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FAQs

Doesn't ArtVPS make rendering hardware?

We are, indeed, known for developing the first processor exclusively designed to accelerate ray-tracing of 3D data, using sophisticated rendering algorithms. With advances in mainstream processor technology, we have now extended our specialist programming expertise into off-the-shelf processing platforms.

How does it fit into the rendering workflow?

This is what excites us - and everyone who tries Shaderlight - because it stands to fundamentally change the way 3D artists generate images. Even with faster processors and inexpensive RAM, the mathematical processing involved in ray-tracing means it can be a time-consuming process. Conventionally, any change in image attributes means re-rendering, and because this takes time there is a tendency to compromise. The usual route is to experiment at low resolution or low quality settings, but this does not provide sufficient detail for the kind of accurate fine-tuning any good artist will want to make. Shaderlight removes this bottleneck, enabling 3D artists to exercise their creativity without waiting for yet another test render.

How does Shaderlight work?

Shaderlight maintains the relationship between the colour of rendered pixels and the elements of the 3D scene that contribute to those pixels. When changes are made to materials, environments, lights or textures, the information embedded in the intelligent pixels updates the image without the need to re-render.

Does it require additional memory? What are the system requirements? Are there any other hardware issues?

While Shaderlight renders in a different way to conventional ray-tracing, it requires no special hardware or graphics card. The interactivity scales with memory, so you will find that more memory will enhance the experience. For this reason, we recommend Windows Vista or Windows XP with 64-bit processors and at least 8GB of RAM. This, though, is becoming the norm for 3D professionals.

Does Shaderlight only work with 3ds Max?

The 3ds Max plug-in is the first of a series of Shaderlight products. Our aim is that the Shaderlight rendering technology will be available to anyone who needs to generate and edit high quality renderings.

Will there be plug-in versions for Maya, etc?

The Shaderlight technology has the potential to be used in any number of 3D applications, and we are keen to work closely with both hardware and software partners to ensure that as many creative 3D professionals as possible can take advantage of Shaderlight.

Will Shaderlight require extensive training?

No - Shaderlight has been designed to integrate seamlessly into the workflow of any 3D artist. The ArtVPS website will soon feature video tutorials as well as the online forum for users to share their Shaderlight experiences.

Can Shaderlight be used in animation?

Absolutely. Shaderlight can be used interactively to speed the process of lighting and texturing a scene and conventionally as an offline renderer in the same way as other third-party renderers in the production of animations and fly-throughs.

Does Shaderlight take longer than other render engines to render the first pass in order to collect all the data it needs?

Marginally more time, yes, so that direct changes can be made to the materials, environments, lighting or textures of a fully rendered image with instant results.

What is MELT?

The acronym for the elements (materials, environments, lights and textures) that can be changed on a final image without having to re-render when using Shaderlight.

What are intelligent pixels?

Shaderlight renders intelligent pixels that understand where they fit in a 3D image and what to do if something changes.  When a MELT change is made the intelligent pixels in the image update nteractively rather tha re-rendering the entire image from scratch.

Does Shaderlight have GI?

Yes - we've developed a new approach to global illumination that we call 'active photon tracing'.

Is Shaderlight compatible with mental ray?

No, Shaderlight is a renderer in its own right so it not compatible with mental ray or other third party renderers.

Does Shaderlight use mental ray or V-Ray materials?

No, although Shaderlight can be used with the 3ds Max materials as well as its own sophisticated physically accurate materials.  We have also developed a material library with 30 material presets to download and use.

Deos Shaderlight support Proxy objects?

While Shaderlight does support Xref objects, it doesn't support proxy objects.

Does Shaderlight support distributed/network rendering?

Shaderlight is fully multi threaded so it will use all available CPU cores on a local machine however it currently does not support distributed rendering over a network.