RandomControl adds SSS to Arion renderer
Subsurface scattering in Arion 1.5.1. There’s something odd about those raspberries, but the rest look good.
RandomControl has released an update to Arion, its hybrid CPU/GPU-based renderer, adding a range of new features including a subsurface scattering system.
Arion 1.5.1 (the numbering suggests a minor update; it isn’t) adds both standard and single-sheet subsurface scattering: the latter originally introduced in its sister product, fryrender.
Other new features include a ‘mathematically pure’ implementation of BRDF the developer claims is unique to Arion: “Nobody [else] has addressed that problem fully so far. All the known models have some degree of energy loss, half-working compensation or are not compatible with some features like anisotropy.”
Improved speed-to-noise ratio
Real-world performance has also been improved: both through better noise convergence in full-quality renders; and through the introduction of features designed to generate usable images faster, such as the new Draft render mode and ‘rough dielectrics’.
Other new features include support for real-world units in emitters, improved dielectrics and physical sky, material and wireframe override modes and new compositing channels, including Roughness and Fresnel.
Arion is compatible with most 3D applications, although, being CUDA-based, you’ll need a Nvidia GPU.
The upgrade is free to registered users of Arion 1.x. New single-user licences cost €795 (around $1,060).