or Mental Ray

One of the most distinctive characteristics of the velvet/suede finish is its soft textured effect with two contrasts that...

Creating a Velvet/Suede finish with Vray or Mental Ray

Making of Carnivorous Plant

This tutorial carnivorous plant show you the texturing process using Mudbox Ptex with its rendering in 3ds Max and V-Ray 2.

Making of Carnivorous Plant

yU+co create Life of Pi stereoscopic Typography For Title Sequence and Key Scenes

yU+co create the film’s elegantly crafted main title sequence, end crawl and additional key sequences in the film

yU+co create Life of Pi stereoscopic Typography For Title Sequence and Key Scenes

Gift of Togetherness Holiday Campaign

A mother's personal narrative and a ribbon have become the focal points and inspiration for people to donate in support of children and families

Gift of Togetherness Holiday Campaign

Creating Vray Materials - Vol 3

If you think you are ready for some advanced VRay material tricks and techniques, this video tutorial is for you! VRay has amazing capacity for creating very complex materials. You just have to learn to think outside the box.

Creating Vray Materials - Vol 3

FumeFX 3 - Effectors

In this 38 min video Allan Mckay covers one of Fume FX 3's most powerful new features - Effectors. Hope you will enjoy this new video.

FumeFX 3 - Effectors

The Maya Beginners Course: Vol1 - Vol5

In this complete Beginner’s Course, we start by covering the basics of using Maya to understand all the tools you need to know to hit the ground running with 3d modeling for game assets!

The Maya Beginners Course: Vol1 - Vol5

Making of Dance for Us

In the ending to Snow White the evil queen is taken away and put scalding iron shoes and made to dance till her body gave out.

Making of Dance for Us

Interview with Markus Lovadina

Interview with 38 years old artist and Creative Director with more than 16 years of experience in advertising industry

Interview with Markus Lovadina

Submit your Artwork for 2013 Calendar

The 2013 Calendar Wallpaper is a great way to inspire artists to create something on which whole community can proud.

Submit your Artwork for 2013 Calendar

Sony's Skyfall inspired Broadcast Spot

Daniel Craig is agent 007 in a new broadcast spot that’s part of Sony’s global ‘Intelligence Gathered’ campaign. In the spot, a mysterious woman uses several Sony devices to track an unidentified man as he storms past armed guards

Sony's Skyfall inspired Broadcast Spot

Making of The Bedouin

The Bedouin was created as artist one of demo reel pieces. It is based on an amazing photograph by Peter Stanton. Created this art...

Making of The Bedouin

I am Ironman - Modeling: Vol 1

Learn how to model in extensive detail the Iron Man Suit in 3ds Max without using any plug-in

I am Ironman - Modeling: Vol 1

Vray Object Properties VOP

This Tutorial will show you how to set up render layers correctly using Vray Object Properties. It is a very convenient method of ...

Vray Object Properties VOP

Stardust Drives VFX Behind Toyota’s New Rav 4 EV Promo

Stardust created a highly stylized and darkly futuristic world for Toyota's promo spot for the new Rav 4 EV. Featuring a mix of visual...

Stardust Drives VFX Behind Toyota’s New Rav 4 EV Promo

David Rosenbaum Mixes Horror and Comedy in the Kitchen for Pam Cooking Spray

Director David Rosenbaum of Mothership reunited with DDB San Francisco to direct a series of spots for ConAgra\'s Pam Cooking Spray...

David Rosenbaum Mixes Horror and Comedy in the Kitchen for Pam Cooking Spray

Nice Shoes Gets Things Moving at Motion 2012

When the brightest minds in the film, broadcast and videogame industries took their seats at this year’s motion 2012 in Albuquerque

Nice Shoes Gets Things Moving at Motion 2012