OK, so using the above lighting rig and render settings, I rendered out the final image, which looked something like what you can see in Fig.24.
Fig.24 shows the un-processed Render from LightWave (FPrime).
Fig.24
As you can see, it bears very little resemblance to the final image. It was going to take a lot of post work to get it there, and if you click on Fig.25 you can download an animation of the various different layers used in Photoshop and Digital fusion in order to achieve the final image.
Fig.25 shows the layers video – click on image to download movie.
Fig.26 shows the Photoshop layers.
Fig.25 - Click to View Flash Movie
Fig.26
Levels / Curves:
I always use lots of adjustment layers. For this image I really wanted to add a lot of contrast so I used an 'S' curve and crushed the backs using the levels.
Hair:
I did debate using Sasquatch for the hair, however, this image was only ever intended as an illustration and therefore I thought it would be a waste of time fiddling with hair setting and dynamics when I could easily paint it on in Photoshop.
Depth of Field Effect:
You might notice that in Fig.25, his ears are out of focus. I actually created this effect very simply by using the blur tool in Photoshop. Rendering DOF in LightWave can significantly increase the render time.
Chromatic Aberration:
Chromatic aberration is caused by a lens having a different refractive index for different wavelengths of light; it creates a rainbow coloured fringe where the light splits into its component colours. I really like the effect as it adds an armature photographic quality to the image. You can see its effects in Fig.27. I've exaggerated it quite a lot in this image. I created this effect in Fusion using the SpeedSix Monsters Plug-in, 'Gun'.
Fig.27
Grain:
The grain was created very simply by creating a new layer in Photoshop and applying some nice grain and then setting the adjustment to 'Colour Burn'.
Background:
Because I rendered the character out as a 32bit TGA I was able to use the alpha map to cut him out and insert a background behind. I used an image of a hospital emergency room and blurred it in Photoshop – very simple stuff really.
Fusion:
The final step of the grading process took place in Fusion, using the SpeedSix Monsters Film effects plug-in, which gives you the option of choosing from various different film stocks. I chose to underexpose this image slightly, hence the greenish tint. You can see the effects in Fig.28.
Fig.28
3DTotal
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Final Image
And that's about it really. I hope this has been of some use to you, and if you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me at jamie@ten24.info.
