Why is the Base Colour set to 0.8 as a default?

[theo]

Shouldn't the Base Colour be set to 1.0 as a default? If I add a texture map to the right-hand side of the colour swatch and leave the default setting at 0.8, the texture map is only at 80 percent of its brightness.

[xebajac]

Because in real life nothing is 100 percent white or of its colour

[vladtofan]

ok, but then why not 0.9 ?

[theo]

I understand your point about the colour, but a texture map set to 0.8 kills it.

[xebajac]

JUst set it to 1.0 then i always forget too

[vladtofan]

xebajac@zdfpost.net xebajac@zdfpost.net is this your final answer ?

[Stephen.Blair · Accepted solution]

The default value is not 100% white mainly for two reasons. One is as xebajac wroter earlier, that most physical materials will not have albedos beyond 80-90% (even those that appear to be pure white or mirrorlike). Another reason for this default is that the slight loss of energy in GI bounces makes it easier for Arnold to more aggressively discard secondary rays in GI bounces, which somewhat cheapens the IPR process until your final values are dialed in.