Just wondering does displacement add very much in way of processing or render times? And does the displacement required further subdivision of geometry for best / faster results (aka maxwell, Indigo)?

True displacement mapping is a demanding feature. I would say that the response is logical, neither too much nor nothing at all.


In principle no, you don't need to have extra geometry subdivision for best results. Indeed, it will need somewhat extra time if you need to transform a basic primitive (a cube) into a complex one (a spaceship! )

best wishes
Ioannis Pantazopoulos

Like Giannis said, Thea can do subdivision for displacement, but I think initial subdivision in the modelling program would give you a better control and possible a speed benefit, but I have not really made comparison. Displacement/subdivision does always come with a cost, there is no way around of that, but you have a option to chooce where to pay that, in the modelling program or in the renderer.

Seems like a great thing to test: subdivision "on the fly" versus a previous subdivided model. Same model for both tests, then it's just a time comparison. Perhaps we can see the "optimal" ratio between model and renderer subdivision.

WOW! I see potential!! Zbrush owners hedding this way!!!!!!

Hi,
I`m not sure if I understood this right but this means that you can change the displacement value while you are rendering like the relight feature?

Cheers
JC

no, I don't think so. the subdivision process for displacement takes place, when the geometry is prepared for rendering (right after you clicked the 'render' button)
what bmscmoreira ment is, that it would be interesting to see how fast this subdividing process is compared to the effort of loading the huge mesh of a model that has been subdivided manually in the modelling application.
because if it takes roughly the same time, it is a good idea to keep the model low-poly in the modeller and let Thea do the work. it is however likely, that the subdividing prozess by the renderer will take quite a long time.

plot-paris has basically answered for me!

Displacement "on the fly" means that it doesn't have to be modeled, yet no changes can be done during or after rendering.

best wishes
giannis

Now I get it, thanks for the clarification

Cheers
JC

PS. I love this forum

Yes