Rendering Textures and Lighting Effects in Photoshop

Screenshot CTL interior 1.jpg
This exercise has students take a basic interior rendering from V-Ray and create a post-processed rendering in Photoshop. Emphasis is placed on material and lighting effects. The exercise will measure students ability to effectively use methods and tools in Photoshop for accurately describing a variety of conditions within a space.
Assessment objectives

Assessment objectives include:

  • Ability to enhance a base image with adjustment layers.
  • Ability to accurately and effectively add materials in Photoshop.
  • Ability to accurately and effectively depict lighting conditions within a space.
Exercise Type
Evaluation Criteria
High Pass
Rendered image uses given materials and scales them and masks them appropriately in the drawing. Lighting effects are accurately rendered. The drawing largely conveys the intended idea and has a strong strategy to achieve it.
Pass
Rendered image uses given materials and scales them appropriately in the drawing, with some layer masking errors. Lighting effects are inaccurately rendered, but a basic understanding of the tools used to depict light qualities can be seen. The drawing conveys the intended idea with room for improvement.
Low Pass
Rendered image does not use given materials or scales and masks them inappropriately in the drawing. Lighting qualities are inaccurately rendered, with little understanding of the tools used to depict light qualities. The drawing does not at all convey the intended idea.
Fail
No drawing or no changes.
Uses Tool(s) Tool:Photoshop CS5
Uses Workflow(s) Workflow:553704

Interior Daylit Rendering

Using the assets provided, create a rendered interior perspective that conveys specific material and lighting qualities within the space. The building you will be using is the Cathedral of Christ the Light by SOM in Oakland, which many of you may be familiar with.

There are two base renderings to choose from: one perspective from the altar of the main cathedral and one from one of the small chapels along the edge of the building. There are also two basic qualities to portray: one being light and shadow and the other material and texture.

Using one of the sets of provided base and material images, use the post-processing tools and techniques discussed and demonstrated in the workflow to convey and enhance light and material within the space. Photographs of the cathedral have been provided for inspiration, but not necessarily to copy. Keep in mind that there are many different design intents that can drive an interior rendering as well as methods and techniques that can be used to convey the various qualities.

Exercise Files

CTL_Interior 1
CTL_Interior 2

Section Uploads

Aaron's Section

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