I am trying to put rounded edges on a model, but always end up with nasty looking shading effects when I render.

I tried some experiments with a simpler cubic model (see enclosed image), but still get the same problematic results. The strange thing is that even flat surfaces show these shading artefacts, such as the top of the main cube.

Is there an alternative approach to getting the rounded edges?

www.CambrianMoons.com

You got to lower the phong angle until those "artifacts" are gone. :)

“The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite insane.” Nikola Tesla

I've had no luck changing the phong angle, but thanks for the suggestion.

www.CambrianMoons.com

Although the object looks simple enough, you will always run into trouble using convex bevels on a model like this.

Like strata said, decreasing the phong angle often helps. With convex bevels, however, you can only decrease it so much before you get a facetted look. Besides decreasing the phong angle, you can also try to perform an inner extrude on the polygons.

In your image, the geometry after beveling is a mess. Neither of the above tips will do you much good. Why did you bevel pretty much all the edges to begin with? That's part of your problem. Only bevel the ones you really need to bevel.

Do you really need those convex bevels? If you just want to get highlights on the edges and make them look more realistic a simple bevel with no subdivisions is all you need. Any resulting problems are much easier to clean up, too.

Possible other solutions you might want to check out:

• Chamfermaker (plugin) (non-destructive)
• SolidChamfer (Plugin)
• EdgeShade (plugin)
• do it in MoI; stuff like that Nurbs modeling apps can handle much better than C4D
• best solution, in my opinion, if you want clean geometry and don't want to try any of the above and stick to what can be done in C4D, is to use HN; put the unbeveled object in an HN and add support edges where needed; make the object editable if necessary and remove all geometry that is not required, then continue adding detail as required

Cheers
contrafibbularities

Quote - In your image, the geometry after beveling is a mess. Neither of the above tips will do you much good. Why did you bevel pretty much all the edges to begin with?

That was the design I was looking for, all outer edges of the shape to be rounded.

Quote -  If you just want to get highlights on the edges and make them look more realistic a simple bevel with no subdivisions is all you need.

I tried subdivisions 0, but this has a similar problem but without the rounded edges I wanted.

I'll look at the options you mentioned.

www.CambrianMoons.com

I tried subdivisions 0, but this has a similar problem but without the rounded edges I wanted.
Just reduce the phong angle to something like 33 degrees, doing a linear bevel really shouldn't cause any problems:

Wire:

 

Some more examples:

1a) HN

1b) HN wire

2a) SolidChamfer (plugin)

2b) Solid Chamfer wire (yikes, too many subdivisions :-) )

3. Modo: Modo has a feature called "Rounded Edge Width". I guess it's basically what Edge Shade for C4D would do. Bottom image shows the actual geometry (no edge bevels), top left shows GI render preview with "Rounded Edge Width" enabled. It's a bit small, but I guess you can still see the effect. Of course, this is only useful if all edges need the same bevels, the setting you choose will be applied uniformly to all unbeveled edges.
   

Thanks for your previous post; there are more options than I realised.

I have decided to go for SolidChamfer, as this lets me create edges with large radii.

Just waiting for my serial number to come through....

www.CambrianMoons.com

That HyperNurbs option is pretty much how I'd model that shape in Wings - using edge loups for control - works pretty well too.

*note to self, do more modelling in C4D...

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by the shade it casts.
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Fran's Freestuff

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http://www.FranOnTheEdge.com

solidchamfer is amazing! well worth using if you arent already. looking at your screen cap do you need to have bevels in the top of the cube? if you arent after a recessed effect they need removing, in solidchamfer its a two second job, into edge mode then use ring selection and most of it is done,just choose your level of rounding and thats it :-)

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