Stylized vs Physically-Based Ray Tracing — Blender 3.2 Splash Scene Rendered in My Custom Renderer

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Hi everyone!

I’ve been experimenting with a personal renderer I’m developing called RayTrophi — it supports both CPU-based path tracing and GPU-based OptiX ray tracing. As a test, I used the Blender 3.2 splash screen scene (freely available) with minor modifications to explore how different rendering paths affect the final look.

OptiX (GPU): Fully physical-based, no SSS or HDR. Just raw ray tracing with transmission = 1 for the water. Emphasizes realism in refraction and reflection.

outputres
outputres1920×1080 3.82 MB

  • CPU (Stylized): More painterly/stylized interpretation with softer shading and simplified material behavior.

Would love to hear your thoughts — which one do you find more appealing or expressive? And how do you feel about mixing stylized vs PBR workflows in general?

stylize_cpu
stylize_cpu1680×945 1010 KB

source code https://github.com/maxkemal/RayTrophi

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Oh, I love the second image. It’s as much a question of stylization (“toon” shading, no transmission) as it is due to the desaturation and the stronger contrast between the water surface and the ice.

I’d like to compare these pictures side by side but they aren’t rendered with the same camera so it’s difficult to switch between the two and keep a stable focal point, if you know what I mean.

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In fact, I noticed the difference in resolution and aspect ratio of the same camera and scene later. Thank you for your criticism

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I featured you on BlenderNation, have a great weekend!