is ambient occlusion neccessary in every render?

[@matrix]

I thought it was more of a way to fake global illumination back in the day, but now that we are able to easily create global illumination do you still need to use it?

[Frood]

You answered your question yourself: No :)

AO in Corona is more a tool to create effects like weathering (when used as a mask). And in some rare situations you may still use it as some artistic exaggeration.

Good Luck

[Edvinas]

I would tell opposite. You should never ever use AO when rendering. I mean in realistic images. It's not natural effect and in most cases it will give more artistic than realistic feeling :)

[Frood]

I would tell opposite.

*tilt*

I think we both judged the same :)

Good Luck

[Edvinas]

I would tell opposite.

*tilt*

I think we both judged the same :)

Good Luck

By telling opposite, I meant post subject, which almost tells to use AO always. Not your post :)

Peace, have a nice weekend!

[Frood]

Ha, got it :)

Good Luck!

[Cyanhide]

Personally I never use ambient occlusion, its not even realistic and when its used its rarely done right.

[blank...]

Personally I never use ambient occlusion...

I use it all the time, but as Frood said for dirt and weathering. Corona is great for this with it's include/exclude and masking options.

[melviso]

I don't use AO anymore. Renderers now can handle big scenes with a lot of displacements so it's hardly ever needed and shadows and GI are now top notch.