-
Please see the most recent updates in the "Where did the .com name go?" thread. Posts number 16 and 17.
Prepar3D V4.4 with PBR Engine Released
- Thread starter gman5250
- Start date
gman5250
Charter Member
Moving through the learning curve.
I used the 3D test model to set up a texture target map that I can refer to when I build different metal types. This model is based on a 50% gray albedo and a pure white to pure black metallic target. After exporting the model I used MCX to add environment reflections and Fresnel to the .mdl, and place the model in V4.4
I can view the model in real time, motion, weather and lighting, then pick the shade of albedo color I want.
In the case of an aluminum, I can build the metal texture in Quixel Mixer or Substance Painter, then translate that texture to meet the gray value required for proper reflectivity and gloss.
After building the model I have a very comfortable understanding of the work flow, which I can translate to metal or painted aircraft, buildings, glass, ground polys and vegetation. Pretty trick.
For these screens I enabled Dynamic Reflections and Lighting. HDR enabled. Note the terrain and runway reflections. With weather enabled the clouds, shadows and lighting reflect in real time across the spheres as the clouds move across the sky.
To really appreciate the PBR material it should be viewed in motion. I'll put up a short video in the next day or two. In the meantime...
I used the 3D test model to set up a texture target map that I can refer to when I build different metal types. This model is based on a 50% gray albedo and a pure white to pure black metallic target. After exporting the model I used MCX to add environment reflections and Fresnel to the .mdl, and place the model in V4.4
I can view the model in real time, motion, weather and lighting, then pick the shade of albedo color I want.
In the case of an aluminum, I can build the metal texture in Quixel Mixer or Substance Painter, then translate that texture to meet the gray value required for proper reflectivity and gloss.
After building the model I have a very comfortable understanding of the work flow, which I can translate to metal or painted aircraft, buildings, glass, ground polys and vegetation. Pretty trick.
For these screens I enabled Dynamic Reflections and Lighting. HDR enabled. Note the terrain and runway reflections. With weather enabled the clouds, shadows and lighting reflect in real time across the spheres as the clouds move across the sky.
To really appreciate the PBR material it should be viewed in motion. I'll put up a short video in the next day or two. In the meantime...
ejoiner
Charter Member
gman5250
Charter Member
Link to PBR materials in motion video.
[video]https://www.brighteon.com/5981794166001[/video]
Just a quick no frills video of the PBR spheres in motion.
The texture is 50% gray with a grunge layer. PBR metalness & smoothness are 100% white to 100% black, corresponding from full shine to full dull. No Fresnel ramp or specular.
The textures were generated in Quixel Mixer.
[video]https://www.brighteon.com/5981794166001[/video]
Just a quick no frills video of the PBR spheres in motion.
The texture is 50% gray with a grunge layer. PBR metalness & smoothness are 100% white to 100% black, corresponding from full shine to full dull. No Fresnel ramp or specular.
The textures were generated in Quixel Mixer.
Mach3DS
Charter Member
So the reflection is of actual environment....can it Self reflect? Do we know this yet Gordon? Something I didn't read yet...
Great video.
Gordon, the RGB brightness of the material color affects the look, so an aircraft aluminum might need to be in the 66% brightness range for a "real" look?
Great video.
Gordon, the RGB brightness of the material color affects the look, so an aircraft aluminum might need to be in the 66% brightness range for a "real" look?
gman5250
Charter Member
No reflection of aircraft yet Rick, but all sim objects, terrain and weather are live. Haven't checked avatars yet.
You are right about the aluminum...somewhere around 60-66% on the R and A layers. I'm working with the B-26K right now and started at 15% metalness. That's good for the R channel on a painted plane, but the A smoothness layer is about 5-8%, or nearly black as seen here. Pure black is too flat.
Last edited:
Mach3DS
Charter Member
Copy that Matt.
