%20copy.png)
How to Use Redshift for Production: Tips and Tricks from Proteus VFX
How Proteus VFX Used Redshift to Create Stunning Visual Effects in Production
Redshift is a powerful GPU-based rendering engine that can produce photorealistic images and animations in a fraction of the time compared to CPU-based renderers. In this article, we will explore how Proteus VFX, a leading visual effects studio, used Redshift to create amazing visual effects for various projects, such as movies, commercials, and TV shows.
Proteus VFX Redshift in Production
What is Redshift and Why Use It?
Redshift is a biased renderer that uses ray tracing and global illumination techniques to simulate realistic lighting and shading effects. Unlike unbiased renderers that try to simulate every possible light ray in a scene, biased renderers use approximations and optimizations to speed up the rendering process while still achieving high-quality results.
Redshift is designed to take advantage of the parallel processing power of modern GPUs, which can handle thousands of calculations simultaneously. This means that Redshift can render complex scenes with millions of polygons, hundreds of lights, and dozens of shaders much faster than CPU-based renderers. Redshift also supports out-of-core rendering, which means that it can use the system memory and disk space to handle scenes that are larger than the GPU memory.
Some of the features that make Redshift stand out among other renderers are:
Adaptive sampling: Redshift automatically adjusts the number of samples per pixel based on the noise level and complexity of the scene, resulting in faster and cleaner renders.
Unified sampling: Redshift uses a single sampling algorithm for all types of effects, such as anti-aliasing, motion blur, depth of field, shadows, reflections, refractions, etc. This simplifies the workflow and reduces the need for tweaking multiple settings.
Physically based materials: Redshift supports a wide range of realistic materials, such as metals, plastics, glass, wood, skin, hair, cloth, etc. These materials are based on physical properties and can be easily customized using textures and masks.
Sub-surface scattering: Redshift can simulate the light scattering effect that occurs when light passes through translucent or semi-transparent objects, such as skin, wax, marble, etc. This adds more realism and depth to the renders.
Volumetric rendering: Redshift can render volumetric effects such as smoke, fog, clouds, fire, etc. using OpenVDB data or native 3D grids. Redshift also supports volumetric lighting and scattering effects.
Nested dielectrics: Redshift can handle complex scenarios where multiple transparent objects are overlapping or nested inside each other, such as ice cubes in a glass of water or bubbles in a soap foam. Redshift automatically calculates the correct refraction and reflection effects without artifacts or errors.
Material blending: Redshift can blend multiple materials together using different modes and masks, creating complex and layered surfaces such as rusted metal, wet sand, snow-covered rocks, etc.
AOVs: Redshift can output various types of render passes or AOVs (Arbitrary Output Variables) that can be used for compositing and post-processing. These include beauty, diffuse, specular, reflection, refraction, emission, depth, normal, motion vector
How Proteus VFX Uses Redshift in Production
Proteus VFX is a visual effects studio that specializes in creating realistic and immersive environments, characters, and effects for various media projects. Some of their clients include Netflix, HBO, Disney, Marvel, Paramount, and more. Proteus VFX has been using Redshift as their main rendering engine since 2016, and they have been impressed by its performance, quality, and flexibility.
Here are some examples of how Proteus VFX uses Redshift in production:
Previsualization
Proteus VFX uses Redshift to create quick and realistic previews of their scenes and animations. This helps them to test different ideas, refine their concepts, and communicate their vision to the clients and directors. Redshift allows them to render complex scenes with high-quality lighting and shading effects in minutes or even seconds, without compromising on the details or accuracy.
Look Development
Proteus VFX uses Redshift to create photorealistic materials and shaders for their assets and characters. They use Redshift's physically based materials and material blending features to create realistic and layered surfaces, such as metals, skin, hair, cloth, etc. They also use Redshift's sub-surface scattering and nested dielectrics features to simulate the light scattering and refraction effects that occur in natural materials. Redshift's node-based shader graph allows them to easily customize and tweak their shaders according to their needs.
Rendering
Proteus VFX uses Redshift to render their final images and animations for their projects. They use Redshift's adaptive sampling and unified sampling features to optimize their rendering settings and reduce the noise and render times. They also use Redshift's volumetric rendering and AOVs features to create stunning atmospheric and environmental effects, such as smoke, fog, fire, etc. and output various render passes for compositing and post-processing. Redshift's out-of-core rendering feature allows them to handle scenes that are larger than the GPU memory without crashing or slowing down.
Some Projects That Proteus VFX Worked on Using Redshift
Proteus VFX has worked on many projects using Redshift as their rendering engine, showcasing their skills and creativity in various genres and styles. Here are some examples of their work:
The Witcher
The Witcher is a popular fantasy series based on the novels by Andrzej Sapkowski and the video games by CD Projekt Red. Proteus VFX was responsible for creating some of the visual effects for the first season of the show, such as the magic spells, the monsters, and the environments. Proteus VFX used Redshift to render their scenes with realistic lighting, shading, and volumetric effects, creating a believable and immersive world for the viewers.
