Random walk multi-spectrum SSS in the PBSDF material

In previous versions of LightWave, sub-surface scattering was created using diffuse lighting. New to LightWave 2020 is the far superior Random Walk multi-spectrum SSS. The math is complex and can take longer to calculate, but the result is much better subsurface scattering. The settings in the Principled BSDF Material are similar to those in LightWave 2019 but the effect is far more controllable.

SSS used to have three control settings but now has four. Now, the Subsurface Scattering color input gives the scattering radius of the three colors not the base color of the subsurface scattering itself and uses Color as an input. To make a flesh tone, make the main Color a skin color and make Subsurface pinkish to scatter red more than green or blue.

Renders courtesy Andrew Comb. Mutant model by Luis Santos

Render courtesy Tim Laird, who says, "The node setup uses the component nodes. Two SSS nodes, one fully forward scattering (blue), and the other one fully backward scattering (orange). It then uses their respective SSS distance settings to mix the SSS. Then I added an iridescence fresnel with the GGX reflection, to give that look."

A comparison between 2019.1.5 and 2020:

Note the Subsurface amount is much reduced in 2019.1.5 for a more accurate comparison with 2020