Do you guys use HuntingSuccubus' Subsurface Scattering?

[SortaLewd]

Just wondering what's considered the norm. I know that plugin has some compatibility issues and bugs, but I don't notice the usual giveaways like the grey patches or Embody pov bugging out when viewing videos and screenshots from other vam users.

 

[hazmhox]

There is no norm : )
People do what they enjoy / like.

On my end, I tend to avoid unstable plugins and potential heavy modifications of the characters IF the goal is realtime ( playable scene in VR ). As potential bugs and incompatibilities for people is a huge deal, and I prefer a smooth playback than having a slight SSS effect.

Also, I generally don't like SSS in games. It is generally way overdone and does not look appealing to me. If you look at the last updates on the subject from HS. The characters do not look like skin is letting a bit of light through, but they're becoming more like wax figures.
It's just a matter of taste.

Do what you enjoy, do what you think is great for your characters... no one is gonna sue you
( also, don't forget about framerate, it matters in VR ; ) )

 

[SlimerJSpud]

When SSS was first introduced in Daz Studio, it was derisively referred to as "Lava mouth" because too much light was shining through the skin texture near the mouth. It can be a subtle effect, or it can be a hot mess, literally. You don't really need it, IMO.

 

[SortaLewd]

When SSS was first introduced in Daz Studio, it was derisively referred to as "Lava mouth" because too much light was shining through the skin texture near the mouth. It can be a subtle effect, or it can be a hot mess, literally. You don't really need it, IMO.

How do you get around skins in VaM looking greyish and generally lacking color? I've been using SS but the combination of issues it has with a few other frequently used plugins and clothing items/scalps having grey spots has me second guessing if it's worth continuing to use. I look at images in the media tab and there are some great shots, but none of them say what plugins they used to achieve the shots, so I can't tell if people are using SS or something else to have their characters with skin that doesn't look so mute.

 

[hazmhox]

How do you get around skins in VaM looking greyish and generally lacking color? I've been using SS but the combination of issues it has with a few other frequently used plugins and clothing items/scalps having grey spots has me second guessing if it's worth continuing to use. I look at images in the media tab and there are some great shots, but none of them say what plugins they used to achieve the shots, so I can't tell if people are using SS or something else to have their characters with skin that doesn't look so mute.

99% of shots that look nice are because of:

• Light
• Skin color tone
• Light
• and light

All the friends in the community doing nice shots do not use SSS.

Generally when you're aiming for a specific tone in the light, you adjust skin tone based on that, and vice versa... or both. You can adjust light and skin color. No fancy shader is gonna make a bad/average lighting look good. It could compensate in some situation, but SSS is not gonna make shots look great magically.

The SSS plugin page is actually a great example... even tho I respect the work involved in the plugin itself, none of the shots "demoing" the plugin look remotely close to nice.

 

[SlimerJSpud]

LUTs can improve the lighting too, but I'm not a fan.

 

[hazmhox]

LUTs can improve the lighting too, but I'm not a fan.

Almost 100% of games use LUT/Color grading nowadays
(it's more color grading than light improvement btw)

 

[SortaLewd]

99% of shots that look nice are because of:

• Light
• Skin color tone
• Light
• and light

All the friends in the community doing nice shots do not use SSS.

Generally when you're aiming for a specific tone in the light, you adjust skin tone based on that, and vice versa... or both. You can adjust light and skin color. No fancy shader is gonna make a bad/average lighting look good. It could compensate in some situation, but SSS is not gonna make shots look great magically.

The SSS plugin page is actually a great example... even tho I respect the work involved in the plugin itself, none of the shots "demoing" the plugin look remotely close to nice.

Thanks, gonna have to get better with lighting and adjusting skin tone then. Getting good at scene lighting is going to be a trial of its own lol.

 

[hazmhox]

Thanks, gonna have to get better with lighting and adjusting skin tone then. Getting good at scene lighting is going to be a trial of its own lol.

If it's for shoots/virtual photography, you can take a look at Studio Maestro, if you're not used to lighting, this is a good starting point : )