Continuing our goal to provide the best possible way to show off your 3D models online, we’re pleased to release a new feature today that will help you create even more life-like real time renders.
Screen Space Reflection (SSR) is now a post-process rendering option for all your 3D models.
Lots of shiny materials in FelixMatveev’s office model help show off the power of SSR:
The effect can be strong or subtle depending on your scene: A common use for the technique is to provide real time reflections of objects that sit on or near shiny surfaces such as glossy walls or wet floors. In these cases the additional post-process will be immediately apparent.
However, any scene with glossy surfaces can benefit. Shiny materials can “self reflect” providing a more natural look. SSR helps to improve specular occlusion adding shadows to parts of models that could not be computed before.
A more subtle benefit can be clearly seen in Jakob_van_damme’s model of an Eames Lounge Chair which reflects itself nicely resulting in more realistic occlusion:
As with all our post-process effects, play with SSR to get a look you like, try not to “over-do” any effect, and remember that each additional effect can be a performance trade-off. Note that there are some limitations given this is a sort of rendering short-cut. Only geometry visible from the camera can be computed for example.
You’ll find the new setting in the Post Processing tab of our 3D settings:
We can’t wait to see you employ SSR on your existing or new work. Tag your work #SketchfabSSR and we’ll be on the lookout for striking examples to share in the coming weeks.
* Our blog header image is taken from “Bathroom Interior” by happs. With SSR enabled, the sink and items on the bathroom counter reflect in the mirror. Without SSR surrounding models do not reflect one another.
About the author
Paul Chambers
Artist Evangelist & Community outreach at Sketchfab, freelance CG Generalist, render-farm tinkerer. Zelda worshipper.
