[Bf-committers] Render Panel Proprosal (Variable OSA, Render Sizes)

[Ton Roosendaal]

Hi,

> PART  ONE: VARIABLE OSA SLIDER

The current presets (5, 8, 11, 16) are based on the most optimal  
sampling pattern which the jitter() algorithm generates. Other values  
still give some unwanted visible patterns, so didn't provide real  
satisfying results. However, it was implemented before motion blur was  
added. Back then, render time difference of 5, 8, 11, 16 was not too  
significant, so the presets were very acceptable.

Now with raytracing added, better control is more evident yes. I  
wouldn't solve it simply by making an OSA slider. The real problems  
should be tackled:

- reviewing the jitter code again (its 10 years old!). I bet the algo  
to make such patterns can use some ugrading
- dropping the builtin limit of 16 samples maximum (there's some  
hardwired code here that needs check
- allowing better control over motion blur, which could be done by  
allowing a separate value for amount of blur samples (independent of AA  
samples)
- implement better AA for raytracing sampling, which can become  
adaptive too (detecting high frequency/differences) and probably allow  
a different sample total than for standard OSA (which does polygon  
edges only).

Simplest will be separating the amount of blur samples from the actual  
OSA (polygon edge AA) samples. Blur samples then can become a slider.

> PART TWO:  VARIABLE RENDER SIZE SLIDER

Here I don't really have an opinion... it's handy to include 200% yes.
Main disadvantage is simplicity... the old presets were easy to detect,  
with the 100% button being large and visible. Here the 'dashboard'  
approach (giving one total overview to quickly check all settings)  
conflicts with control.

I'd prefer to hear some opinions from others on it. Users!?


> PART THREE:  A "PC2" BUTTON
>

That's fine.
Still, this preset business could be implemented so much better...  we  
just can make it a render_presets ascii file, which reads from the  
HOME/.blender/ directory. Syntax can be very simple.

-Ton-

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Ton Roosendaal  Blender Foundation ton@blender.org  
http://www.blender.org