Learn to replicate the lighting, textures, and colors of the real world in 3D scenes
Producer and VFX artist Ro Bot has worked in advertising and more recently for productions such as The Walking Dead, Club de Cuervos and Heroes Reborn. He has always used light as a volumetric element that brings realism to his 3D scenes.
In this online course, he teaches you how to work with photorealism from a less technical and more functional approach, generating credible images from CGI renders that allow you to imitate reality, transforming it at will.
This course is complementary to VFX Techniques for ArchViz Projects, where Ro Bot teaches you how to elevate your architectural visualization projects by integrating CGI and video.
What will you learn in this online course?
15 lessons & 17 downloads
Perception, psychology and storytelling
15 minutes, 21 seconds
Photography and technology
10 minutes, 59 seconds
Rendering engines I: the engine and the workstation
19 minutes, 36 seconds
Rendering engines II: familiarize yourself with your engine
14 minutes, 44 seconds
illumination
16 minutes, 23 seconds
Shaders
15 minutes, 36 seconds
What's included in this course?
Begin by learning the fundamental concepts to help you create incredible photorealistic images, as well as explore the relationship between rendering and photography.
Discover two different rendering engines. Ro Bot explains the similarities and differences between their interfaces and everything you can do with each one, so you can choose the ideal one for each project.
Next, jump right into your project and see the workflow Ro Bot typically uses to create a base lighting scheme, both indoors and outdoors.
Now create shaders, develop materials and textures, and pay special attention to areas that, despite being especially complicated, make all the difference to the final image.
Once your image is almost finished, move on to the color grading process to help give your render a more realistic look.
Recommended software & tools for this course
What is this course's project?
Develop a lighting scheme, textures, and color to apply to a scene full of nuances, with the aim of imitating reality.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Designers, CGI artists, VFX, and anyone interested in looking for a realistic effect in their renders.
Requirements and materials
Previous knowledge of 3D design and rendering engines is recommended for this course.
You also need a computer with a 3D design program installed. Ro Bot uses 3DMax, Corona, and FStorm as render engines, but you can use whatever you feel most comfortable with.
Reviews
- 3 years ago
Mas que un curso es una muestra de cómo trabaja. Muy bueno todo el contenido pero es mas para admirar que para utilizarlo como base para hacer proyectos propios, ya que el ritmo es muy rápido y no explica de donde salen los detalles técnicos.
- 3 years ago
Muy recomendado!
- 3 years ago
Muito bom Curso. Recomendo!
- 3 years ago
Excelente!
- 4 years ago
Buen curso, es un excelente complemento para vfx
With the creation of WhiteRabbit Studio he began his foray into film and became a pioneer when introducing VFX for series on platforms such as Netflix, working on the first original content generated in Mexico. His works have been exhibited in the international selection of Autodesk 'Best of the best' and have been finalists in Cannes Shortlist with advertising projects.
Most recently he became one of the founders of Stargate Studios MC , leading VFX projects for series such as Heroes Reborn , The Walking Dead or Fear the Walking Dead, among others.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- Influences
- U2
General concepts
- Perception, psychology and storytelling
- Photography and technology
- U3
Render
- Rendering engines I: the engine and the workstation
- Rendering engines II: familiarize yourself with your engine
- illumination
- Shaders
- Shaders II
- Fine detail
- Fine detail II
- U4
Refinement and color
- Lightroom vs. color correctors
- Mood
- U5
Bonus
- Extra scene I
- Extra scene II
- FP
Final project
- Creation of photorealistic 3D images
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
Photorealism in rendering means creating digital images that look almost indistinguishable from real photos. It’s achieved by combining accurate lighting, PBR materials, and advanced rendering techniques using engines like FStorm, along with post-production tools to seamlessly blend virtual and real elements.
Yes, this course is designed for students at an intermediate level in rendering and 3D modeling who already have basic knowledge and want to refine advanced techniques and workflows in VFX integration and photorealism.
You should have basic experience in 3D modeling, familiarity with software like 3ds Max and Photoshop, and elementary knowledge of materials and lighting in digital environments.
You’ll learn how to integrate digital and real elements, create PBR materials, fine-tune advanced lighting, simulate optical effects, use engines like FStorm, apply post-production techniques, and manage complex scenes to produce photorealistic images for architecture and commercial projects.
You’ll need 3ds Max, FStorm Render, Photoshop, and optionally Fusion or Lightroom for post-production and color grading. Having a dedicated GPU is recommended to boost rendering performance.
They’re integrated using compositing techniques, color adjustments, hybrid lighting, and blending organic and mechanical elements to create visual harmony between 3D objects and real or photographed environments.
FStorm stands out for its user-friendliness, natural lighting quality, efficient handling of PBR materials, and fast GPU rendering—perfect for achieving realistic images in architecture and VFX.