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What is VRscans
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?
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The VRscans is a scanning technology which converts real-world materials such as textiles, plastic, paint and metal into digital materials. These can be used in 3D software tools to create photorealistic computer-generated images and animation.
Why should I use VRscans?
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Recreating materials from the real world in 3D software can be a painstaking process, especially if they exhibit complex behaviors under certain lighting conditions. VRscans solves this issue by capturing photorealistic, tileable materials with an unmatched level of quality and accuracy. VRscans can be used by anyone who wants to bring new levels of realism to their imagery and animation, from freelance artists to large studios. At the moment, it works with V-Ray for 3ds Max and V-Ray for Maya Service is for companies while the VRscans Library is for companies and individuals who need their 3D visualizations to be as photorealistic and accurate as possible and are using V-Ray 3.4 or higher for 3ds Max and Maya platforms.
How are VRscans materials different?
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VRscans are not created more than just texture maps or map packs.
Chaos Group’s unique hardware and software setup captures thousands of images of a material sample under different camera and lighting angles.
A proprietary software tool compiles the image data into a seamlessly tileable .vrscan material file. This file can be read by V-Ray for 3ds Max and V-Ray for Maya in the same way that typical CG materials are made. Most materials use standard BRDF models like Blinn, Ward, and GGX to estimate the way a material reacts to light. These approximations get close, but they're not exact. Instead, VRscans uses BTF measurements to fully capture a material’s unique appearance. We collect all the data needed to render its texture, surface reflectivity, dimensionality, and light response in a single .vrscan file.
Can VRscans material be modified?
as traditional V-Ray materials.
VRscans materials can be dragged and dropped onto geometry. They automatically resolve their behavior under different lighting conditions, without any customization.
Can I modify VRscans materials?
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Parameters such as color, UV tiling and bump strength can be adjusted, and you can blend VRscans materials with V-Ray materials. These parameters can be found on the VRayScannedMtl page.
Since VRscans is aimed at accurately reproducing reality, they do not allow the same level of control as a custom-built material. The .vrscans file contains a complete data set, so there are no separate texture maps. Adjustments can be made though to color, uv tiling, bump strength, etc. VRscans materials can be blended with V-Ray materials. These parameters can be found on the VRayScannedMtl page.
Do VRscans materials support render elements?
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Not at the moment, but we are working on this functionality. The next V-Ray for 3ds Max and V-Ray for Maya releases should support a base set of render elements.
What kind of materials can be scanned?
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FabricAny flat, leather, plastic, metal, wood and stone scan best. Glass is not recommended. opaque, or translucent surface is scannable, provided that the size of the sample is between the required parameters (see below).
For natural materials such as stone, wood and dirt VRscans is not particularly useful, because these materials typically don’t lend themselves to tiling. However, this limitation is not relevant if the scanned material will be used on a 3D object which has dimensions equal to or smaller than the sample size, so no tiling is required.
Material sample requirements:
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- Flat opaque material samples are optimal. Translucent materials are supported but fully transparent materials, such as glass, are not.
- Texture depth ≤ 1mmThe materials should have a flat surface, or irregularities such as bumps, pits or grain no higher/deeper than 1mm.
- Samples no smaller than
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- 40x40mm, and no larger than
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- 400x300mm.
- Maximum scan resolution is .06mm/ pixel
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- .
What is the VRscans Service?
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If you are working with tight deadlines and need to create many complex 3D materials for automotive, product design or fashion projects, then the VRscans service is the perfect match for you. We scan your physical material samples to create a highly accurate, ultra-photorealistic digital material for use in 3D projects.
How does the VRscans
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Scanning Service work?
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Step 1. Send materials to be scanned
Clients provide Chaos Group with one or more physical material samples. We ensure that all samples are dealt with securely and confidentially.
Step 2. Materials are evaluated for scanning
Our lab techs evaluate each material to determine if it's suitable for scanning. If not, the material will be is returned at no charge.
Step 3. Materials are scanned
Each material is carefully scanned by one of our expert lab techs. Once the scan is complete, the resulting images are transformed into a seamless, tileable file. And after After passing inspection and strict quality control, the material scans are ready for delivery.
Step 4. Scanned files are delivered
Files are delivered by via private FTP link or physical drive. Additional courier fees may apply*.
Step 5. Material samples are returned
We understand that materials may be proprietary or copyrighted, and so all samples are promptly returned to the client.
*Additional courier fees may apply
Can you provide a texture and maps pack with my VRscan?
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We are currently working to provide textures with every VRscans material. There are ways to work around this, though – get in touch and we’ll be happy to suggest a solution.
What is the VRscans
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plugin?
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The VRscans plug-in is specially designed to import and render scanned materials. Since .vrscan files are a proprietary format, the VRscans plug-in acts as a bridge into the latest versions of plugin is the part of V-Ray (versions 3.5 and above) which provides the UI for importing, modifying, and using the VRscans materials in V-Ray for 3ds Max and Maya. We expect to support other applications soon.
Is a material library available? How do I access it?
V-Ray for Maya. There is no additional installation required. When a user purchases a VRscans Plugin license, they receive the license file updates for their dongle, or their licenses are added to their Online Licensing account. After restarting Max or Maya, the user should be able to see the interface for the VRscans materials within the V-Ray Material Editor.
When a client purchases a license for the VRscans Plugin, they automatically receive a one-year subscription for the VRscans library.
To continue using the VRscans materials and the VRscans Library, the user will have to maintain their subscription on an annual basis.
What is the VRscans Library?
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The VRscans library is a repository of ready-made scans of different materials created by Chaos Group with the VRscans hardware. The library currently contains around 550 materials broken down into categories such as wood, leather, plastic, metal, paint; or color or manufacturer. The library supports material filter/search based on these parameters.
For some materials, the manufacturer has given us permission to scan and upload their samples for people to use. Other materials are generic samples from the world around us.
The library is accessible to all VRscans license holdersThere’s a growing library of VRscans materials available now, and access comes with the purchase of the VRscans plug-in. Our goal is to create a vast library of physically accurate, drag-and-drop materials for the VRscans community. We’re working with manufacturers to bring in their materials as well.
How much does
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the VRscans Plugin and Library Subscription cost?
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The cost of the plugin and subscription is 300 EUR / 420 USD / 260 GBP per workstation. Each workstation license provides access to the library for one user.
Each workstation license allows the user to render VRscans materials on 11 additional VRscans-specific Render Nodes, provided they are covered by the requisite number of V-Ray Render Node licenses.
How much does the VRscans Scanning Service Cost?
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Pricing starts at 300 EUR / 420 USD / 260 GBP per material scan. Contact us for for a custom quote.
The VRscans plugin is also required. It is available on an annual or monthly basis.
For more information please visit visit https://www.chaosgroup.com/vrscans#pricing
Can I buy a scanner? How much does it cost?
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Chaos Group is planning production of the scanning hardware. Contact us for more information.