Samples per Pixel Test

Wanted to find out the difference in using larger or smaller samples per pixel in terms of quality and time. I've also noted for each render how long it would take approximately to render the final sequence - being 600 frames - with these settings. Despite the visual differences not being obvious on the compressed versions here, of the outcomes I have decided to set my sample rate to Min:1, Max:4. Here are the results:

Up to 1/4 Samples per Pixel

0:21 min per frame render time

(approx 3.5 hours total)

1 Samples per Pixel

1:08 min per frame render time

(approx 11.33* hr total)

4 Samples per Pixel

4:09 min per frame render time

(approx 41.5 hours total)

16 Samples per Pixel

16:26 min per frame render time

(approx 164.33* hours total)

64 Samples per Pixel

1:04:12 hr per frame render time

(approx 642 hours total)

Mental Ray/ Scanline & Lighting

Today I've been running tests on the difference between rendering my piece with Mental Ray and Scanline:

• Which lights they are most suited to
• Which effects they are most suited to
• What the render time difference is between them

Here's an example of one I ran:

 

I have decided to go with Mental Ray and work with the Mental Ray settings.

Valhalla Test Render

This is essentially my final piece in terrible quality.
I needed a tester to see whether the soundtrack synced and the footage flowed. I am entirely happy with this sequence and everything bar the quality settings will remain the same.

Scene Still Renders

Here are some test renders of my final piece:

Human Skull Texture Maps

These are the Human Skull Texture Maps (diffuse, specular, normals) I shall be using in my final sequence