In the world of 3D creation—whether you’re rendering photorealistic scenes in Blender, animating in Cinema 4D, or sculpting in ZBrush—your hardware plays a critical role in the speed and quality of your work. One of the most important aspects is GPU memory—specifically, the difference between dedicated and shared GPU memory. This article will break down these two types of GPU memory, how they affect 3D workflows, and what you should look for when choosing or optimizing your setup. Let’s explore with iRender.

GPU memory—often referred to as VRAM (Video Random Access Memory)—is used to store graphics data such as textures, geometry, shaders, frame buffers, and more. It’s essential for real-time rendering, viewport interaction, and GPU-accelerated tasks like ray tracing or simulation.

There are two main types:

• Dedicated GPU memory: Physical VRAM built into a discrete graphics card.
• Shared GPU memory: System RAM borrowed for graphics tasks, mainly in integrated or lower-tier GPUs.

Dedicated GPU memory refers to the memory that’s physically built into a discrete (dedicated) graphics card. Think NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 or AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX. This memory, typically labeled as VRAM (Video RAM), is reserved exclusively for GPU tasks, like rendering, shading, or real-time viewport preview.

Key Characteristics:

• Faster bandwidth: VRAM is designed for high-speed parallel processing.
  
• Independent from system RAM: It doesn’t borrow memory from your main system.
  
• Better performance: Ideal for handling large textures, complex meshes, and high-resolution viewport rendering.
  

Why It Matters for 3D Artists:

• High performance: VRAM offers high bandwidth and low latency, critical for rendering large scenes and working with high-resolution assets.
• Stability: Large 3D scenes often exceed 8 GB or even 16 GB of memory. When rendering high-poly scenes or using GPU-accelerated engines like Cycles, OctaneRender, or Redshift, the GPU relies heavily on VRAM. If your scene exceeds the available VRAM, it can cause crashes or force your system to fall back on slower system memory, dramatically affecting performance.
• Viewport interaction: Tasks like sculpting, physics simulation, or shading nodes rely heavily on quick memory access.

Example: A detailed scene with 8K textures, volumetrics, and multiple light sources might easily consume 12–16 GB of VRAM.

Shared GPU memory is a portion of your system’s RAM that the GPU can access if it runs out of dedicated VRAM. This is common in integrated graphics (like Intel Iris Xe or AMD Radeon Vega), where the GPU is part of the CPU and doesn’t have its own dedicated VRAM.

Shared GPU memory is useful for basic tasks like modeling, sculpting low-poly assets, or working on simpler scenes. But if you’re rendering or doing heavy viewport work, performance will suffer.

Key Characteristics:

• Slower than VRAM: Because it’s standard system memory, not optimized for graphical workloads.
  
• Dynamic allocation: The system decides how much RAM can be used as shared memory.
  
• Can help—but not replace—dedicated VRAM: It’s a fallback, not a replacement.
  

Limitations in 3D Workflows

• Lower bandwidth: System RAM is slower than VRAM, causing bottlenecks during intensive tasks.
  
• Less memory available overall: If 4 GB of your 16 GB RAM is being used as GPU memory, that’s less for your OS and other apps.
  
• Poor scalability: Great for light modeling or UI-based design work, but not for high-end rendering or VFX.

Example: A laptop with 16 GB of RAM might allocate 4–6 GB as shared memory. However, the bandwidth and latency differences mean it’s not suitable for serious GPU rendering.

As a 3D artist, the type of GPU memory your system uses can make or break your creative workflow. Here’s how to decide what works best for your needs:

Choose a Dedicated GPU If:

Dedicated GPU memory is a must-have for any artist working with complex 3D pipelines. Choose a discrete GPU if:

• You regularly render scenes or animations: Whether you’re using Cycles in Blender, Arnold in Maya, or Redshift in Cinema 4D, these engines heavily rely on VRAM to handle geometry, shaders, and high-resolution outputs efficiently.

• You work with simulations: Fluid dynamics, smoke, fire, cloth, and particle simulations can be VRAM-intensive, especially during baking or real-time previews.

• Your scenes use 4K or 8K textures: Textures are among the biggest VRAM consumers. A few 8K textures can easily consume multiple gigabytes of memory.

• You need real-time performance: Applications like Unreal Engine, Unity, and NVIDIA Omniverse require real-time rendering capabilities that only dedicated GPUs can offer. Shared memory simply can’t keep up with the performance demand.

Note: Minimum VRAM recommended for modern workflows in 2025: 12–16 GB
High-end scenes, especially those with volumetrics or ray tracing, may require 24 GB or more.

Use Shared GPU Memory Only If:

Shared memory can be a temporary or entry-level solution, but it comes with limitations. It’s only suitable if:

• You’re a student or hobbyist: If you’re just learning the basics or practicing low-poly modeling, integrated graphics can suffice.

• You mainly model or texture low-poly assets: Tasks that don’t involve real-time rendering or GPU-accelerated rendering can run on minimal hardware.

• You don’t render using GPU acceleration: If you’re using CPU rendering engines or just exporting assets, GPU memory becomes less critical.

For any 3D artist aiming to work efficiently and professionally, dedicated GPU memory is a necessity. It provides the raw speed, stability, and memory bandwidth required to handle complex scenes, render high-res outputs, and work efficiently in real-time environments.

However, high-end GPUs with large VRAM (like 24 GB or more) come at a steep cost and may not be accessible for every artist, especially freelancers or small studios.

That’s where iRender comes in. iRender is proud to be one of the best GPU service providers on the market. We provide you with high-configuration models with advanced specifications such as AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO 3955WX @ 3.9 – 4.2GHz or AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO 5975WX @ 3.6 – 4, 5GHz, 256GB RAM, 2TB NVMe SSD storage. Most importantly, we always update to the latest GPU technology, with 1/2/4/6/8 x RTX3090/RTX4090.

Under the IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) model you will have full control over the machine via a remote desktop app, similar to TeamViewer but more stable. You will be able to proactively install the software and use it on the server just like using a personal computer. You can find many server packages with high-end configurations that are extremely suitable for complex projects.

We’re always happy to help you with any questions. If you have any problems or questions, don’t hesitate to contact our 24/7 support team. Or via Whatsapp: 0912 785 500 for free advice and support.

Right now iRender has a SPECIAL PROMOTION program with a 100% bonus for the first transaction within 24 hours of your registration. It means that you can get an extra 100% of the money you recharged the first time. And points never expire, so you can use them at any time.

Sign up for an account today to experience and enjoy our services.

Thank you & Happy Rendering!

Source and image:Intel, Reddit, pugetsystems, cgdirector

In the world of digital artistry, architecture visualization, and animated films, the quality of rendered images can make a substantial difference in the effectiveness and appeal of a project. As rendering software advances, so does the complexity and potential of its outputs. However, achieving the desired level of professionalism often requires more than leveraging the latest technology. By using effective strategies and tricks, artists and designers can significantly improve the result of their renders. This guide will explore five essential rendering software tricks that can enhance visual quality, optimize workflow efficiency, and ultimately elevate your final output.

Let’s get started with iRender! 

Improving your render results often involves optimizing both hardware and software. Here are some hardware and software tricks to enhance your rendering performance and output quality:

Hardware tricks

Increase RAM

• Add More Memory: Ensure you have enough RAM to handle complex scenes and high-resolution textures. Depending on your workflow, 16GB might be the minimum, with 32GB or more being ideal for demanding tasks.

Fast Storage Solutions

• Use SSDs: Solid State Drives (SSDs) offer much faster read/write speeds than traditional HDDs. Use SSDs for your operating system, software, and project files.
• NVMe Drives: For even faster performance, consider NVMe SSDs for better data transfer speeds, especially useful for loading heavy scene files.

Balanced System

• Avoid Bottlenecks: Ensure that your CPU, GPU, and RAM are balanced to prevent bottlenecks. For example, pairing a high-end GPU with an outdated CPU can limit performance.

Software tricks

Upgrade Your GPU

• Invest in a Powerful GPU: High-performance GPUs are crucial for rendering, especially for GPU-accelerated rendering engines. Brands like NVIDIA (RTX series) or AMD (Radeon series) are popular for rendering tasks.
• Use Multiple GPUs: If your rendering software supports it, consider using multiple GPUs to distribute the rendering load and significantly reduce render times.

Choose the Right Rendering Engine

• Select Appropriate Rendering Engines: Different rendering engines (like V-Ray, Arnold, Redshift, Octane, etc.) have unique strengths. Choose one that suits your project needs for faster and better-quality rendering.

Optimize Render Settings

• Use Adaptive Sampling: If your software supports it, use adaptive sampling settings to focus on image parts requiring more detail while reducing samples in less critical areas.
• Render in Passes: Render your scene in passes (beauty, shadows, reflections, etc.) to gain more control in post-processing software.

Use Instances:

• Instance Geometry: Instead of duplicating heavy models, use instances for repetitive elements in your scene (like trees, chairs, etc.) to save memory and speed up rendering.

The key technique is to ensure that your rendering is using your computer’s full capabilities. Your computer has two processors: a graphics processing unit(GPU) and a central processing unit(CPU). The majority of software will choose to use your CPU by default, although that is drastically less efficient. Your GPU has a lot more power for rendering, you see. In addition to having much greater rendering power, the GPU should be your choice.

GPU Tricks

Use GPU-Accelerated Rendering

• Select Compatible Rendering Engines: Choose rendering engines that support GPU acceleration (e.g., Redshift, Octane, V-Ray GPU). This takes advantage of the parallel processing capabilities of GPUs, significantly speeding up render times.

Optimize GPU Settings

• Adjust Memory Settings: Use the card’s memory as effectively as possible by managing texture sizes and scene complexity. Monitor VRAM usage and make adjustments accordingly.
• Enable Multi-GPU Rendering: If you have multiple GPUs, enable multi-GPU rendering in your software settings to distribute the rendering workload.

CPU Tricks

Leverage Multi-Core Processing

• Choose Multi-Core Rendering Engines: Use rendering software that can effectively utilize multiple CPU cores. Software like Arnold and V-Ray operates well with multiple cores for faster rendering.
• Enable Threading: In the render settings, make sure that multi-threading or CPU threading options are enabled to maximize usage of available cores.

Optimize Render Settings for CPU

• Use Bucket Rendering: Enable bucket rendering (as opposed to progressive rendering) in CPU-based renderers to optimize memory usage during rendering tasks.
• Adjust Sampling Settings: Increase smart sampling settings to reduce noise without taxing the CPU too heavily, which can lead to longer render times.

By applying these CPU and GPU tricks, you can greatly enhance your render results in terms of both quality and speed. The key is to understand the strengths of each processing unit and optimize your rendering pipeline accordingly.

Rendering is mostly about presenting something in a real environment. Lighting and texturing are essential pieces of a good rendered model. Combining the simulated sunlight and simulated alternative lighting sources, alongside different angles, is going to give us a better interpretation of a product.

Lighting Techniques

• Use Global Illumination (GI): Enable global illumination to achieve more realistic lighting by simulating the way light bounces off surfaces.

• HDRI Lighting: Use high dynamic range images for realistic sky and environment lighting. This method can greatly enhance mood and realism.
• Three-Point Lighting: For character renders, utilize a three-point lighting setup (key light, fill light, and back light) to create depth and interest.

Texture Optimization

• Texture Resolution: Ensure that you’re using high-resolution textures where necessary, especially for close-up renders. Avoid stretching textures on objects.
• Normal and Bump Maps: Use normal maps or bump maps to add detail without increasing polygon count.

