WIP: Procedural clouds from space

[nvseal]

Yes, there isn't a whole lot of progress -- but there is some  . I see it partly because I know where it came from to get to this point. This is finals week, so I haven't had a whole lot of time to do any serious improvements. I'm working on some storm clouds now.

[Will]

Hey Oshyan will the SDK be capable of creating plug-ins that can automate this process?

Regards,

Will

[Oshyan]

Automate what process?

- Oshyan

[Oshyan]

Alright, here's the resulting render. Settings only slightly changed and rendered at 1024x768. Let me know if you want me to render another.

[attachthumb=1]

- Oshyan

[sjefen]

This is realy nice. I love it
The only thing I doun't like is the sun. But that is not your fault.
Anyways.... Great job on this one and super cool of you Oshyan for rendering it at higher resolution.

[old_blaggard]

That does look pretty good.  It's a pity that the planetary banding issue is so obvious.

[Oshyan]

Yes, and sadly I've forgotten the workaround for the banding. 

- Oshyan

[nvseal]

Thanks Oshyan, I might have to take you up for another sometime.   Maybe when I'm done (If I'm ever done).
@ old_blaggard: Yeah, the banding is a pretty big issue. It's because of the Altocumulus layer. I'll have to try to find a way to fix that later. Has anyone else foud a fix for this before (without deleting the layer that is)?

[Will]

Nice, I think I saw a fix in a thread a while back but I'm not sure. I'll research a little. As for what I meant about automating I was talking about some one being able to create a shader or somthing the just haves you click generate or somthing and it creates a simular effect to what nvseal is doing but a lot faster.

Regards,

Will

[Oshyan]

We intend to provide a "macro" system that will allow people like nvseal to create packaged versions of their networks with simplified controls so that people can more easily control specified parameters for a particular effect. I think that might be a solution to your question. If you are referring specifically to a planetary cloud shader that we might put together, this is also a possibility, it might just ship as a preset.

- Oshyan

[Will]

That awnsers my question thanks

regards,

Will

[nvseal]

Here is a little update. I've added some smaller clouds (although I haven't worked out a good popcorn look yet) in the first one. In the second, I've added some storm like clouds; but they still need some distribution work -- among other things. The hard part is not so much trying to make clouds as it is to make them look logical in their distribution relative to one another. 
Note: the first image is quality setting 1 while the second is 0.5.

[nvseal]

Here is the second image.

Update: Here is the second image at quality 1.

[rcallicotte]

Love this second image.  Unbelievably realistic.  Almost want to ask you if you really used TG2.   

[old_blaggard]

Calico's right - it does look spectacular.