Subsurface scattering on Blender 4.x

Question

Any tips on how to achieve realistic subsurface scattering on newer blender versions? There’s no subsurface color, and no single value for subsurface scattering (now there are scale and a weight which behaves differently)

Answer 1 · 2024-08-16T07:42:51Z

Martin Bergwerf replied August 16, 2024 7:42am

Solution

Hi Dudu,

The 'old' single Value is now the Scale ( maybe not a 1 to 1 conversion, but larger models need a larger Scale value). The Weight should be set to 1 for SSS and to 0 if there is no SSS (like the Metallic slider, either 0 or 1 for realistic results).

The Subsurface Color has been removed, as it was more confusing than useful (the effect was only noticeable with high SSS values).

Hope this helps a bit.

Answer 2 · 2024-08-16T08:56:33Z

Adrian Bellworthy replied August 16, 2024 8:56am

"The Weight should be set to 1 for SSS and to 0 if there is no SSS (like the Metallic slider, either 0 or 1 for realistic results)."
You would think this could be a check box to enable or disable SSS and Metallic. 🤷‍♂️

Answer 3 · 2024-08-16T08:59:36Z

Martin Bergwerf replied August 16, 2024 8:59am

That is true, Adrian,

my guess is that this is done to be able to create non-realistic results; Blender is all about freedom, that includes artistic freedom.

Answer 4 · 2024-08-16T09:13:35Z

Adrian Bellworthy replied August 16, 2024 9:13am

Yeah! But it always seems to bother me when I see the non-realistic results. It just seems lazy not create proper materials, especially for still renders.
For animations I can understand, keeping it simple and efficient and most people won't notice anyway.