I finally made some acceptably strange columns in Rhino, and the archways are also Rhino-based. A couple of cube primitives when arranging in Bryce, and then some replication and tweaking of space and lights produced this result. 10 lights set to Squared falloff, 10 archway-column sets, and a mirror box to control the "Infinity" of it all. You determine how deep the reflections go with the "Ray Depth" and "TIR" settings. Any ideas on a centerpiece? A fountain? A statue? Shoudl i replace the simple light-globe-inside-glass setups with something more complex?

The transition between the archways and the mirror is too obvious, no? There's that dark line. Yes, I would replace the simple glass globe with something yellowish and semi-opaque. The holders, that is, the rods hanging from the ceiling should be replaced. Centrepiece ... I would put a deformed figure. Not a statue. A live figure with the back turned towards the camera. What's on the floor? Water? Cool pillars!

Hmm. Not yellow. But, yeah. Maybe a different light thing. Maybe try for something kaleidoscopic.

WOW! Perfect reflection!

Erlik, I appreciate the brutal critique, honestly I do! The floor is merely relective, with a celtic texture for bump. I know that there is a seam, but I'm not sure if I even want to get rid of the miror-seam, all things considered it acts as more of an alcove than anything...? But, I agree with something asymmetrical as the centerpiece, good call there, thanks!

A good way to get rid of the seam would be to have a pillar half in and half out of the mirror cube. That should make it looke like one pillar at that point. I know you don't care Shadow so please forgive me for going on, I just can't help myself. 8) Catlin

No, that's a great point! I knew I had done all of the math correctly, i.e., the pillars and walls were all precisely placed, but I couldn't think of how to rid myself of the Z-axis seam... Good call, Catlin, and thank you very much! Of COURSE I care, silly. Just because I SEEM like an ancient dragon Highlord doesn't mean I am heartless... (grins)

SDL, I like this very much! I don't have a problem with the seam but obviously everyone is different (thank goodness!). It shouldn't be a big deal if you wanted to line them up, it's just a matter of 3D scaling one column and replicating to replace the others. In my mind I think any one stand alone object in the center would look out of place because it will be reflected back countless times and break the illusion of the long running hall. Instead, I would place a long running carpet, like those runners they use in long halls and because it will also be reflected, it'll look like one long running carpet and not break up the illusion. I also think it could do with some brighter lighting. Just my thoughts.

Hmm. I dunno about a lighting change. Dimness lends a certain air of mystique to the image.

Well Melansian, I was thinking just slightly brighter, but your right, too much brighter and it would kill the atmosphere for the scene.

I'm so glad I could be of help Shadow, it amazes me how my ramblings can sometimes lead to something good. And I don't think you are an ancient, heartless, Highlord.......although sometimes........grin 8D Catlin

Aye, good point about the endless reflections, Quest, but I had planned on plop-rendering the infinte parts with the center object set to "Hidden". Easy workaround... I'll post the newer version of this one in a bit, need to put some more RAM in before it will render or even stay open at this point...

I'm sure it's not what you had in mind, but the archway really reminds me of a spinal column. Maybe if you put a bone texture on the columns ... it would be like they were made from the bones of a gigantic beast. Then again .... I seem to be rambling on tonight.

(grins at you!) Cool idea, Ricky, thanks for spitting it out, regardless of your own self-analysis! Ramble on, my friend...