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In this series of lessons we will be taking an introductory look at many of the rendering features found in V-Ray for Maya.

Using the V-Ray rendering engine, we can create highly realistic renders inside of Maya, but understanding how to properly use the rendering features of V-Ray is of critical importance. In these lessons we will explore many tools and concepts of V-Ray such as the various methods for simulating global illumination and understanding when each of these methods should be used. We will also look at the specialized V-Ray lights and how to properly use these lights in order to achieve a high degree of realism. We will also learn how to utilize the V-Ray Sun and Sky to create realistic outdoor lighting, we will learn how to utilize some of the specialized V-Ray materials, how to render our images into multiple passes, and exploring many additional rendering features found in V-Ray.

1. Introduction and project overview 3. Working with V-Ray lights in Maya 5. Using the V-Ray IES light in Maya 7. Overview of the VRayMtl in Maya 9. Getting started with indirect illumination in V-Ray 11. Exploring Irradiance Maps in V-Ray 13. Saving and re-using indirect illumination data from V-Ray 15. Using the V-Ray 2-sided material in Maya 17. Adding V-Ray attributes to Maya cameras 19. V-Ray color mapping features in Maya 21. Rendering smooth geometry with V-Ray for Maya 23. Using V-Ray Render Elements in Maya

2. Understanding the V-Ray Image Sampler 4. Exploring additional V-Ray light attributes 6. Using Maya geometry as a V-Ray light source 8. Refraction attributes of the VRayMt in Maya 10. Utilizing Photon Maps in V-Ray 12. Understanding Light Cache in V-Ray 14. Creating detailed V-Ray caustic patterns in Maya 16. Working with V-Ray material overrides in Maya 18. Using the V-Ray Sun and Sky features in Maya 20. Creating image-based lighting with V-Ray for Maya 22. Rendering V-Ray displacements in Maya