Optimizing your render settings is crucial for improving the quality and efficiency of your renders. Here are some effective render settings tricks that can help enhance your results while managing render times:

Adjust Sampling Settings

• Increase Samples: Use a higher number of samples for both camera and light sampling, especially in scenes with complex lighting and materials. For final renders, consider using 100-200 samples, balancing quality and render time.
• Adaptive Sampling: Enable adaptive sampling if your renderer supports it. This technique increases samples in areas requiring more detail while reducing them in less critical areas, effectively managing render time.

Denoising Techniques

• Use Denoisers: Implement built-in denoising tools like NVIDIA’s OptiX or software-specific denoisers to clean up unwanted noise in your images. This allows you to use lower sample rates while still achieving a clean result.

Use Bucket Rendering

• Select Bucket Rendering: In CPU-based rendering engines, enable bucket rendering to process the image in smaller sections. This can make rendering more efficient and allow you to preview results more quickly.

Post-processing effects can significantly enhance the visual quality of your renderings, providing depth, vibrancy, and a polished finish.

Color Grading

• Use Color Grading Software: Tools like DaVinci Resolve or Adobe After Effects can help you achieve cinematic looks. Adjust midtones, shadows, and highlights to create a cohesive mood.
• LUTs (Lookup Tables): Apply LUTs to quickly achieve desired color schemes and styles. You can find many free and paid LUTs online that can be tailored to your specific needs.

High Dynamic Range (HDR) Imaging

• Tone Mapping: If your render is HDR, use tone mapping techniques to compress the dynamic range for better viewing on standard displays. This helps retain details in highlights and shadows.
• Exposure Adjustments: Fine-tune the exposure to balance bright areas and enhance overall contrast.

Depth of Field (DOF)

• Add DOF in Post-Processing: If your software allows it, simulate depth of field in post, focusing on key subjects while softly blurring the background. This draws attention to the focal points of your scene.
• Control Focal Point: Make sure the depth of field complements your composition and storytelling, helping the viewer’s eye move through the image naturally.

The choice of software and the techniques you employ can profoundly impact the quality and efficiency of your work. By leveraging the five rendering software tricks outlined—optimizing render settings, utilizing efficient lighting techniques, making the most of materials and shaders, implementing render layers and passes, and utilizing powerful post-processing capabilities—you can significantly enhance both the aesthetic and technical aspects of your final renders.

iRender – the best cloud rendering service, provides high-configuration servers that increase CPU and GPU rendering speeds. We provide the most powerful RTX 4090 configuration packages on the market, all equipped with AMD RyzenTM ThreadripperTM PRO 3955WX @ 3.9 – 4.2GHz and AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO 5975WX @ 3.6 – 4.5GHz processors, 256GB RAM and 2T NVMe SSD hard drive capacity. You can see our powerful configuration:

You just need to transfer your files, connect to the remote machine, and install your software, as well as the necessary render engine and plugins then add your license and render yourself. Setting up ONCE and your working environment will be saved and ready to use at any time. Specially, if you are a Blender or Cinema 4D and Redshift users, it would be perfect.

Blender projects

Currently, our machine has preinstalled Blender 4.3.2, you can create a machine easily then connect to it and render normally. You can refer our most powerful’s performance video when rendering on Blender scene following:

Cinema 4D and Redshift projects

Our machine has also preinstalled Cinema 4d and Redshift preinstalled, you can save your time for installation. Moreover, as Maxon’s partner, we provide one combo Cinema 4D and Redshift license free. Following is our test video when rendering with Cinema 4D and Redshift scene, you can see:

Currently, we are running a SPECIAL OFFER: 100% Additional Bonus for new clients who register an account and make a top-up within 24 hours after their registration. For educational projects, we offer 50% bonus for all transactions.

Futhermore, our price is flexible with hourly rental which has pay-as-you-go basis, daily/ weekly/ monthly subscription with discount from 10-20%.

In case you have any problems or questions, don’t hesitate to contact the 24/7 support team. We will be happy to help you with your questions and problems at all times.

Register for an account today to experience our service, or contact us via email at hanght@irender.vn or WhatsApp at (+84) 912075500 for advice and support.

iRender-Happy Rendering!

In 3D character modeling, the fusion of traditional folklore with cutting-edge technology often yields captivating results. A prime example is the recent creation of a Japanese-style Oni demon by character artist Timothe Fontaine, renowned for his contributions to the horror game “Dead by Daylight.” Drawing inspiration from Japanese mythology, Fontaine’s Oni demon is a testament to the power of modern 3D modeling tools and the timeless allure of cultural legends. In this blog post, let’s explore with iRender.

The Oni demon, a staple of Japanese folklore, is typically depicted as a fearsome creature with sharp claws, wild hair, and a menacing visage. Fontaine’s rendition stays true to these traditional elements while incorporating his unique artistic vision. To bring the demon to life, he utilized a suite of industry-standard software:

• ZBrush: For intricate sculpting and detailing, allowing for the creation of the demon’s complex anatomy and textured skin.
• Substance 3D Painter: To apply realistic textures and materials, giving the demon’s skin, armor, and accessories a lifelike appearance.
• Maya: Employed for rigging and posing, ensuring the model’s movements are both natural and suitably intimidating.
• Arnold: Used as the rendering engine to produce high-quality images that showcase the demon in various lighting scenarios.
• XGen: For generating detailed hair and fur, adding to the creature’s wild and untamed look.
  

One of the more challenging aspects of the project was the creation of the demon’s hair using XGen. Fontaine documented his process in a detailed guide titled “60 Crashes Later – Learning XGen the Hard Way,” highlighting both the challenges faced and the solutions discovered during the hair creation process. This guide serves as a valuable resource for other artists navigating similar challenges.

Beyond the technical execution, Fontaine enriched his creation with a backstory, deepening the connection between the viewer and the character:

“The Nameless Oni was once a powerful demon, born of the shadows and bound by the will of the gods. His third arm, a grotesque and unnatural gift, marked him as different from his kin. Feared and shunned by other oni, he was cast into isolation, his twisted form a symbol of his disgrace. Consumed by his anger and frustration, he turned his wrath on his kind, slaughtering those who had mocked him. Now, the land lies silent, the last of the oni extinguished, and the Nameless Oni roams alone, a forgotten demon, cursed to bear the weight of his rage and the burden of his solitude.”

