I'm not a newbie, but I've been away for more than 2 years and I've lost a lot of my knowledge. I feel like I've suffered a stroke and I'm learning to walk again. Also, I'm much more of a 3ds max user so I'm familiar with 3D jargon. Things that were once automatic are now a struggle to do. My last version of Poser was 7. I now have Poser Pro 2012 (v 9 I guess).

I resurrected and old project in order to improve on it. I've read a bunch of skin shader threads but for some reason nothing is approaching what I'm looking for which is a more realisting quality.

I've tried EZskin but it made the skin far too procelin and way too much SSS so that the skin was almost glowing. The next series of posts will show the images and info I used.

1. my render

2. render settings

3. EZSkin render

4. Skin Shader

5. Skin shader based on this thread: http://www.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/showthread.php?thread_id=2553769&page=1

My issues are:

• Not enough skin tone variation. Its too even
• Skin not oily enough
• Not sure if SSS is sufficient but don't know how to boost that w/o making skin glowing
• freckles and bump are not visible despite the fact there are nodes that account for it.

Any additional comments on composition, lighting etc will also be appreciated. If you need a node by node breakdown it is pretty much identical to the thread link above.

You use ezskin for render ??? You need to use it to create skin shader

Is that the normal shader? I don't see a "Scatter" node.

Also, I suggest that you up the raytrace bounces to atleast 2-4, especially if you have reflective surfaces or have fresnel checked in EZskin.

Another suggestion is to up the bucket size to 50-60.

As for the SSS, use a "Scale" setting of 1.80 - 2.00, this will tame the glowing and "wax" look. Also since the "Blinn" node is colapsed, I can't see what your value is, but lately I've actually had to put the Eccentricity at atleast "0.400000," SpecularRollOff at atleast "0.600000," and Reflectivity at "1.5 or 2.0."

I see this only now :blink:

Your link is 6 years old, the shader in this thread is for P5->P8, fake SSS

That skin shader, for all intent & purposes, is outdated for PP2012/P9.  EZSkin provides a better node arrangement based on BB's latest skin shader using true SSS math.  I bet your principle problem is lighting and the lack of understanding how Gamma Correction, or linear workflow, is applied within the new Poser Pro series. 

What lighting conditions exists on your stage? 

BTW, rendering with Gamma correction = 1 is similar to rendering in P9.  This is a feature you should learn and understand.

@icandy265, that is not EZSkin nodes.

Huh? I think EZskin did not recognize your figure. so, it did nothing to your shader... You may want to browze the EZpdf. If you run EZ, and it finishes instantly,,, you are not supported. Says so at top of screen. You must add your figure to config file. My wag

crossposted

What others said - reiterating - Gamma = 1 is equal to not using linear workflow at all - same as not paying for Pro. Don't do that - you want realism, then make a mistake by shutting off GC.

Saying it again, since you have it set wrong, and I've seen people argue about this who don't know math. When Gamma = 1 it is the same as turning off GC altogether.

Second point others made as well - you clearly are not looking at a render with the EZSkin shader applied.

Third point - if you have too much light it's going to look like a cartoon anyway.

Thanks all. As I stated above I've been away for a few years. I'm relearning everything. I will investigate your advice.

How stupid of me. Now that I see the equation Vout = Vin^Y by setting Y = 1 essentially I've applied no gamma correction at all. LOL

...investigating further