Mastering mental ray

Bokeh Lens Effect, Environment Blur, and Blackbody Radiator

A Bokeh effect is a lens effect whereas distant objects are blurred into a specific shape.  With a real camera that pattern’s shape usually matches the number of blades that make up the iris of the camera.  This image shows DOF/Bokeh with a custom “plus” shaped image. You can create your own tiny images of…

A Bokeh effect is a lens effect whereas distant objects are blurred into a specific shape.  With a real camera that pattern’s shape usually matches the number of blades that make up the iris of the camera.  This image shows DOF/Bokeh with a custom “plus” shaped image.

A sample image showing DOF and Bokeh effects

You can create your own tiny images of various shapes to control how rays are blurred in the distance.

The Bokeh shader in Max 2010 is hidden from the user interface, however it can be easily made available to you.   Located in the file:

C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max Design 2010\mentalray\shaders_standard\include

is the file architectural_max.mi which includes the lines:

gui “gui_mia_lens_bokeh” {

control “Global”  ”Global” (

“uiName”      ”Arch: DOF / Bokeh”,

“hidden”