This narrative not only adds depth to the visual representation but also invites viewers to ponder the demon’s past and motivations.

Fontaine’s work exemplifies how blending traditional cultural elements with modern technology can result in compelling art that resonates with contemporary audiences while honoring historical mythologies.

Timothe Fontaine’s Japanese-style Oni demon is a stunning example of how modern 3D tools can bring ancient mythology to life. By combining ZBrush, Substance 3D Painter, Maya, Arnold, and XGen, he meticulously crafted a creature that stays true to traditional Oni depictions while adding his own unique artistic flair.

Beyond the technical execution, the demon’s backstory adds depth, making it more than just a digital sculpture—it becomes a character with history, emotion, and presence. Fontaine’s work showcases the power of storytelling through digital art, proving that technology and folklore can seamlessly merge to create something truly captivating.

This project serves as an inspiration for 3D artists, demonstrating that with the right tools, patience, and creativity, it’s possible to transform imagination into reality.

iRender is proud to be one of the best GPU service providers on the market. We provide you with high-configuration models with advanced specifications such as AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO 3955WX @ 3.9 – 4.2GHz or AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO 5975WX @ 3.6 – 4, 5GHz, 256GB RAM, 2TB NVMe SSD storage. Most importantly, we always update to the latest GPU technology, with 1/2/4/6/8 x RTX3090/RTX4090.

Under the IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) model you will have full control over the machine via a remote desktop app, similar to Teamviewer but more stable. You will be able to proactively install the software and use it on the server just like using a personal computer. You can find many server packages with high-end configurations that are extremely suitable for complex projects.

Below is information about iRender’s service packages:

We’re always happy to help you with any questions. If you have any problems or questions, don’t hesitate to contact our 24/7 support team. Or via Whatsapp: 0912 785 500 for free advice and support.

Right now iRender has a SPECIAL PROMOTION program with a 100% bonus for the first transaction within 24 hours of your registration. It means that you can get an extra 100% of the money you recharged the first time. And points never expire, so you can use them at any time.

As we welcome the arrival of spring, iRender is excited to bring you special promotions and offers to help you bloom this season! 🌷

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Don’t miss this opportunity to transform your ideas into stunning renderings. Let’s Spring Forward together! 🌼
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Sign up for an account today to experience and enjoy our services.

Thank you & Happy Rendering!

Source and image: 80.lv

Godot 4.4 brings a host of new features designed to enhance the workflow and creativity of CG artists. Whether you’re working on game environments, animations, or interactive visuals, these updates make Godot an even more powerful tool. Let’s look at the top five features that make this release stand out. 

Let’s explore new updates in this latest version with iRender!

One of the most notable improvements in Godot 4.4 is the ability to run and interact with your game directly within the editor. 

This design choice previously prevented embedding the game window into the editor. This is something that users with limited screen space, like on single-monitor setups or laptops, are looking for.

Thanks to some window management tricks, it is now possible to embed the game seamlessly and interact with the rest of the editor, while still keeping the processes separate in the background.

Note that this only works on Linux, Windows, and Android for now. Support for macOS will require a different approach for technical reasons. 

There are also many other nice quality-of-life updates to the Editor, including the option to snap 3D objects to one another while placing them in a level, to preview camera views directly in the Inspector, and a built-in material preview in the visual shader editor.

The updates to LightmapGI improve the quality and performance of rendered shadows, making scenes look more realistic and visually appealing.

The change makes it possible to use static shadows at a distance from the view camera, but dynamic shadows up close, improving performance without sacrificing realism.

LightmapGI also now supports bicubic sampling, resulting in smoother-looking baked shadows at a small performance cost, and supports baking tinted shadows from transparent objects.

This new tone-mapping option provides a cinematic, movie-like look to rendered images, enhancing the overall visual quality.

The Godot implementation resembles theirs closely but is purposely simplified to be more suitable for real-time use cases.

AgX gives a movie-esque quality to renders and can handle very bright scenes better than other available options.

The Jolt physics engine is now integrated directly into Godot, removing the need for an external extension. This streamlines the workflow and provides robust physics simulation capabilities.

While still in an experimental phase, Jolt promises more robust and efficient physics simulations, paving the way for even more realistic interactions in future updates. 

However, the Jolt extension is now in maintenance mode and will be deprecated once the native Jolt physics system reaches feature parity.

For animators, Godot 4.4 introduces several key features to improve character motion and dynamic effects:

• • • LookAtModifier3D: A new constraint system that simplifies look-at mechanics.
    • VRMSpringBone Integration: Provides more natural jiggle physics for hair, clothing, and other soft-body elements.
    • Animation Markers: Artists can now define subregions within animations to enable seamless looping or jumping between segments, offering greater flexibility and control.

iRender provides high-configuration servers that increase CPU and GPU rendering speeds. We offer the most powerful RTX 4090 configuration packages on the market, all equipped with AMD RyzenTM ThreadripperTM PRO 3955WX @ 3.9 – 4.2GHz and AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO 5975WX @ 3.6 – 4.5GHz processors, 256GB RAM and 2T NVMe SSD hard drive capacity. With a wide range of GPU servers (1/2/4/6/8x) – RTX 4090, you can choose the server that suits your needs to start the rendering process. Whether you’re creating stunning visuals, optimizing physics simulations, or handling heavy AI computations, iRender offers a seamless and scalable solution to boost your Godot development workflow.

Why choose iRender? 

• • • Full Control: Our service will give you full control over your rented servers. Therefore, you are free to create your working environment. 
    • Go Green: We are committed to using 100% solar renewable energy towards environmental sustainability. 
    • Real-human 24/7 Support: Our professional support agents and technicians guarantee to bring you the best rendering experience.

