People asked me for a step by step installation and usage of Binary Alchemy Color Ray Length shader in 3D Max.
Here we go.
Installation
- Download BA Shaders for 3D Max.
- Copy .dll files here -> “3ds Max 2010\mentalray\shaders_3rdparty\shaders”
- Copy .mi files here -> “3ds Max 2010\mentalray\shaders_3rdparty\include”
- Edit “3rdparty.mi” located here -> 3ds Max 2010\mentalray\shaders_3rdparty
- Your “3rdparty.mi” must be something like this.
Usage
- Create a matte/shadow shader and uncheck “receive shadows” and “use ambient occlusion”.
- In the “camera mapped background” input, connect a “BA_color_raylength” shader.
- Play with the “spread” to control the behaviour of the occlusion.
- Once rendered you’ll have something similar to this.
- Mix the “BA_color_raylength” with procedural maps or bitmaps to improve the result.
Edit: The most important parameters to play with are “spread” and “far output”.