Hi, first post, go easy on me, hopefully this is the correct sub-forum.
I’m a visualizer, currently working for an architect and historically working within the Arch-viz and interiors sectors. I’ve previously been using the tradition 3DSMax/Vray/Corona pipeline, these days I’m often using Revit models made by the architects and importing into Max, texturting, adding more models, replacing bits, photoshop for post production blah blah blah. I’m just starting out in Unreal, not done much beyond opening the programme, installing datasmith plugins, but it appeals for a number of reason, one of which is that it just seems to be the way the industry is going, so I thought I’d better see what all the fuss is about and how well it can work for me.
I’m having a little trouble getting my head around established pipelines, I’m sure I’d come to understand everything in time, but hopefully someone can help me along a little faster?
It seems, like with all complex programmes, that there’s a few ways of doing things. As I understand it, to get rendered content out of Unreal, you need to either:
- bake in light maps with a 2nd UVW channel
- use raytraced lighting which relies on a Graphics Card with this capability - such as the Nvidea RTX cards.
I have a Quadro P4000 card, so the latter isn’t an option, but that does have Cuda so I can potentially use GPU lightmass? But I don’t know whether that replaces the 2nd UVW channel, or just supplements it?
Also, when using Datasmith to export, is there the need to bake in 2nd UVWs in max? I think the answer is no. Would a datasmith scene still benefit from the GPU lightmass above?
As I say, I’m new, go easy, and I’ll be reading all the standard documentation in the fullness of time, but I realise this might not account for 3rd part solutions like GPUlightmass / Datasmith.
Really just after your thoughts on the best workflow from Revit/3DSMax and in to Unreal; what’s working for you and what isn’t.
Thanks in advance.