Let’s watch the video below to understand our workflow more easily. 

For Windows:

For MacOS:

Currently, iRender offers a special promotion for new users, a 100% bonus program for the first deposit within 24 hours of registration, making it an attractive option for those looking to optimize their rendering budget.

For more detailed information, please contact us via Live chat 24/7 or WhatsApp: +(84)915875500 or Email: vyvtk@irender.vn

iRender – Happy rendering!

References & image sources:  godotengine.org & cgchannel.com

The complexity of the VFX pipeline is determined by the scale of the project. Now, let’s take a look at the standard workflow of VFX production.

The initial major phase in the VFX pipeline is VFX pre-production. This stage involves various preparations for the project, such as developing concepts, selecting software, tools, presets, and creating preliminary assets.

The first step in the VFX pipeline is determining the preferred software and techniques for the film. For projects with extensive VFX requirements, external expertise from scientists, engineers, or mathematicians may be necessary. In fact, this stage is not limited to the beginning of the VFX pipeline but continues to evolve throughout the filmmaking process.

At this stage, concept artists transform abstract ideas from the previous step into tangible visuals. They create designs for characters, environments, and key moments, helping to establish the tone of the storyline. These visuals serve as the foundation for the next stages of the process.

Pre-Visualization (Pre-Vis) is the stage where 3D modeling artists convert the previously created 2D artwork into low-poly 3D models, including characters, wireframes, and scene representations. At the same time, camera angles, shooting locations, and scene composition are carefully planned.

Around the midpoint of the VFX pipeline, several key processes take place, including the start of animation, FX creation, and the beginning of lighting and rendering.

3D modeling is carried out across all three stages of production and is one of the most demanding and effortful parts of the VFX pipeline. 3D artists transform concept art into digital assets, creating a wide range of models, including props, environments, buildings, weapons, vehicles, and any other objects required by the director. This process often relies heavily on reference photos captured during production.

While characters and objects are created using 3D modeling software, backgrounds that don’t exist in real life or aren’t part of the filmed shots are generated through matte painting. This is one of the oldest techniques in the VFX pipeline, traditionally done with photographs and painted glass panels. Today, digital technology has revolutionized the process, utilizing LED panels, game engines for full 3D virtual sets, or chroma keying with green or blue screens to create realistic visual backgrounds.

Rigging artists function like puppet makers, setting up the framework, while animators act as puppeteers, bringing characters to life. In the VFX pipeline, rigging artists construct a digital skeleton or a system of controls around the model that animators use to create movement. To achieve realistic motion, they may calculate skin weights, integrate digital muscles, and refine skeletal structures within 3D characters. This process often involves reference photographs.

FX and Simulation involve creating visual elements such as explosions, fire, smoke, destruction, and particle simulations which will be added to a 3D scene to enhance realism and create impactful imagery. The FX team collaborates closely with animators to ensure these elements move naturally and integrate seamlessly into the scene.

Motion tracking captures an object’s position, orientation, scale, and movement within a shot using virtual cameras in motion tracking software. This data is essential for seamlessly integrating CGI elements into live-action footage, ensuring they align naturally within the scene during the compositing stage.

Texturing is the process of applying surface details to 3D models to enhance realism. It involves adding visual attributes such as colors, patterns, and material properties. These textures can range from reptilian scales and metallic reflections to water ripples and scratches on a surface, making digital assets appear more lifelike.

In this stage, VFX artists manually outline objects or characters to separate them from the original footage. These cutout elements can then be placed in a different background or context. While chroma keying (filming subjects against a green or blue screen) can often replace the need for rotoscoping, it is still frequently required to achieve precise cutouts for seamless integration.

Lighting plays a crucial role in making CGI scenes appear realistic. Poor lighting can make digital elements look artificial, breaking immersion. Virtual lights in the software are strategically positioned to mimic real-world lighting conditions. Once the lighting setup is finalized, the entire scene is sent to compositing for final adjustments.

VFX post-production primarily focuses on finalizing the composition of all elements, refining shots, and ensuring proper color grading, timing, and sequencing for a cohesive final product.

Compositing is a crucial stage in the VFX pipeline where all visual elements are seamlessly integrated with real-life footage to create the final shot or scene. The team combines live-action footage, CGI, VFX plates, and matte paintings, layering them to achieve a cohesive and realistic result. For instance, CGI characters may be placed into a live-action scene, or an explosion effect might be added to a building.

Grading artists adjust color balance, contrast, brightness, and saturation to enhance the visual style and narrative impact of the film. In this final stage of the VFX pipeline, the overall tone is refined, ensuring a consistent aesthetic and emotional depth across all scenes before the final output is delivered.

iRender render farm supports all software, including the most popular ones in the VFX pipeline, such as V-Ray and Arnold. 

We provide high configurations of machines with upmarket specifications like AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO 3955WX @ 3.9 – 4.2GHz or AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO 5975WX @ 3.6 – 4.5GHz, 1/2/4/6/8 x RTX4090 or RTX3090,  RAM 256GB, Storage NVMe SSD 2TB. 

Why can iRender be a great render farm for you?

In addition to high-configuration servers, iRender provides many other utilities to provide the best user experience.

• Dedicated server for individuals: You have full control and access to the server you rent. The working environment (installed apps, files) will be stored for the next use.
• Easy and free file transfer between your computer and iRender’s server: The transferring task can be done via iRender GPU application for Windows and the iRender Drive application for MacOS.
• 24/7 assistance: iRender’s attentive agents are always ready to support all your queries.
• All software compatibility: iRender’s PCs are built to meet the configuration needs of all 3D software and rendering tools at a variety of cost levels for users to choose from.

Let’s see how our service works!

New users will get a 100% bonus for the first transaction within 24 hours of their registration. No minimum amount!! If you top up $50, you will get 100 points in total to hire our machines.

REGISTER NOW

If you have any questions, please contact me through email duongdt@irender.vn or our 24/7 support team for a quick response.

