Thank you, Thomas. So glad you liked the animation.
This was my first Octane project render from about a year ago. I have learned a few things since then, but as you can see, not enough. There is a great deal I would do differently, if I were starting this now.
By "3D viewport", I meant the Carrara viewport, but while seeing Octane. Because there is no open GL transparency with Octane Materials, I need to have the Octane viewport up to see what is going on. Can' t always simply hide the model, as parts must be seen ( and splitting the models can get too complicated in many cases).
Yes, the glossy materials are pretty intense. I became really intrigued with the possibility of showing, for example, a tongue surface with great detail. I think I started with one of the Tony Sculptor skins. I may have used the Hot pixel remover....but probably not correctly..ha.
Want to get into SSS more, as you suggest, but wanted the wetness for the models in this case.
I need to be more strategic with scenes like the screwdriver. But usually, I have some tissue edge or the like, in front of a device.
As mentioned, Premiere is pretty handy for some transparency compositing......but I really would like to do all the heavy lifting with Octane. I am finding that this is a more accurate way to work. ... and more fun for me. There is so much to explore with Octane. And when you and Simon get particles working....wow!