Lovecraft Country
Lovecraft Country is a horror drama series based on the novel by Matt Ruff, inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft. Proteus VFX was involved in creating some of the visual effects for the show, such as the creatures, the transformations, and the portals. Proteus VFX used Redshift to render their scenes with high-quality materials, sub-surface scattering, and nested dielectrics, creating terrifying and surreal effects for the show.
Black Widow
Black Widow is a superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Proteus VFX was part of the team that created some of the visual effects for the film, such as the explosions, the vehicles, and the environments. Proteus VFX used Redshift to render their scenes with fast and efficient rendering settings, adaptive sampling, and AOVs, creating realistic and dynamic effects for the film.
The Benefits of Using Redshift for Production
Redshift is a rendering engine that offers many benefits for production, especially for visual effects studios like Proteus VFX. Some of these benefits are:
Speed: Redshift is one of the fastest renderers on the market, thanks to its GPU-based architecture and biased rendering techniques. Redshift can render complex scenes with high-quality effects in a fraction of the time compared to CPU-based renderers. This saves time and money for the studios and allows them to meet tight deadlines and deliver high-quality results.
Quality: Redshift is capable of producing photorealistic images and animations that match or exceed the quality of other renderers. Redshift supports a wide range of features and effects that can create realistic and immersive visuals, such as global illumination, physically based materials, sub-surface scattering, volumetric rendering, nested dielectrics, etc. Redshift also has a high level of compatibility and integration with various 3D software and tools, such as 3ds Max, Maya, Cinema 4D, Houdini, Terragen, PhoenixFD, FumeFX, Megascans, etc.
Flexibility: Redshift is a versatile and customizable renderer that can adapt to different workflows and needs. Redshift has a user-friendly and intuitive interface that allows users to easily adjust and tweak their settings and preferences. Redshift also has a node-based shader graph that allows users to create complex and custom shaders using various nodes and inputs. Redshift also supports scripting and automation features that can enhance the workflow and productivity of the users.
Conclusion
Redshift is a rendering engine that has proven to be a valuable asset for production, especially for visual effects studios like Proteus VFX. Redshift offers speed, quality, and flexibility that can help the studios to create stunning visual effects for various projects, such as movies, TV shows, commercials, etc. Redshift is a rendering engine that can meet the demands and expectations of the industry and the clients.
How to Learn Redshift for Production
If you are interested in learning Redshift for production, there are many resources and courses available online that can help you master this rendering engine. One of them is the Redshift in Production course by Proteus VFX School, a visual effects studio that specializes in creating realistic and immersive environments, characters, and effects for various media projects.
The Redshift in Production course by Proteus VFX School is a comprehensive and practical course that covers all the aspects and features of Redshift, such as lighting, shading, rendering, look development, and optimization. The course is designed for both beginners and advanced users who want to improve their skills and knowledge of Redshift. The course is based on 3ds Max, but it is also useful for Redshift users with Maya, Cinema 4D, Houdini, etc.
The Redshift in Production course by Proteus VFX School consists of pre-recorded lessons that are updated to the latest version of Redshift. The lessons include theoretical and practical explanations, demonstrations, exercises, and 3D scenes. The course also provides direct support from the instructor for the entire course duration. The course covers various topics such as:
Introduction to the use of Redshift and GPU rendering
Sampling and anti-aliasing: theory and optimization
Complete lighting techniques: different light sources, HDRI, IBL, global illumination
Texture management and optimization: GPU vs CPU, UDIMs, etc.
Basic and complex shaders creation: metals, rusty, gold, glass, plastic, wood, aging effects, etc.
Natural surfaces: water, snow, terrain, mud, magma, ice, rock
Sub-surface scattering
Depth of field, motion blur and displacement
Volumetric rendering: environmental fx and OpenVDB data
Natural environments: plants, grass, trees, foliage
Architectural rendering: interior and exterior
Photoreal vehicles techniques
Final project: Chappie movie droid model shading, lighting, rendering and look development
The Redshift in Production course by Proteus VFX School is a great way to learn Redshift for production from a professional studio that uses it daily for their projects. You can find more information about the course at https://www.proteusvfxschool.com/redshift-in-production-2/?lang=en.
Conclusion
Redshift is a rendering engine that offers many benefits for production, especially for visual effects studios like Proteus VFX. Redshift offers speed, quality, and flexibility that can help the studios to create stunning visual effects for various projects, such as movies, TV shows, commercials, etc. Redshift is a rendering engine that can meet the demands and expectations of the industry and the clients.
If you want to learn Redshift for production, you can check out the Redshift in Production course by Proteus VFX School, a comprehensive and practical course that covers all the aspects and features of Redshift. The course is based on 3ds Max, but it is also useful for Redshift users with Maya, Cinema 4D, Houdini, etc. The course includes pre-recorded lessons, exercises, 3D scenes, and direct support from the instructor. You can find more information about the course at https://www.proteusvfxschool.com/redshift-in-production-2/?lang=en.
Redshift is a rendering engine that has proven to be a valuable asset for production, especially for visual effects studios like Proteus VFX. Redshift offers speed, quality, and flexibility that can help the studios to create stunning visual effects for various projects, such as movies, TV shows, commercials, etc. Redshift is a rendering engine that can meet the demands and expectations of the industry and the clients. b99f773239