@Gordon,
Looks like you're well into it! I'm going to get Quixel here soon. Will need your help again amigo!
gman5250
Charter Member
Have a look at Substance Painter too Rick. For work at your level it might be worthwhile to have both, Quixel for convenient interface and SP for the high end details.
As far as help...of course, whatever you need.
Gordon, since I made the textures for the A-26JK weapons in Quixel. I could make a second set of them, plugging the Quixel maps back into the models.
Cheers,
Mark
gman5250
Charter Member
gman5250
Charter Member
Some preliminary shots of the B-26K in PBR basic polished metal skin.
This particular work is still very much at light study level. Acquiring a sense of the new medium will come naturally to most skinners. I can see how devs can build a PK that will do most of the heavy lifting, allowing the skinner to focus on the color work, leaving the metallic layers to develop the light.
No specular layering (yet), just straight polished metal with average wear and tear. I can see where we are going once we get to full PBR...hopefully V5???
In motion this is a quantum step forward. The presence and realism are, to say the least, striking.
This particular work is still very much at light study level. Acquiring a sense of the new medium will come naturally to most skinners. I can see how devs can build a PK that will do most of the heavy lifting, allowing the skinner to focus on the color work, leaving the metallic layers to develop the light.
No specular layering (yet), just straight polished metal with average wear and tear. I can see where we are going once we get to full PBR...hopefully V5???
In motion this is a quantum step forward. The presence and realism are, to say the least, striking.
Mach3DS
Charter Member
Finally got v4.4 installed. Taking a look through the SDK and then the files of the F16, the specular is still there? odd.....I thought that the Metallic file would have incorporated the Specularity? This is a deviation from how it's done in War thunder and DCS.
Gordon, shots look great! I just need a model that is PBR enabled to work on! LOL.
Gordon, shots look great! I just need a model that is PBR enabled to work on! LOL.
Mach3DS
Charter Member
I think I know what happened here....sleep traded for trying out the new toy, and not reloading the sim for proper texture reload. I think it was using a cached texture...looking forward to experimenting more when I get home.
Edit, just realized that I also didn't have dynamic Reflections on.....too excited, and I broke the whole thing! LOL
You can see that I have the incorrect spec loaded too.....wow, terrible first post! haha.... However, I think I'm understanding how it's working now in this sim vs. the other sims out there that I've painted for.
Edit, just realized that I also didn't have dynamic Reflections on.....too excited, and I broke the whole thing! LOL
You can see that I have the incorrect spec loaded too.....wow, terrible first post! haha.... However, I think I'm understanding how it's working now in this sim vs. the other sims out there that I've painted for.
Mach3DS
Charter Member
actually....now that I'm reading through the SDK, for modeling side....I may have screwed up the conversion in MCX....I think I needed to set the Smoothness, and also need to alter the occlusion levels in the G channel....however my painted areas are super nice looking with the reflected sun...so My guess is that it was done right....more experimenting to do. Once it's dialed in, I'll be less scatter brained!
Also, only the Fuselage and wings have PBR materials applied....the vertical stab and all other parts do not.
Also, only the Fuselage and wings have PBR materials applied....the vertical stab and all other parts do not.
bazzar
Charter Member 2018
Why not get the updated C-119 and then you can download the free Phoenix which is available in PBR and non-PBR for the same sim. Then you could compare the rates. We are not seeing much difference in rates on testing the Heinkel in full PBR with dynamics running fine. Incidentally, your rig is actually better than our test rig.
gman5250
Charter Member
Running the B-26K in an extended flight over a control area where I know performance expectations.
I'm seeing negligible, if any impact on performance. It's important to understand that PBR controls multiple parameters in the metallic layer...one texture sheet. This has the net effect of eliminating texture sheets that previously were required on some models.
I'm seeing negligible, if any impact on performance. It's important to understand that PBR controls multiple parameters in the metallic layer...one texture sheet. This has the net effect of eliminating texture sheets that previously were required on some models.
Last edited: