I've been working on few champ-style sports rings - what's even sweeter is that for the first time, I got to use MoI while "on the clock"! :-)

Special thanks to the person that created the gemstone model.
Here is a small taste, until I can complete and render more. (This is an extreme close-up)







Kerkythea Boost (beta) is what I currently use for rendering with MLT mode, depth of field and value was tweaked in the gemstone material to refract light color.

One thing I have to constantly consider: Adding fillets to the edges of all surfaces with a reflective quality is a must to add that real glint effect.
Wonder if some rendering engines allow you to add this feature as part of processing?

Hi Mike, wow looks fantastic! Extreme bling!

- Michael

True gem :)
Maybe you can try Cycles or Yafaray of Blender ? (a cool price as it's free :)
http://www.blenderwonder.blogspot.com/

<< Wonder if some rendering engines allow you to add this feature as part of processing?>>
As you probably know Kerkythea have one: select model in left panel, right click then bevel (weak, normal, strong)
but I think its not usable with unbiased modes

.. great improvements in your renderings..good goin',Mike !!

That look great... Nice closeup.

Peace,
Rich_Art. ;-)

Thank guys!!!

ycarry> As you probably know Kerkythea have one: select model in left panel, right click then bevel (weak, normal, strong)
but I think its not usable with unbiased modes
Thanks! It's worth a look into. I'll play with different modes often to compare qualities.

Since I find myself doing mostly interior and object based scenes, the "Metropolis Light Transport (BiPT)" has been my favorite because it really does a thorough job with caustics, shadows and subtle indirect lighting qualities. But the sacrifice is time. If I can wait to see it in the morning, then the result is often worth the wait.
There's also something called "super sampling" that I plan on looking in to. I still have a ton to learn about the subtleties of setting material variables.

nice renders, but who would wear such an ugly thing?

LoL! We asked the very same question, Macray! ;-)

They feel like they weigh half a pound, and I can't seriously believe that anyone would sport them on a daily basis.
I'd categorize them as wearable trophies - most the time they stay in the display case, you only take them out when you want to trade war stories with your team mates.

This guy has 6 of them:

http://bestplayerintheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/anderson-12.jpg