1.24.3.1 Softimage Material Shaders

 

1.24.3.1 Softimage Material Shaders

 

The Softimage material shader can be used with caustics (even though it is not physically correct). This allows the user to have a creative attitude towards realism. The Softimage material shader computes two types of reflection: specular and Lambertian diffuse.

 

The specular reflection of a light source is modeled by Phong?s reflection model, while specular reflection of light from other parts of the environment is modeled by mirror reflection. For the Softimage material, the photon material shader is called soft material photon.

 

Each material declaration in the scene has to have a photon "soft material photon" () statement. It is possible to use other photon material shaders with soft material, but this is not recommended as their parameters may be different or have different meanings.

 

Using these Softimage material shaders makes it possible to design a scene without caustics, and then add the caustics as the ?final touch? without the whole image changing drastically and without having to redesign all materials in the scene.