A Simple Question
 

Just something that 'popped' in there while Ive been sitting here working on a new model, some of you may find this weird, some may find it obvious and some amusing. The question is:

Why do we do test renders, be them software or mental ray while we are still in the middle of a WIP without it being textured? Or better still if arms and legs are missing on a character

I know why I do it, but I'll wait and give you my answer later.

Cheers
Jay

I do it for scene composition....so I can figure out if the geo needs tweaking to render better.

hmmm....good question!

Well for some reason I dont trust what I see in the viewport...light bounce off is more detailed in the render...I can see the shadow, reflections...evrything that can help me to figure out the surface issues, relief, problems with seams, normals...

well, during modeling, to see how much i can get away with.
for instance, if i have too many lines bunched up in a smaller area. in the viewport, they are not too obvious and you think its ok. but, while rendering they become more prominent.
so if they are showing up then i know that ok, i'll have to tweak them a bit...

I agree with Darijo, rendering seems to be more precise than the viewport...

and plus AO renders just make anything look damn cool:beer:

I do renders for all the previous reasons mentioned, but Vlad has a very valid point. I'm a little embarrassed to say that I love using an occlusion node to do test renders that keep me fired up and motivated just because it makes the model look cool.

I feel so much better getting that off my chest.

Gives me an excuse to get more coffee. I think i've got an addiction to the stuff.

Lol, that's a good one ;)

Re: A Simple Question
 

Damn Jay we're still waiting...