I just did some tests on a simple model to demonstrate the effects of the new (in V12.1) Clear Sky, Partly Cloudy and Overcast feature in Advanced rendering and the results appear to be quite effective. As the images show, Clears Sky renders the sun very bright on the wall and floor, while Partly Cloudy shows some of he 'marble' texture in the sunlight on the floor. As one would expect with Overcast there is no specific sunlight but a natural brighter glow on the pillars near the top of the wall opening and a general glow on the floor. All appear to render the sunlight quite realistically for each setting. As in V12.0, the Background image (in this case just a blue sky) still does not reflect in the shiny floor so unfortunately this has not been fixed yet, but the cloud settings are a useful addition.
Anyone have any idea where the dark lines on the floor reflection of the columns comes from? They are not on the colums in the first place to reflect!
Allan
Nice test and results are a good comparison of the sky effect.
I don't know where or why the columns render rectangles on the floor but I could guess.....first I"d think it is a bug and could be from either math construct of columns or the applied materials....
so I'd try renders with other materials or try with same material of a different scale....even a small scale change may make a significant difference
then I'd try either moving the columns a small amount (not likely since problem is duplicated in many locations) or change the construct by changing the size (height) and/or location (elevation) and see if the "bars" move with the column....could try a different .3ds column model instead of "column" or use a rectangular "cube" to overcome the vertexes/faces. Model construct may have errors....export the object and view as .3ds or dwg or dxf and see if a problem, fix the model, import, re-try render.
Also just read this:
"Another note: Ceiling height setting affects how light is rendered in the True view. i.e. if your ceiling height is 8' but your ceiling is vaulted up to 12' and your light fixture is at 11', it will not render correctly"
from here:
http://www.cadsoft1.com/customercare/viewtopic.php?t=5281