Overcast Weather -> V2 (16-08-2010)

[Tangled-Universe]

An overcast lighting study I wanted to try out.
Also tried to simulate a rainy day with rain which just felt freshly from the sky

Rendered at detail 0.8 and AA6. This scene contains 19 populations to create variation.
6 grasses, 5 "dirt" models, 4 bushes, Walli's mouse-ears and trees.
Original resolution was 1920x2520px and took 9h to render.
With lighting like this and no visible clouds there's no need for crazy GI settings

I heavily recommend to view the original size render here:

Thanks a lot Ryan for putting this up on your webpage for me

http://www.archer-designs.com/tangled-universe/130810_final_1920x2520.jpg

Cheers,
Martin

[domdib]

This is an exceptionally fine image Martin. The only things I can see that would push it closer to perfection - a tiny bit of cloud definition in the sky (or are there any clouds?); and a more diffuse reflection from some of the leaves; and perhaps bring the brightness of the whole image down just a little. And I guess that, in the real world, one would expect a bit more variability in the leaf coloration, but that's down to the models. But otherwise, brilliant!

[Tangled-Universe]

This is an exceptionally fine image Martin. The only things I can see that would push it closer to perfection - a tiny bit of cloud definition in the sky (or are there any clouds?); and a more diffuse reflection from some of the leaves; and perhaps bring the brightness of the whole image down just a little. But otherwise, brilliant!

Thanks Dom. The brightish speculars are intentional, as I'd like to simulate a rainy day.
I think the overall brightness is just fine. It shows good definition in the shadows and there's hardly over-exposure.
Here's an example: http://ledgeandgardens.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c991c53ef0133f25bf50b970b-popup

The clouds is a good idea and I was thinking of making another iteration of this scene with exactly the clouds you're talking about.
For this scene I thought it would be better to keep the composition clean and not too "busy".
After all we're Terragen-artists, not Vue

[domdib]

Comparing it with the photo, yes, you've done a great job. I guess I was just revealing my own image preferences.

[Tangled-Universe]

Comparing it with the photo, yes, you've done a great job. I guess I was just revealing my own image preferences.

Yes that's true of course, in the end a lot comes to taste of course
Did you take a look at the higher resolution file?
Unfortunately I can't post the original resolution anywhere, without messing it up due to compression, because it shows better that the speculars are indeed brightish but quite diffuse as well.
Oh well, you can't have everything

[MGebhart]

Very nice. Great use of DOF.

[domdib]

I did look at the bigger one. Unfortunate that compression affects even that. Maybe you should post it as two crops? Then anyone interested could splice it together themselves 

[RArcher]

Very nice Martin!  Were you to render it again I would say to adjust the camera just slightly to remove a bit of the sky.  If you want to send me the full version you are happy with I have no problem hosting it for you.

[Tangled-Universe]

Very nice Martin!  Were you to render it again I would say to adjust the camera just slightly to remove a bit of the sky.  If you want to send me the full version you are happy with I have no problem hosting it for you.

Thanks Ryan
I just sent you an e-mail with the file.

[Tangled-Universe]

Thanks a lot Ryan for putting this up on your webpage for me
Full res now here:

http://www.archer-designs.com/tangled-universe/130810_final_1920x2520.jpg

[domdib]

I see what you mean about the speculars. Much better!

However, I now have one more cavil (sorry!). It seems to me that the DOF effect is slightly overpowering the definition in the grasses, making them look more painted than photographed. I'd be interested to see a version without the DOF (and a new iteration with changed clouds.)

Excelsior!

[Kadri]

Very nice image , Martin 
For me the only problem is that the leaves are too repeated; especially on the big tree . A 3d object problem we can see in most 3d images.
But maybe people who are in 3D are naturally more prone to see this! I doubt that others would immediately notice this.

[Tangled-Universe]

I see what you mean about the speculars. Much better!

However, I now have one more cavil (sorry!). It seems to me that the DOF effect is slightly overpowering the definition in the grasses, making them look more painted than photographed. I'd be interested to see a version without the DOF (and a new iteration with changed clouds.)

Excelsior!

Ghehe
Well, the DOF is 100% accurate, so I'm not going to change it. It adds depth and realism.
Also I'm not going to add clouds, I'm not going to change this into a Vue render
I'll do it in a separate work perhaps Already have some ideas.

Very nice image , Martin 
For me the only problem is that the leaves are too repeated; especially on the big tree . A 3d object problem we can see in most 3d images.
But maybe people who are in 3D are naturally more prone to see this! I doubt that others would immediately notice this.

If I was able to change this then I'd try. What can I do about this myself?
I'm happy to hear about things which I can really change myself

[Kadri]

...
If I was able to change this then I'd try. What can I do about this myself?
I'm happy to hear about things which I can really change myself

Of course it is not you fault  
I wish Xfrog , Planetside or some other company would bring new ways to bring foliage , trees etc. in to 3d programs.
Kind of fractal and not repetitive ones. I think in the end we will see some things in that way. But when , i am curious too  

[Tangled-Universe]

It's not fun to say Kadri, but Vue does this.
Import a .vob Vue model and populate your scene with it and you will end up with every model slightly different from the other in terms of branches, twigs and leafs etc.
Fractal-based, indeed.