Can’t post a link without permission, probably because I am new. And I cannot upload a zipped file. Unless I am missing something.
Posts aren’t showing up for some reason, is there some limit to how much a new poster can post? Oh, and I can’t use links or upload zipped files.
I sent you a PM containing the link. I have to go for now, but I’ll check in later on.
Thank you so much for your help!
Change the sun lamp to a regular lamp, then try to rerender it.
Getting even better. Add another side to the box to get rid of that white in the left.
Rendering it now. I initially left that side blank because it didn’t show up in the Render - forgot to add it in. I find that if I completely block it in, it get’s a lot darker. If it does it this time, I’ll just up the energy on the lamps and rerender it.
You could also move the camera so you just dont see it 
True, but I like the angle I have it at in that picture - provides a good perspective. So it is easier to add another side, or I could have rotated the hilt and camera. Meh, it’s too late right now - almost done rendering. So far the lighting seems OK on it. Once I am done with the lighting and such, I think I need to add some more detail to the top of the button on the hilt - the blank gold doesn’t really cut it, it is supposed to have more detail.
Have to rerender it again, accidentally moved the rendering screen while it was rendering and it wouldn’t show half of it again after it was done.
If that happens, just move it around a little or you can save it and it will all be there.
The end is still hard (try another subsurf level), but other than that, its looking great.
Here’s another render with the end of it having another subsurf level. Compared to the original render I had, this one looks much better I think. I’m happy with it, with the exception of a few details.
Attachments
One thing I learned really quickly when I first started - Lighting can make or break a great model. I think lighting is about 70% of the battle actually.
Would you consider the lighting on this to be acceptable? Or should I change them around a bit? I think it looks OK with the lighting I have now, but I would like another opinion.
Thanks again for your help.
Lighting is good, the materials just need some tweaking a bit. You’ll learn tricks as you go along, for your first serious work, this is good.
Thanks. I am updating the button with more detail, not sure how it will look right now, but I’ll post an image of it when it is done to my liking.
The model is nice, but the materials and lightning aren’t quite showing off the model the way they should.
Keep in mind that shadows are never black because of bounce light, and also that clean, shiny piece of metal like that would be much more reflective in that. Give it a reflection map- I don’t think there’s enough for it to naturally reflect on its own and still look good. Maybe bump up the spec hardness as well.
Hmm, I should probably update my first post with my current image. I’ll do that when I finish this render.
Thanks for your input Alden :eyebrowlift: I’ve updated it a lot since the first post.