Set design complete (almost)

With the exception of some color correction and texture on the stove, the work here is done and only animation remains. Lighting was further optimized, although still not super smooth, and all raytracing elements were added. Without raytracing (useful for the majority of shots), the frame you're looking at here renders in 25 seconds. With raytracing, the shot renders in 1:25 (still not super bad) much better than where we started.

The animation should go fast and rendering should go faster. We're so close I can almost taste it!

Ok... ok, enough already! we know you've been itching for an update of some kind. Here is a preview of our scene, lit for an optimized render time, but almost fully untextured. The first render is close to our envisioned lighting setup, however, it's running away at about 1:46 per frame without the added detail. The second render is likely what we will be using for lighting, at least to turn in our "finished" project (John has already given us the go-ahead on this). The re-render will commence after the completion of the first product, taking more time, but being free of deadlines.
The second render, if you're wondering, is currently being spit out at roughly 31 seconds per frame... much more manageable at this point in the game. Enjoy the view!