Thank you for reading & Happy Rendering!

source: academyofanimatedart, MASV, vfxaddart, Marcus Dempwolf Holm, therookies

Welcome to our blog, where we explore the fascinating world of digital graphics and the technologies that bring virtual creations to life. In this post, we will delve into the concept of Physically Based Rendering (PBR), a technique that has revolutionized the digital graphics industry. 

As we navigate through the intricacies of PBR, we will uncover its significance and how it has become a cornerstone in the creation of realistic and visually stunning digital content. Join us as we embark on this journey to understand the impact of PBR in today’s digital graphics landscape, and discover why it is a game-changer for artists and developers alike.

Physically Based Rendering (PBR) is a set of methods to make 3D objects rendered from computers more realistic. It employs algorithms based on physically accurate formulas to replicate real-world materials, resulting in cohesive and photorealistic environments. Thanks to PBR, today we can see that the effects in games look no different from reality.  

Physically based shading is paramount in PBR, as it encompasses simulating light interaction with surfaces to achieve realistic material rendering. By utilizing various shaders, including vertex and fragment shaders, PBR aims to accurately replicate the intricate behavior of the light ray and the surfaces around it, thus enhancing the visual fidelity and authenticity of rendered materials. 

These shaders play a crucial role in calculating the reflection, refraction, and absorption of different wavelengths of incoming light, including reflected light. This contributes to the immersive and lifelike portrayal of materials within PBR-rendered scenes.

When light hits a surface boundary some of it will reflect – that is, bounce off – from the surface and leave heading in a direction on the opposing side of the surface normal. This behavior is very similar to a ball thrown against the ground or a wall – it will bounce off at the opposite angle.

One of PBR key components is reflection, which characterizes how materials reflect light sources. It governs the reflective surface behavior, dictating how light interacts with materials to produce realistic highlights, specular reflections, and refracted light, adding depth and authenticity to rendered visuals.

In specular reflection, when light hits really smooth surfaces, we can easily understand how it behaves using two models: physical optics and geometric optics. These surfaces reflect and transmit light perfectly, meaning all the light goes in one direction. When light reflects off these surfaces, it bounces off in a way that the angle it makes with the surface is the same as the angle it came in.

In some cases diffusion is more complicated – in materials that have wider scattering distances for example, like skin or wax. In these cases a simple color will usually not do, and the shading system must take into account the shape and thickness of the object being lit. If they are thin enough, such objects often see light scattering out the back side and can then be called translucent. 

If the diffusion is even lower yet (in for example, glass) then almost no scattering is evident at all and entire images can pass through an object from one side to another intact. These behaviors are different enough from the typical “close to the surface” diffusion that unique shaders are usually needed to simulate them.

Maintaining energy conservation is a crucial component of physically-based shading. It enables artists to manipulate reflectivity and albedo values for materials without unintentionally defying physical laws, which usually results in unappealing visuals. Although it’s not strictly essential to enforce these constraints in code to create visually pleasing art, but it ensures artwork remains consistent and doesn’t overly stretch the rules under varying lighting conditions.

Electrically conductive materials, especially metals, deserve special mention for several reasons. 

Firstly, they are significantly more reflective than insulators, with reflectivities of 60-90%, giving metals their characteristic shiny appearance. Insulators, on the other hand, typically have reflectivities in the range of 0-20%. 

Secondly, the reflectivity of conductors can vary across the visible spectrum, causing their reflections to appear tinted. This phenomenon, though rare, can be observed in materials like gold, copper, and brass. Insulators generally do not exhibit this effect, and their reflections remain uncolored. 

Lastly, electrical conductors tend to absorb rather than scatter light that penetrates their surface, resulting in minimal diffuse light. However, surface oxides or residues on metals can scatter small amounts of light. This unique behavior of metals has led some rendering systems to adopt “metalness” as a direct input, allowing artists to specify the degree to which a material behaves like a metal, simplifying the creation of realistic materials.

The Fresnel effect, named after French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel, describes how light reflects off surfaces at varying angles. When light strikes a surface at a shallow angle (grazing angle), more light is reflected, making the surface appear shinier. Conversely, when light hits a surface at a steeper angle (closer to perpendicular), less light is reflected, resulting in a duller appearance. 

This phenomenon is particularly significant in fields such as optics, computer graphics, and photography, as it helps create realistic renderings of materials like water, glass, and metal. By understanding and applying the Fresnel effect, artists and scientists can achieve a more accurate representation of how light interacts with different surfaces.

• Physically based rendering (PBR) presents a host of benefits, including generated photorealistic images, intricate textures, and realistic lighting, elevating the quality and visual fidelity of rendered scenes.

• PBR enables the creation of visuals that closely resemble their real-life counterparts, contributing to a heightened level of immersion and authenticity. The utilization of visible light rays and surface normal in PBR contributes to the accurate simulation of real-world lighting effects.
• PBR facilitates a sustainable workflow, fostering the consistent creation of artwork while streamlining production processes, ultimately reducing production time and enhancing efficiency. 
• This includes the accurate simulation of final light reflected and scattered on various surfaces, such as smooth and rough surfaces that interact with diffuse light realistically.

Physically Based Rendering (PBR) has significantly influenced various sectors, including architectural visualization, video games, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), film and animation, as well as product design and advertising. 

• Architectural visualization: PBR plays a crucial role in creating realistic visualizations of architectural designs and environments.
• Video games: PBR techniques are widely used in the gaming industry to achieve realistic and immersive visuals.
• Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR): PBR contributes to the realism of visual experiences in VR and AR applications.
• Film and animation: In the film and animation industry, PBR is employed to produce highly realistic special effects and computer-generated imagery (CGI). It allows for seamless integration of CGI with live-action footage, making fantastical scenes appear believable. 
• Product design and advertising: PBR is utilized to create realistic product visualizations and compelling advertising materials.

