New to FStorm: Have a couple of questions

[Lycan17]

First of all let me congratulate Karba on creating such a lightweight yet extensive and fast GPU renderer. I've only used FStorm for a couple of days now and it looks highly promising. Unfortunately, because of a frivolous lawsuit being currently tackled by Andrey, the download and documentation sections are down.

I hope someone here will be kind enough to answer a few questions:

1. From which release onwards was CUDA Toolkit 8 for leveraging Pascal implemented into FStorm? Or if v0.3.8a runs with CUDA 8?
2. I've checked out all the tutorials, but is there any downloadable copy for the detailed documentation or any other alternative? If not, please clarify exactly what GI Clamp, Ray Threshold and Static Noise do. And how to choose an appropriate light samples value. I have a vague idea, but better to have precise meanings.
3. Is there any way to get simple refractive and reflective caustics like V-Ray GI does? Is full caustics planned?
4. Does FStorm always render at a 16-bit depth or is there a specific setting for getting 32-bit full float images? Or is 32-bit not currently supported by consumer grade GPUs?

[Iskánder ivp87]

Well... for what I've been told, there’s not caustics support, and sadly it seems karba hasn’t plans on implement it
hope it helps

[Joofus]

[*]Does FStorm always render at a 16-bit depth or is there a specific setting for getting 32-bit full float images? Or is 32-bit not currently supported by consumer grade GPUs?[/LIST]

You need to unchek tonemapped setting for saving imege at 32-bit.

[Joofus]

[*]From which release onwards was CUDA Toolkit 8 for leveraging Pascal implemented into FStorm? Or if v0.3.8a runs with CUDA 8?[*]I've checked out all the tutorials, but is there any downloadable copy for the detailed documentation or any other alternative? If not, please clarify exactly what GI Clamp, Ray Threshold and Static Noise do. And how to choose an appropriate light samples value. I have a vague idea, but better to have precise meanings.[/LIST]

You can find some infor about noise setting here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jM6ctQQENYs&t=18s

I ussualy use all basic setting except: 1)light samples(then u got a lot of lights u need to increase the value to 8/16/32
2)Gi clamp (You need to find the best way for each new project, cos it's about a balance of speed and realistic light for exemple 0.1 is very fast but some sceen will be too dark. 1 it's more realistic light, but it's too slowly/ I like to use 0.5 ot's like a happy medium. But some time i use 0.1 for speed and dark mood) It's just my personal filing after lot's tests with some Kabra's helps.

[Lycan17]

You need to unchek tonemapped setting for saving imege at 32-bit.

I've tried that, but the image itself renders at 16bits/channel and of course I can save it as 32-bit EXR but fact remains the dynamic range is still 16bits and blown highlights get clamped much earlier.

[Joofus]

I've tried that, but the image itself renders at 16bits/channel and of course I can save it as 32-bit EXR but fact remains the dynamic range is still 16bits and blown highlights get clamped much earlier.

Hm... I had the same problem when i use ArionFX, but when I turned off tonemapped (in the setting and in a camera also) I earned the full range in ArionFX.
Wait Kabra maby he can help u/

[Iskánder ivp87]

I've tried that, but the image itself renders at 16bits/channel and of course I can save it as 32-bit EXR but fact remains the dynamic range is still 16bits and blown highlights get clamped much earlier.

yes, by disabling the tone mapping you gain a lot of dynamic range, you just have to work out the correct exposure and keep an eye in the highlights

[Lycan17]

Hm... I had the same problem when i use ArionFX, but when I turned off tonemapped (in the setting and in a camera also) I earned the full range in ArionFX.
Wait Kabra maby he can help u/

yes, by disabling the tone mapping you gain a lot of dynamic range, you just have to work out the correct exposure and keep an eye in the highlights

Thanks, turning off tonemapping altogether helps in saving the image as a true 32 bit file.