Renderbricks

Photoreal LEGO Rendering with MECABRICKS

Recommended Posts

Hi LEGO-Addicts *:-)

I had a longer break from my research about photoreal LEGO renderings with LDRAW and LDD models. Then I got attention about MECABRICKS. The latest version supports OBJ export and here's a first test in 3840 x 2160.

Everything looks awesome. If there were hi-res bricks and parts it would be super-awesome. Good job, Scrubs! *;-)

LEGO_Palace_Cinema_v02_VR_3840x2160.jpg

Edited by virtualrepublic

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks! The models from LDRAW will give better results because they have a higher mesh and you can add LEGO logos onto the studs. The LDD models are nice but in low-res only. I wished LEGO would give us much better converted models from their original CAD database. But MECABRICKS is the most easy way to get models into MODO. I am in contact with Scrubs who is doing an awesome job. The LDRAW or LDD way takes much more effort and tricks to transfer models. Well, if the world would be easy, there would be no challange, passion and satisfaction. *:-)

LEGO_Queen_Annes_Revenge_v02_VR_Front_3840x2160.jpg

Display pictures and click into the 4K version. I need to fix some grain in the renderings.

LEGO_Queen_Annes_Revenge_v02_VR_Back_3840x2160.jpg

Edited by virtualrepublic

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Those ship renders look beautiful! :wub:

Amazing work virtualrepublic and scrubs :thumbup: :thumbup:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wow, great renderings!

What is the rendering software you used?

PS: images are oversized (maximum size allowed in EB is 1024x768, if I'm not wrong).

You could use thumbnails. :classic:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Awesome! Too bad the tubes on their backpacks are low-polygon, it gives away the digital nature. Maybe you can add some background? Keep practising!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Awesome! Too bad the tubes on their backpacks are low-polygon, it gives away the digital nature. Maybe you can add some background? Keep practising!

Yes. Hi-poly models with optional LEGO logos for the studs is missing here. But I won't complain. MECABRICKS is nice. For a background I could arrange some stuff from Modular Buildings... later... maybe *:-)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

These renders are incredible!

Who made that ship by the way? :laugh:

PS: images are oversized (maximum size allowed in EB is 1024x768, if I'm not wrong).

I always had the impression it was 800x600, but... :look:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Who made that ship by the way? :laugh:

I did :classic: . I think it was one of the first models made in mecabricks to show of what was possible to do with it. I admit that it was a pain at the time to correctly position the bricks! It came a long way since then with the 3rd version of the workshop now online for the past 3 months.

Here is my version of the Ghostbusters set. This is my first rendering using Blender Cycles after a day learning it. I added a few vertices to improve a bit the rough backpacks.

15560903865_77a10bc6f4_c.jpg

Ghostbusters by mecabricks, on Flickr

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Had a little time to render the Mini with blender today. :classic:

I'm actually checking the lightning and material settings to get a better result...

mini_v2.png

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Lights updated...

mini_v3.png

For more realism I would like to see 2 things:

  • a slighty bigger gap between the bricks
  • beveld bricks/studs ( maybe that will solve the gap "problem", too )

What do you think? :classic:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Your last rendering looks good.

I agree with your two points however, the original purpose of mecabricks is to be used online. I'm always looking for ways of reducing the file size so that a model with hundreds of different part design doesn't take forever to open. Adding details like bevels takes a lot of vertices for not too many benefits in the workshop. It's always hard to find the right balance.

Gap between parts is pretty close to the real one however you are right, the bevel (rounded edge) makes it appear bigger. Like what virtualrepublic does, a shader that does add a fake bevel shall help without rebuilding the all part library.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sorry, I know it's been a while since the last post, but I've been looking through your threads, virtualrepublic, with all your photoreal renders, and have to say I love everyone of them. You've really inspired me to jump back into 3D Max and start cranking out Lego renders. Though, not as good as building real bricks, it's just as addicting. Keep up the awesome works and great tips you've been sharing on your workflow.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello,

I keep playing with Blender any now and then to render models I like. Here is my last one, the X-Wing Starfighter. It is not too visible here but I added the support for flexible parts (rubber band and flex hose so far) in Mecabricks that can also be exported with the STL or OBJ exporters. The 4 rubber bands used to hold the 4 wings are actually modeled at the back. You can check the original model in the workshop here.

15578150938_e49fbe194f_c.jpg

X-Wing Starfighter LEGO® by mecabricks, on Flickr

Edited by Scrubs

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

^ Great looking model scrubs. I've only recently been hearing about Mecabricks as I'm still really new to the Lego community, but what little I've seen coming from it is truly astounding. You've done an awesome job on things and look forward to more quality work. :thumbup:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello,

I come back with my latest rendering of a model I just built on mecabricks. This is the first real big Technic set. I wanted to see how usable the workshop was for this kind of build. It turned out pretty well I think :)

15845835088_823c62ac14_c.jpg

Cargo Plane by mecabricks, on Flickr

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

This is some cool stuff! I have Blender and I have LDD and I am familiar with a lot of the tools, but MECCA seems hard and not as user friendly. And I can't import the models I had already made in LDD. Did I miss something on MECCA to aid in connecting the pieces and can you import from your computer??

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello,

I still try to improve my CGI skills with Blender - especially after having seen the images from virtualrepublic. Here is my last rendering. This is the Flower Cart 40140 that I exported from Mecabricks.

I might post the nodes I used at some stage so that people can try them and improve them as well.

16507288529_4bd9ecef2d_c.jpg

Flower Cart 40140 by mecabricks, on Flickr

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    No registered users viewing this page.