Chaos Corona Forum

Chaos Corona for 3ds Max => [Max] I need help! => Topic started by: dj_buckley on 2023-07-31, 23:04:56

Title: Caustics
Post by: dj_buckley on 2023-07-31, 23:04:56
Whenever I render pool caustics I always get these odd looking areas.  I don't really know how to describe other than it looks like the same effect you'd get on texture on the sides of a box if you applied texture mapping in planar mode rather than box.

I don't see them in any references photos of swimming pools etc.

The water is simply a flat piece of geometry displaced with Phoenix FD Ocean Tex.

So I'm wondering if its an artifact caused by Corona's displacement?
Title: Re: Caustics
Post by: Beanzvision on 2023-08-01, 07:35:53
Isn't this how it works in real-life too? ;)

(https://forum.corona-renderer.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=40643.0;attach=186303;image)
Title: Re: Caustics
Post by: dj_buckley on 2023-08-01, 08:08:59
Not sure.  I guess that's what I was trying to ask
Title: Re: Caustics
Post by: dj_buckley on 2023-08-01, 08:37:44
Maybe they just look really artificial in Corona because I'm struggling to find an example that looks like the render
Title: Re: Caustics
Post by: Beanzvision on 2023-08-01, 09:43:47
There are plenty of examples out there ;)

(https://forum.corona-renderer.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=40643.0;attach=186316;image)

(https://forum.corona-renderer.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=40643.0;attach=186318;image)

(https://forum.corona-renderer.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=40643.0;attach=186320;image)
Title: Re: Caustics
Post by: dj_buckley on 2023-08-01, 09:46:28
I can't help but notice all of the samples you've posted are really shallow water with uneven ground below the surface.  Maybe that makes a difference
Title: Re: Caustics
Post by: Tom on 2023-08-01, 09:54:48
Hi,

@dj_buckley your render doesn't look odd to me. It looks pretty realistic actually. I mean, if I hadn't read this post and I saw your render, I wouldn't say caustics look fake. And given all the examples posted here it looks like there's nothing wrong with your render, but that's just my point of view.
Title: Re: Caustics
Post by: dj_buckley on 2023-08-01, 09:56:58
I'm happy to accept that.  I think I just found them distracting and now it's a case of, what has been seen can't be unseen :)
Title: Re: Caustics
Post by: Beanzvision on 2023-08-01, 10:05:23
Good ole' fashioned optical distortion :)