Noob Question

Ok, I DID search, and found a bunch of really different topics…

I have created a render to play with caustics and glass, but it is not turning out how I expected.

If you look at it below, the rings dont look quite transparent, more solid. And the caustics is kinda screwed up.

I have tried toying with settings, but nothing really helps, I either get more dots or the dots get bigger.

Do you have any tips for how to refine the photons?

http://www.battle2142.com/rings.jpg