Any point still having GMT offset?

[Seekerfinder]

From the current manual: Month / Day / GMT Offset / Local Time: These parameters can be used to accurately place the sun in the sky according to the date / time for the sun at the current longitude / latitude

It seems there are too many variables here. Having to manually set the GMT offset introduces human error potential if we want to get accurate 3D shadow/light studies.

Would it not be simpler if Octane sets the GMT offset automatically based on the geo-location (i.e. remove the control)? It would save us from having to find out if a client in Reykjavik has daylight saving time or not - and if so, having to change the GMT once we cross over the daylight savings dates. We have North offset geo-location for artistic freedom and full time/date control.

Perhaps others have uses for the GTM Offset setting that I am missing?

Best,
Seeker

[kavorka]

I use it to fine tune where my shadows are going

[ephdot]

I think it makes sense to have it in there. You could be doing an arch-vis for a customer in LA and you are in NY.

As Kavorka indicated, I tend to use for just tweaking shadows. Rarely is the actual location/time of any real consequence for me.

[grimm]

I wish there was a north offset as well. Some times you just want to point the sun where you want it and not have to hunt and peck to get it pointed right.

[Seekerfinder]

I use it to fine tune where my shadows are going

We've got date settings and north offset to do that to the nth degree.

I think it makes sense to have it in there. You could be doing an arch-vis for a customer in LA and you are in NY.

How is the Octane user's location relevant? If your customer is in LA, you set the scene location to LA, not NY, no?

I wish there was a north offset as well. Some times you just want to point the sun where you want it and not have to hunt and peck to get it pointed right.

Grimm, I just arranged that for you and installed it on your version of Octane overnight. If you look between the power and daylight model settings (in Daylight Environment), you will now find a north offset... (thank me later) - though I did mention that small detail in my original post.

Ok, seems like the message is not getting across. Lets try again...
The default GMT offset is that of Auckland, which is GMT+12. However, when we move the location, it stays GMT+12... This should not be. It should be computed in a 'physically based' piece of software, relevant to both location and time of year (taking into account local daylight savings adjustments). Again (for those not reading the full post) there are other ways of tweaking shadows / daylight to get the exact effect you want. GMT offset should not be one of them...

GMT OFFSET - CORRECT.jpg

GMT OFFSET - INCORRECT.jpg

Best,
Seeker

[grimm]

I wish there was a north offset as well. Some times you just want to point the sun where you want it and not have to hunt and peck to get it pointed right.

Grimm, I just arranged that for you and installed it on your version of Octane overnight. If you look between the power and daylight model settings (in Daylight Environment), you will now find a north offset... (thank me later) - though I did mention that small detail in my original post.
Seeker

*sigh* Ya know, I don't know how many times I have looked at that panel. Thanks, I will go crawl under my rock now.

Although it would be nice if they would put in the day/night terminator on the world display.

[ephdot]

I think it makes sense to have it in there. You could be doing an arch-vis for a customer in LA and you are in NY.

How is the Octane user's location relevant? If your customer is in LA, you set the scene location to LA, not NY, no?

My bad with regard to the location. Somehow I read your post as setting it automatically based upon the location (locale settings) of the PC running Octane. That'll teach me to reply when I'm a few glasses of wine deep.