Anyone recommend CGI software?

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branny
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Joined: Nov 6 2001

I take photographs of furniture for a few different companies. Each one is taken with flash heads and softbox on black carpet against a white wall. I need to put more oomph into these and thought a cgi of a wall with an attractive window looking out onto a garden would look good on the left hand side of the image.
Anyone do this sort of thing or recommend software please?

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Mark M
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Re: Anyone recommend CGI software?

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branny
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Joined: Nov 6 2001
Re: Anyone recommend CGI software?

Thanks for the reply Mark - Yes I thought about adding my own and yes, the lighting/shadows will be the trickiest bit, but hopefully I can reverse the process in cgi software. Take my photo in, then add the window and lighting to suit the image. It may be just wishful thinking so I hope someone from the cgi world can throw some light on it (lol)  

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sleepytom
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Re: Anyone recommend CGI software?

Maya or 3ds Max or Lightwave + about 10 years experience of using them. 

Photo realistic CGI isn't very easy to do. 

You could pay someone to do it but they would be expensive if they are able to produce a high quality output. 

It will be easiest (and therefore cheapest) to reshoot with a better background. 

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People interested in live production might like to check out http://atemuser.com 

branny
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Joined: Nov 6 2001
Re: Anyone recommend CGI software?

I have a pal who been tutoring 3DS/ max for 15 years, but as it's only a realistic looking window/view I need, the solution should be pretty straight forward. In the absence of suitable software advice, I'll find a window scene and shoot it to drop in myself 

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sleepytom
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Re: Anyone recommend CGI software?

That is classic client talk "it's only" + "should be simple" = "i don't know how to do this, but don't want to pay much for it" ! 

There isn't any magic CGI software which make it all "simple" - you model and light in a 3d package and then render out the view you need. Any of the software i've mentioned can do it. But its not the kind of thing you can learn in a couple of days. 

Shooting a real window with the correct lighting and then compositing in photoshop will be far far easier. 

You can contact me at http://tombassford.org
People interested in live production might like to check out http://atemuser.com 

branny
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Joined: Nov 6 2001
Re: Anyone recommend CGI software?

Correct! :)

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Pete Allen
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Joined: Oct 25 2006
Re: Anyone recommend CGI software?

Cinema 4d is another good one but, equally hard to get to grips with.

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Chris.
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Joined: Nov 5 2000
Re: Anyone recommend CGI software?

I've done loads of CGI, started on the Amiga with programs like Sculpt. Now I use 3DS Max with Vray. I also do commercial photography. I'd never contemplate replacing a wall with something I'd rendered in max. It's a Photoshop job.

Even if I had to go and shoot a garden at the correct focal length when the sun was in the correct position it would be far preferable to building a scene in 3DS. 

You would just be giving yourself two problems instead of one. After building and rendering your scene you still need to merge it with your photograph. The shadows and reflections won't work the way you might hope, your photograph is 2d and is like a flat rectangle of card in the 3D world.

To get a taste for 3D without spending any money try Sketch-Up.