Free 3D IR Head Scan Release + Smart HDR IBL + Vray 2.0

Infinite Scan vRay2.0 FastSSS2 sIBL test 1

Infinite Scan vRay2.0 FastSSS2 sIBL test 2

Because I am half out of my mind and not ready to fall asleep, scratch that, because I was thrilled to learn today that Lee Perry-Smith in collaboration with Infinite Realities has released a very awesome high res 3d scan of his “fat head”, I would like to direct your attention to scanning technology being called Triplegangers. Anyone interested in playing around with your very own, very remarkable scan should head on over and download this file along with many other examples and some very useful facial reference. Check the CGFeedback thread for posting your own creations using Lee’s head. If you’re like me, use it as a practice head to hone your skin shading and rendering techniques!

Along with a fresh head, how ’bout some new HDR images to light your scenes? Over at HDR Labs they have an ever growing selection of free promo HDRs to use and sIBL GUI, along with tons of other useful tools and vast amounts of information, for ooober simplification of your lighting needs no matter what package you’re working in or renderer of choice.

I don’t want to get off topic, but I’ve heard talk about this tool that converts your Nintendo DS into a camera remote control and they have it freely available, Open Camera Controller (OCC) to “Jailbreak” your DSLR. How sweet is that?! Getting back to the discourse at hand…

I haven’t messed around in Max or Vray in a while and i’ve been feeling withdrawals so I fired up Vray and dove in. I’m obviously no expert at rendering but with a VrayFastSSS2 shader, an IR obj complete with textures, and I’m off to a good start. Fire up sIBL GUI, a robust asset browser of sorts, to choose an HDR and hit one button to create a load script for Max that completely sets up my scene with lighting rig and all the settings ready for me to just bring in my model, assign a material, and hit render. How much more simple can it be? The best part is all the assets are free to use under creative commons. Questions on how to get started?