I've added some brows from the pack above and then attempted an iray render - the brows end up looking like Groucho Marx as if they do not recognize the opacity map.  Am I doing something wrong or is this an issue with an iray render?

Thanks.

Alley

It might be the issue with harsh shadows. Try adjusting the lights shape size: https://forum.reallusion.com/FindPost476727.aspx
(thought it would be good to see the closeup screenshot of the troubled eyebrows)

Thank you for pointing me to that thread.

This is the render with default lighting - there are no options to increase size of shapes (no shapes assigned that I can see)


This is with the 4 way lighting - and increasing the size of the shapes of the lights.  Better but still weird artifacts.


I am trying various light combinations, and increasing the shape radius' to see if any are better.  I'm not very knowledgeable on lighting in iClone.



Alley

Yeah, it's not so simple with different type of lights.

IBL has terrible shadows balance for Iray. Default 4 light IBL produce this horrible render:
(you might get somewhere if you play with IBL angles, but not much). Not recommended unless IBL is given just a touch with specific Image angle. MUST BE FIXED BY RL.



As oppose Iray Sun and Sky has very well balanced shadow. You can get gorgeous renders:





Now switching IBL OFF and using a single Spot Light - 01.Face > Full Light - Front MUST BE FIXED BY RL.



After fixing light shape AND setting IES to Focus in Light Properties to emulate real-time render appearance.
Not too bad at all....




Directional Lights better not be used at all! They got no shapes and very little control over. Do not even want to post screenshot and DO NOT KNOW IF RL EVEN CAN FIX THIS
Did not test Point Lights in this version.

Finally render with Touch IBL_Autumn_Hockey under certain angle and 2 spotlights with fixed shapes.



Bottom line:

Good: Sun and Sky, Spot Lights with Large Shapes and various IES configurations

Bad: Directional Lights, IBL (again unless very subtle and played with angle).

So I just discovered something.  With the angled eyebrows that I believe are free, I can do a render with the iray Sun and Sky as you mention that looks beautiful - thanks.

But with the brows that come with the full pack - there is one that is called "Female Trimmed" which I was using, and that is the one causing the weird remnant between her brows.  I added some of the other brows in the pack and they are fine....so it seems there is an issue with that one option.

Thank you for your help here.

Alley

No problem Alley.
Incidentally, in my tests I also used Female Trimmed brows. But, when I setup appropriate light for Iray I did not really see any of the artifacts.
I mean they are there, but very subtle. Can be barely seen with extreme closeup.
In this render I set opacity to 0 for both brows materials. So those artifacts are definitely shadow based: