minBevel

Type: Shaders

Updated: April 12, 2009

Availability: Unreleased

Compatibility

Host Applications: RenderMan and mental ray

Operating Systems: Linux, Mac OS X and Windows

Architecture: 64-bit and 32-bit

Overview

minBevel is similar in concept and functionality to mental ray’s built-in mia_roundcorners shader but takes the idea one step further: With minBevel an artist can choose from several different types of bevel to automatically apply to hard corners and edges at render-time.

Usage

Low poly objects can be given a higher quality appearance through the automatic generation of fake bevels.

Perhaps even more useful is the ability to apply a secondary bump map that affects only beveled areas, thereby for example creating chiseled or rough worn edges and corners without the need for high-poly modeling or texturing.

Examples

: Worn edges and corners

: Sharp edges

: Simple rounded edges and corners

: Clean edges on a rough surface

: Rough, worn edges added procedurally

Compatibility

minBevel is compatible with RenderMan and mental ray on Linux, Mac OS X and Windows (64-bit and 32-bit).