How to get a better render

[Feudomon]

Hi :) I'm looking for a way to get a "better looking" render than right now. My camera is set to 1024/256 but it still doesn't fit me, is there any software to use that would improve the render of a poster or an animation?

[Pte Jack]

in the scene property panel, under the image size, is your render percentage set to 100%?

[The Custy (ON GAMING HIATUS)]

Originally posted by Feudomon:

Hi :) I'm looking for a way to get a "better looking" render than right now. My camera is set to 1024/256 but it still doesn't fit me, is there any software to use that would improve the render of a poster or an animation?

Hi!

While rendering at max settings can often times boost quality, there are things you need to pay attention to first.

First off, in your camera settings, setting the FOV and DOF settings properly can make a HUGE difference. The Field of View (basically how wide or short the cameras range of sight is) and the Depth of Field. (Basically what the focal point is.)

(DOF Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U34pmbRENUc )

(FOV Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOT95RlDLJk (this one goes into both but explains both nicely.)

Next, we need to make sure that your AO settings are properly configured. This really depends on each scene, but at (many) times, there is a general sweet spot.

(AO Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM7OVemJ7us )
(AO Tutorial 2: https://facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1199241 )

Next, you can also increase the shadowmap resolution of your lights. This is best changed RIGHT before you render, as it can cause some significant slowdown, as it hogs quite a bit of resources that SFM needs, and as SFM is 32 bit, it cannot really "Take Control" of the full potential of your PC's power. So be careful with this one.

(Shadowmap tutorial (quite easy): https://steamcommunity.com/app/1840/discussions/0/490121928342709171/ )

And some general lighting tutorials:

1. Basic 3 point lighting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_Sov3xmgwg

2. More "Advanced" lighting (SFM Tutorial): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REiskA9omMk

3. Another (possibly useful) lighting tutorial (In SFM again): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aU4h1AS4C8


Now please note. Simply bumping up stuff to crazy high settings and expecting it to look pixar-esk quality generally never works. You need to make sure every little thing is set up to its fullest potential. a 1024/256 render from SFM may look terrible next to a simple 128/64, if the other settings are all not "thought" of.