iray Rendering Mode

iray Rendering Mode 3.13

Existing mental ray global illumination techniques typically depend on interpolation solutions to trade final quality, and use simplified scene specification for performance, like idealized light sources. Unlike these solutions, the iray rendering mode is based on deterministic and consistent algorithms that converge without introducing persistent approximation artifacts. These algorithms also allow for extreme scalability on parallel computing platforms. On machines equipped with GPU hardware which can be used for general purpose computing, like graphics processors supporting CUDA, this rendering mode is able to achieve interactive frame rates with quick progressive refinement to the desired image quality. This mode enables mental ray to produce images that include the most anticipated but typically expensive real-world effects, including (among others):

Glossy reflections and refractions,
Image-based and environment lighting,
Area lights with soft shadows,
Light emitting objects,
Camera lens depth-of-field,
Direct and indirect illumination effects
typically just approximated in traditional workflows by techniques such as ambient occlusion and final gathering,
Stand-in "matte" objects,
Sun and sky simulation, 3.11
Brute-force motion blur.3.11
Layered materials with BSDFs, 3.11
MDL material designs, 3.13
MDL procedural textures. 3.13

In order to achieve this level of realism the scene description - comprising geometry, materials, light sources, and camera model - is interpreted with closest physically plausible representations, instead of using traditional shading tricks with approximate models. The rendering process is fully based on BSDF materials and EDF (emission distribution function) light sources, coupled with texturing and controlled through intuitive parameters for a high degree of customization. Existing traditional material descriptions implemented in shaders and conventional idealized light source types are handled automatically, by emulating them with representations matching reality that produce near identical visual results. Programmable shaders are not required to achieve photo-realistic results.

The iray rendering mode is enabled with a global switch using a scene option or on the command line of standalone mental ray. Since iray is computing images always in progressive rendering mode, it is controlled by relevant options for progressive rendering, like the automatic stop criteria. For environment lighting some pre-computation is performed in regular mental ray, therefore few related environment lighting options apply to iray as well. All the other rendering options for regular mental ray will be ignored silently.