In physically based rendering (PBR), achieving photo-realistic images demands immense computational power and advanced graphics hardware. Enter iRender, a cutting-edge cloud rendering platform that empowers artists and designers by providing access to high-performance GPU servers. With iRender, users can harness the power of top-tier NVIDIA GPUs, enabling them to render complex scenes with unparalleled speed and precision. This seamless integration of PBR with iRender’s robust infrastructure not only accelerates the rendering process but also ensures that every intricate detail is captured with stunning realism.

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Reference: chaos.com, marmoset.co

Visual effects are the result of an artist’s creativity with advanced technical skills to turn imaginary images into reality. Curious about the most popular VFX software of 2025? Keep scrolling!

Here are some common software programs used in VFX studios. Keep in mind that each studio integrates these tools into its own workflow and may also develop proprietary software. Additionally, as technology evolves, software continues to change, so continuous learning and adaptability are essential.

Maya is a 3D software widely used by artists, modelers, and animators in the film, television, and gaming industries. While some users find it challenging to learn, it encompasses various aspects of the VFX pipeline, including dynamic simulations, texturing, and animation. As the industry standard for animation and a leading tool in shading, Maya is present in nearly every VFX studio, and at least one major VFX-heavy film has utilized it. The software has earned multiple Academy Awards, including one for Scientific and Technical Achievement in 2003 and another for Technical Achievement in 2008.

Nuke is a professional-grade software recognized as an industry standard for digital compositing and visual effects in film and television post-production. Known for its powerful node-based workflow, it enables artists to create intricate visual effects. Major studios such as Walt Disney Animation Studios and DreamWorks Animation have incorporated Nuke into their production pipelines.

Modo is a professional 3D software developed by The Foundry, used in the film, gaming, and design industries for modeling, animation, texturing, and rendering. It provides a comprehensive toolset for sculpting, lighting, and rendering, enabling users to design, model, animate, and render within a single environment. With support for multiple file formats, Modo seamlessly integrates into various production pipelines.

Mudbox is a 3D digital sculpting and painting software developed by Autodesk, widely used in film, game development, and visual effects. Known for its intuitive interface and layer-based workflow, it allows artists to add fine details and textures to their models with ease. Originally developed as an internal tool at Weta Digital, Mudbox later became a commercial product and is now maintained by Autodesk.

Adobe After Effects is a powerful software primarily used for motion graphics, compositing, and animation. It is commonly utilized in commercial production and integrates seamlessly with Adobe Premiere Pro for video editing, as well as collaboration tools like Frame.io.

Houdini is a 3D animation software widely used in various aspects of visual effects (VFX), including simulation, lighting, modeling, animation, shading, and texturing. Known for its advanced procedural workflow, it excels in creating complex simulations such as smoke, fire, water, destruction, and intricate particle effects. In 2018, Houdini contributed to SideFX winning the Academy Award of Merit. With over two decades of continuous innovation, it has become the industry standard for generating realistic natural phenomena, destruction effects, and other digital simulations in VFX.

ZBrush is a professional 3D sculpting software that enables artists to create highly detailed models with intricate shapes and textures. Recognized as an industry standard for digital sculpting, it is known for its advanced brush system and real-time sculpting capabilities. In 2014, Pixologic co-founder Ofer ‘Pixolotor’ Alon received an Academy award for his contributions to ZBrush. The software is widely used in VFX-heavy films, playing a crucial role in productions such as Avatar, The Avengers, The Lord of the Rings, and The Hobbit.

3ds Max is a professional 3D graphics software used for creating detailed models, animations, and visual content. Commonly utilized in video game development and film production, it is widely used in VFX for modeling and shading, as well as texturing, rigging, animation, lighting, and simulation. It is a staple in nearly every VFX studio.

Cinema 4D, developed by Maxon, is a professional 3D software for animation, modeling, simulation, and rendering. While it is primarily used in motion graphics for commercials, it is gaining popularity in traditional VFX. Within the effects pipeline, it serves various functions, including modeling, texturing, rigging, animation, shading, lighting, and simulation.

3DEqualizer is one of the most widely used 3D tracking software solutions for integrating live-action footage with digital effects. Since its introduction in 1997, it has become a key tool for matchmoving in the visual effects industry. Its technological advancements earned it a Technical Achievement Award in 2001.

Mocha Pro is a high-end visual effects software best known for its advanced planar tracking capabilities. Widely regarded as a leading tool for motion tracking and rotoscoping, it has played a significant role in VFX production. Mocha Pro’s contributions to the film industry earned it an Academy Award for technical achievement.

Photoshop is an image editing, graphic design, and digital painting software developed by Adobe. In the VFX industry, it is commonly used for texturing, matte painting, compositing, digital painting, and concept art.

Substance Painter is a 3D painting software designed for texturing and creating realistic materials on 3D models. With real-time painting capabilities and a focus on physically based rendering (PBR) workflows, it is widely used by game developers, animation studios, and VFX artists to enhance their digital assets.

⚙️ Matchmoving
For tracking camera movement, the three main tools are 3D Equalizer, SynthEyes, and PFTrack, with 3D Equalizer being the most widely used and powerful option.

⚙️ Modeling
The most commonly used software for 3D modeling includes Maya, 3ds Max, ZBrush, Mudbox, and Modo. Maya is the most widely adopted, while ZBrush is the industry standard for 3D sculpting, particularly in character creation.

⚙️ Texturing
The most widely used software for texturing includes Foundry Mari, Substance Painter, and Adobe Photoshop.

⚙️ Shading
For shading, Maya and 3ds Max are the most commonly used, featuring a node-based shading system for efficient material creation.

⚙️ Animation
Autodesk Maya has become the industry standard for animation. First released in 1998, its dominance in the film industry grew significantly after its development was used in Disney’s Dinosaur (2000).

⚙️ FX
High-quality visual effects such as smoke, fire, water, explosions, and other dynamic elements are primarily created using Houdini and Maya. Houdini, in particular, is the industry standard for procedural simulations.

