Hello I have a querey about the render settings on firefly..

There is lots of advice on the net only to use the option 3rd from the end on render settings I think it is  2 ray trace bounce s 3 pixels .

Ok so I did a render HDRI switched on and it finished in like 30 mins for 1000 x 10??

Then I did one max settings same size took like an hour an the quality was exceptional compared to the first render. I tried this with various charactures and the quality of the render was always so much higher - I just want to know why the advice on net is not too go for a full setting render?

Also all the tick boxes at the side for smoothing etc .... do these reduce or increase quality and please could you let me know with ones are best to tick.

I tried displacement maps it took hours to render and it looked really blurred.

Also I am not sure if 2d motion blur makes any difference?

I always put a ray trace on every single object from pupils, to finger nails... is this wise?

The computer seems to be able to hack whatever I throw at it, so it is not time I am worried about I just want the best setting possible.

Also if I want to print them out on A3 full page... which would be the best resolution settings to use? I want this to look damn good on paper ! I have gone up to 2000 x ???? so far.

I have another question on this forum about blank manual renders any help on any of these subjects gratefully appreciated.  I am new to this and its good to get things right asap :-)