Ger wrote:

Thanks for your input, it is very inspiring. See comments below.
> //...............................................
> global_settings {
>         max_trace_level 255
>         photons {
>                 count 1000000
>                 autostop 0
>                 jitter .1
>                 }
>         }
> 
That is a very high count. I'm using default value. I start to 
understand why I don't get caustics
My photons settings:
   photons {
   	spacing 1/2
	gather 20,100
   	max_trace_level 300
   	jitter 0.4
   	adc_bailout 0.01
   	save_file "newt.photons"
   }

And radiosity block:
   radiosity {
     samples 1
     pretrace_start 0.08
     pretrace_end   0.01
     count 800
     nearest_count 8
     error_bound 0.07
     recursion_limit 2
     low_error_factor .5
     gray_threshold 0.0
     minimum_reuse 0.015
     brightness 1 //0.7
     adc_bailout 0.01/2
     normal on
     randomize on
     //media on
     max_sample 1.0
     load_file "newt.radiosity"
     always_sample no
   }

> // light source just inside the ashtray
> light_source{ 0 color rgb <1,1,1>*4 translate <-160,0.51,40>
>         photons {
>                 refraction on
>                 reflection on
>         }}

Mmm that's interesting. My lightsource has no photons attached :-\

> #declare YourBlobbyGlassThing =
>         blob.................. etc
>         
>         material { M_Glass3 }
>         photons {
>                 target
>                 refraction on
>                 reflection on
>                 collect on
>                 }
> 
>         }
>         

photons block of the blob:
   photons{
     target 0.05
     refraction on
     reflection on
     collect off // **
   }

Why did you switch on collect? Doesn't that mean that photons are not 
exiting the object after they hit it?
> object { YourBlobbyGlassThing }

> With the ashtray this used ~1Gb memory and 70~80 hours to render at 1200 x
> 600 pixels, so you might want to lower the count first :)

I'm hoping that won't be the time for my render... Did you render with 
saved photons or calculate the photons dyuring the actual render.

My idea is now to do as follows:
1. Render @ 80x40 with photons, radiosity and lightsource on; save_file 
for photons and radiosity
2. Render @ 800x400 with lightsource off and HDR image on, load_file for 
photons and radiosity.

I think I'll also try out what happens if I switch on/off radiosity as 
George Patazopoulos suggested the scene does not need it. I'm not 
convinced but the render results will show.

Bedankt for your help,
-- 
Maurice

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