Sharing information on how to get great renders

[jammixx]

Before about 2015 or so, Daz Studio and Renderosity had fantastic community areas where people shared their ways of getting good renders.  You can still access them but there are hardly any recent posts.  What happened?  Are there new sites for this exchange of information?   This site ought to at least post a few things to help people along.  It's just an idea, but do you know places to get tutorials that are not confusing and the suggestions made a difference for you?

[sanbie]

What a great idea Jammixx...Just wish I knew how to render great renders...pdg used to help us with that when he was here....but unfortunately we lost all those in the server move.

[jammixx]

Your renders are really good, Sanbie.  Everyone has their own style, and I'm glad to see so many styles among the small group here.  Realism is only a goal for some, but there is so much more.   I think giving tips and easy improvements are more about making the experience more enjoyable for the artist.  To paraphrase Harry Styles, the musician at the grammys, "Of course we all know that there is no best in art".   

[jammixx]

I'll start with this one.   The website Poly Haven, which is a 3D public resource, has lots of HDRI environments and textures.  They also have some props that look high quality but are mostly things like your parents had in their house.  Everything is free.    Notable:  polyhaven.com has a program you can get ($30) that will link their texture library to your BLENDER program.  How cool is that?

[jammixx]

For many years Winterbrose has provided all sorts of tutorials and tips for making your artwork better.  If you look under "tutorials" or the "freezer" you will find great guidance.  There are also many products if you can send support that way.  Find the site at:  https://www.winterbrose.com/products.html 

[sanbie]

Looks interesting Jammix