Smudgy shadows and weird reflections

[PhilippeV8]

I have build my first real setup for animation and our company will let 3dotp render it out.
However, since they can not use "max time" in network rendering, we need to find a setup that works with "max sample" or andvanced render settings.
Even at 600+ samples per frame, we keep running into these 2 issues.
One is smudgy shadows on certain parts.
It's something I run into as well when I turn off "sharp shadows" on the advanced render settings.  But if I remember correctly, turning that option on makes for real dark shadows all over the rendering.

The other issue is weird reflections in one of the windows.  These reflections change with every frame so give a nasty flicker in the final movie.

Any idea how to fix this (pronto) ?  We need this rendered out within the next 48h.

PS: none of these issues appear if I use "max time" on my machine here.  However, obviously, I do not have enough machine power here to render the entire animation.

[Chad Holton]

Hi Philippe,

What version are you running exactly? Does cranking up the shadow quality in the advanced settings help at all?

Chad

[PhilippeV8]

Steve from 3dotp fixed this issue.

"Did get the shadow issue fixed.  Had to turn off Global Illumination and turn up Sharpen Shadows."

We're all good here now, thnx!