Keeping it on track!

Started by Jonathan, February 24, 2012, 03:48:28 AM

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Jonathan

Hi All,

As there seem to be lots of pics depicting tracks and roads (including mine) I wanted to have one last go...again basing the terrain on the Somerset levels (near Glastonbury). Further experimentation with Simple Shape Shaders has alowed me to be more creative and I am 90% happy with the result. Hope you like and C&C welcome as always! http://jj100all4u.deviantart.com/art/On-the-moors-286847976

Jonathan
Every problem is an opportunity, but there are so many opportunities it is a problem!

freelancah

Nice work! I think I would rotate the tree on the left a bit. The sharp polygonal surface is just catching the shadow a bit too sharp. Or atleast I think that's what it is :P

Jonathan

Indeed - the limitation to XFROG trees is that they have "hard edges"! Will try a little post render magic :)
Every problem is an opportunity, but there are so many opportunities it is a problem!

Dune

I think you should soften the edges of the tracks, as the downward displacement has a very hard edges.

Jonathan

You are so right Ulco...however, I don't think I have the skills to do that! The Simple Shape Shader doesn't appear to have the ability to add any blending shaders...any hints would be very welcome! Jonathan.
Every problem is an opportunity, but there are so many opportunities it is a problem!

Dune

You can adjust the edge width in the SSS. Set the edge profile to bevel or smooth step.

dandelO

Hi, Jonathan. Use the 'displacement edge width',(or, if you're using the colour tab as a displacement function, do the following there, just make sure the edge colour is black and the shape is white), to make the falloff at the edges of the displacement, there are several different falloff options, 'smooth step' would likely be best. If the width of your simple shape is(say) 10m, make the edge width about 2.5m to get a nice soft edge to the shape. Also, if you want to bend the simple shape shader with some warp, make sure you use 'position in texture', else it won't bend.

*Ulco, you're fast! :D

Jonathan

You're both fast! Thanks for your input - I will give it a go :)
Every problem is an opportunity, but there are so many opportunities it is a problem!

FrankB

The hard edge of the mask is not the problem. If you soften the edge you get a little bit variation, but overall I bet the populations will still follow a very staight line.

Instead, I suggest to simply use a warp shader to add some irregularity to the staight lines. Jonathan, do you know how to do that?

Regards,
Frank

Jonathan

Hi Frank - the simple answer is no...I have looked at the Warp Shader but am not sure how to apply that to a SSS and also as to what I should use for the Warper and Shader values. Do you have a small TGD that shows how to effect this? I would be very grateful as it would allow me to make more interesting tracks within terrains! Many thanks. Jonathan.
Every problem is an opportunity, but there are so many opportunities it is a problem!


FrankB


Jonathan

Thank you gentlemen! I will go and have a play...the thing I love about TG is that it is an ongoing learning experience!
Every problem is an opportunity, but there are so many opportunities it is a problem!

choronr

Beautiful work and very inspirational.

Jonathan

Thanks you Choronr! It took a few hours to model, but I am happy with the result....next step is something similar with a warped track!
Every problem is an opportunity, but there are so many opportunities it is a problem!