Is there a way to create a 3d ramp node within Maya (or something that achieves the same effect)?
I'm working on a visual development model and I'm basically trying to cheat in an ao layer for visualization purposes within the viewport (you'll see below why turning on AO doesn't solve my problem).
The asset is a layer of rocks on top of a light source (so basically, light shines through the cracks). If this were a final asset, I might try using an AO map and linking it to the translucence node or something like that, but since it's just a visual development model there are no final UVs or even final rock placement yet. We're just trying to sell the look of picture and want to be able to visualize how this asset will look as we tumble around the scene with the director.
My thought process is, that if I can create a 3d ramp node (and just map white at the bottom of the ramp and the rock color at the top of the ramp), as I move the rocks up they'll turn gray and as I move the rocks down (closer to where the light source is) they'll turn white (thereby mimicking the light shining through).
The reason I don't want to throw on some UVs and bake out an AO map, is because the model is very much still in progress. So as we move rocks around within the pile, the ao map would become inaccurate and the light would be shining through in areas we don't want.
Sorry, I wish I could share pictures so that I could explain it more clearly, but obviously I can't for confidentiality purposes haha
Any help or ideas would be much appreciated. Thanks!
