render layers and sss shaders

# 1 02-01-2009 , 09:26 AM

Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2005

Location: Brooklyn, NY

Posts: 3,708

ok, so i'm trying to get my head around render layers. I have a scene set up with a fly sitting on a leaf - the leaf has been imported into the scene and has a sss fast simple shader attached.

the problem is that when i render the diffuse layer, the leaf still renders with it's specular highlights, while the fly renders flat - as it should. is there something i'm missing? i thought it might be the sss shader, but when i render the occlusion layer it seems to work fine.

help!

arran3D

arran3D blog

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# 2 02-01-2009 , 10:09 AM

Lead Modeler - Framestore
Join Date: Feb 2003

Location: UK

Posts: 6,287

Hey Arran

I dont think SSS works so well on the diffuse pass setting. I have the same gripe, I usually do it as a beauty pass, then render the rest of the passes normally and add to it (which isnt unheard of either)

but if anyone knows better, then I'd love to hear as well

Jay

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# 3 02-01-2009 , 10:17 AM

Lead Modeler - Framestore
Join Date: Feb 2003

Location: UK

Posts: 6,287

Hey Arran

Yeah I did a check, Maya basically cant hack it. The answer is either to do what I do, use a new shader, or turn off the specular settings for SSS before hitting the render.

thats it!

Jay

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# 4 02-01-2009 , 11:17 AM

Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2005

Location: Brooklyn, NY

Posts: 3,708

hey - thanks jay - really appreciate your help - it's always good to find out it's maya that's having the problem... and not you! user added image

render layers are new to me so i'll have a play and will keep your advice in mind.

in the meantime here's a little tutorial for breaking subsurface scattering into layers that may be worth a read. user added image