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Cameras
Cameras in Maxwell Render™ operate completely different from those in other render engines. Traditionally, most render engines use a pinhole camera. This type of camera simulates a tiny hole that allows light rays coming from the scene to reach the viewing surface. Instead, Maxwell Render™ simulates a real camera with the associated lens set, diaphragm aperture, diaphragm blades and various other settings. By using this type of camera model Maxwell Render™ can automatically simulate depth of field or aperture diffraction.
Along similar lines, motion blur in Maxwell Render™ is not produced as a post-process. Maxwell Render™ considers the moving objects to have random positions along their trajectories during the camera shutter speed time. This creates a natural and realistic motion blur.
Maxwell Render's SimuLens™ system allows you to simulate the shape of the diaphragm, creating realistic lens diffraction effects. It is also possible to simulate the scattering of light inside a lens system, an effect typically called "bloom".
Materials
Maxwell Render™ materials – called MXM – are defined in a physically correct manner by their BSDF functions (Bidirectional Scattering Distribution Function), making it possible to build up different layers of materials in the same object, like other BSDF or SSS (Sub Surface Scattering) effects. Thin coatings are also available for very subtle and realistic effects such as thin film interference effects for the multicolored look of a thin layer of oil in water, or soap bubbles. Maxwell Render™ materials are not only physically correct but also very flexible and versatile. Bump/Normal Mapping, Displacement, Dispersion of light and Emitting properties are other characteristics available in the Maxwell material system.
With Maxwell Render 2 and its new stacked layers system, it is possible to create sophisticated materials easily. Materials can now be stacked in a layered way, so you can mimic many surfaces that are composed of different materials one over another.
Maxwell materials are based on physical properties and therefore very easy to use once understood properly. To help users to understand and use the Maxwell materials, we have created the MXM Gallery webpage, were you can freely download thousands of photorealistic materials ready to use in your own projects. We also provide Wizards to guide the user in material creation.
Learning curve
Maxwell Render™ is based on how light interacts with objects and materials in the real world, so the concepts behind it are easy and intuitive to learn. You don't have to learn many parameters with strange terminology that have no equivalent in the real world - you work more like a photographer. You set up your lights using real world values, you adjust the camera using real camera parameters and let Maxwell Render handle the rest. This intuitive workflow is also flexible enough to allow for in-depth technical experiments, reviews or renders, if that is what you're looking for.