OctaneRender® for Blender

The Trace Set system allows for greater control over including or excluding scene data from object surfaces when light hits the surface (figure 1). It is similar the visibility settings in the Object Layer node but provides a deeper level of control that can be used across multiple objects.

Figure 1: The screw object's Trace Set is excluded from the reflection on the floor plane

Objects can be added to a trace set by giving them a trace set name in the Trace Set Visibility List under the Object Layer rollout in the Octane Object Properties found in the Object tab (figure 2).

Figure 2: Adding trace set names

The trace set names can then be referenced by other objects in their Trace Set Visibility List to determine what characteristics are excluded or reincluded on the object. Clicking the + button will create a new Trace Set Visibility Rule where these parameters can be set (figure 3). 

Figure 3: Creating a Trace Set Visibility Rule

Trace Set Parameters

Exclude - The trace set names to include, separated by commas. These set names are added to scene objects in the Trace Sets parameter under the Object Layer parameter set for each scene object. 

Reinclude - Comma-separated list of names of trace sets to be treated as visible again for future hits in light paths that hit objects with this trace set applied, after potentially having been excluded by an earlier bounce. 

Reflection, Refraction, Diffuse, Shadow - Determines the type of light path bounces to apply to objects in a named trace set. 

Apply to Future Hits - Determines how this trace set rule applies to future light path bounces. 

• All Future Hits - After a bounce to which this rule applies, this rule will continue to apply. 
• Next Hit Only - This rule only applies when considering the next hit after the current bounce, and future hits will be treated as if this rule does not apply. 
• All Future Hits After Next Hit - This rule only applies when considering the future of light path hits after the next hit.