Ambient occlusion is a shading method used in 3D rendering which helps add realism to the final rendering.

Ambient occlusion is a global rendering method, unlike local shading methods like Phong. What it means is that with ambient occlusion shading illumination at each point depends on other geometry in the scene.

Ambient occlusion is usually calculated by casting rays from the surface of 3d models in all directions. In two words it works like this: The rays that do not intersect any objects increase the brightness of the surface, and the rays which intersect another surface do not contribute illumination. As a result, surfaces surrounded by objects appear dark, whereas points with no geometry around are rendered light. Of course it is a bit more complicated but the principle is this.

Here is an example of using Ambient Occlusion so that you know how it looks:


You can see above how ambient occlusion together with traditional lighting techniques provide more realistic results.


Here is a detailed video tutorial about Using Ambient Occlusion in Maya.


I recommend watching it in HD.


_________________
Andyba, 3d artist
skills: 3d modeling, texturing, rendering, 3d character animation, compositing
3d software experience: 3ds max, Maya, Softimage XSI, Deep Paint 3d, Body Paint 3D, Wings 3D, Z Brush
2d software experience: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After effects, Macromedia Flash, Freehand

Here is a video tutorial on Ambient Occlusion in 3ds max
The tutorial has no sound but it is quite clear in my opinion



_________________
Andyba, 3d artist
skills: 3d modeling, texturing, rendering, 3d character animation, compositing
3d software experience: 3ds max, Maya, Softimage XSI, Deep Paint 3d, Body Paint 3D, Wings 3D, Z Brush
2d software experience: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After effects, Macromedia Flash, Freehand

This is a short video tutorial that will help you find the Ambient Occlusion in Blender


_________________
Andyba, 3d artist
skills: 3d modeling, texturing, rendering, 3d character animation, compositing
3d software experience: 3ds max, Maya, Softimage XSI, Deep Paint 3d, Body Paint 3D, Wings 3D, Z Brush
2d software experience: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After effects, Macromedia Flash, Freehand

Oh ambient occlusion looks so beautiful. Is not GI but it has most of its looks.

Cartoon characters look particularly beautiful with it and I also like the way very high polygon models look with it in white or a light color.

I also done a few simple scenes with GI in Blender with Yafray and I love the way they look.

Nowadays I'm using Blender's built in ambient occlusion and with my new i7 PC it runs pretty fast even if I use it in raytrace mode instead of the simulated mode and I just love it.

Also Blender's ambient occlusion has improved a whole lot in the latest versions. It's way better than the way it was when I first started to use it many years ago cause it was too grainy and now the models can look much more smoother.

Thanks for the tutorial Andybas. I myself just add the AO pass over the image in PS.

very cool. Thank you!

Amazing blog! Continue the informative posts.

These things are great. Thanks so much for putting this and other items up. They're incredibly helpful.

Hey just becoming a member, glad to be in! I'm glad to be right here last but not least, heading to submit considering I've been studying a lengthy time.

Sooo anyways, sufficient info about me, see you all around and hello again haha.

BTW where is the option to change the little picture thingy like some people have, I like it but can't figure it out haha

Nice work! Very helpful. AO really gives the work an edge.

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