⚙️ Rotoscoping
For integrating traced elements with live-action footage, Silhouette and Mocha Pro are considered industry-standard rotoscope software.

⚙️ Compositing
The leading compositing software used in VFX studios is Foundry Nuke. Natron, an open-source alternative, allows artists to familiarize themselves with a portion of Nuke’s tools before investing in the full application. Another option is Blackmagic Design Fusion. While Nuke is the top choice for film compositing, After Effects remains popular in the commercial sector.

⚙️ Rendering
For the final stage of visual effects production, studios commonly use Arnold, V-Ray, and RenderMan to achieve the most realistic results.

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Image source: the Rookies, Autodesk, Foundry, tech radar, SideFX, softonic, 3DVF, architosh, borisfx, adobe, fxphd, studiodaily
Information source: MASV, fxguide, studiobinder, Quora, VFX Geek

We all know that caustics appear frequently in nature but rarely appear in rendering. Why is that? This effect is very complex and takes a lot of time and effort to render, so artists often ignore or fake it. However, it still plays an indispensable role in our lives and also makes your renders more realistic and stunning. In this article, let’s learn about caustics and how they are rendered. 

Caustics are one of the most beautiful light phenomena that nature has to offer. Caustics are the light patterns created when light rays are focused through reflection or refraction from a curved surface. Imagine the bright patches of light you see on the floor when sunlight passes through a glass of water,  the shimmering light at the bottom of a swimming pool, or even beams of light from a window onto a dusty environment – that’s a caustic effect.

This method simulates the journey of photons (light particles) through a scene. Emitted from light sources, photons bounce around and interact with surfaces. When they encounter reflective or refractive surfaces, they concentrate into caustic patterns that can be rendered in the final image.

Path tracing simulates the behavior of light by tracing the paths of individual rays as they interact with surfaces in a scene. When these rays encounter reflective or refractive surfaces, they can produce caustic patterns. By accurately modeling the way light bounces and bends, path tracing can create highly realistic caustic effects, along with other complex lighting phenomena like global illumination and soft shadows.

Ray tracing excels at simulating the way light interacts with reflective and refractive surfaces, creating realistic caustic effects. By tracing the paths of light rays, it can accurately depict how light bends and bounces, it generates those beautiful patterns you see in caustics. Whether you’re working on a still image or a real-time application, ray tracing is a powerful tool to achieve realistic lighting and caustic effects.

• • • Complexity of light interactions 

Rendering caustics involves tracking numerous light rays as they reflect, refract, and scatter in a scene. Each light ray must be followed as it interacts with various surfaces, creating the bright and shadowed areas characteristic of caustics. Unlike standard diffuse or specular reflections, which are more predictable, caustic effects depend heavily on the specific geometry and material properties of the objects involved.

For example, when light strikes a curved glass surface, it refracts in multiple directions, creating a focal pattern specific to the curvature, thickness, and refractive index of the material. Capturing this complexity requires advanced rendering techniques such as photon mapping or path tracing, which simulate thousands or even millions of light paths, significantly increasing the computational load.

• • • Numerous samples for reducing noise 

Another challenge is noise. Due to the stochastic nature of light simulation in ray tracing, caustics can often appear grainy or noisy if insufficient samples are used. High sample counts are necessary to reduce this noise and achieve a smooth caustic effect. However, increasing the number of samples exponentially increases the rendering time.

For instance, resolving a simple caustic effect might require hundreds of samples per pixel. In complex scenes with multiple light sources and refractive objects, the number of required samples can skyrocket, leading to extremely long render times, even on high-end hardware.

• • • Computational Intensity and Resource Demands 

Because of the need for high sample counts and intricate light path calculations, rendering caustics is highly resource-intensive. This poses a significant challenge for individual artists or studios with limited computing power. High-resolution renders with complex caustic effects can take hours or even days to complete on a single machine, especially when using physically accurate rendering techniques like path tracing.

The computational demands are even more significant in animation, where caustic effects must be rendered consistently across hundreds or thousands of frames. Maintaining the same level of detail and reducing noise across all these frames can be overwhelming for typical desktop setups.

• • • Efficient Distributed Rendering 

Render farms offer a solution to the high computational demands of rendering caustics by using a network of high-performance computers to distribute the workload. This parallel processing significantly reduces render times, making complex caustic effects feasible. They enable efficient rendering by breaking down scenes into smaller tasks processed simultaneously, which is crucial for tight deadlines and creative iterations.

• • • Access to High-End Resources 

Render farms provide access to high-end resources like cutting-edge GPUs, CPUs, and vast amounts of RAM, essential for handling large datasets and complex calculations. They also offer tailored services to optimize the rendering process, ensuring high-quality and timely output.

• • • Cost-Effective Solutions

Cost-effectively, render farms allow artists to “rent” processing power on a per-project basis, avoiding significant hardware investments. They integrate seamlessly with popular 3D software, making it accessible for artists of all levels to create stunning caustic effects without being limited by their hardware.

• • • Creative Focus 

By using a render farm, artists can spend more time focusing on creative decisions rather than waiting for long render times. This allows for more iterations and refinements, leading to better final results. The efficiency gained through render farms enables artists to perfect their caustic effects and overall scene quality.

Using iRender for caustics rendering offers several benefits. First and foremost, iRender provides high performance with powerful rendering capabilities. It is optimized for caustics, ensuring high-quality and realistic results. This level of performance is essential for achieving well-defined caustic patterns in your renderings. You can see our packages and their configurations here.

iRender’s cloud-based infrastructure allows for scalable rendering solutions, making it suitable for both individual projects and large-scale productions. Additionally, iRender offers ease of use. Its user-friendly interfaces and tools simplify the rendering process, allowing artists to focus on their creativity rather than technical details. Also, by leveraging cloud resources, iRender can reduce the need for expensive hardware investments. This makes high-quality rendering more accessible and affordable for artists and studios.

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Reference: chaos.com