Andromeda setting over Umar

[fleetwood]

The Umarians destroyed themselves hundreds of years ago,
but the total atmospheric clarity on present day Umaria makes it an excellent site for astronomy
(if you are a robotic sort).

I'm using a cumulus cloud as Andromeda and stars.

Galaxy is a Nasa photo used in an image shader fed into the Final Density Tab
of the simple cloud. I'm surprised to find that the Final Density accepts the colour information.
The cloud colour by itself is gray. Clouds as non-flat projection screens ! Many possibilities here.

Mechanical junk made in XenoDream.
Hardy Exo-Vegetation - Mr. Lampost and Klass

[fleetwood]

Another example of the use of an image fed to the Final Density Modulator.
Might be called the Final Destiny Modulator in this case 

[fleetwood]

Ok. One more. Image used is just a photo of a pizza, but projection camera
used is not  from the render camera position, but off to the side.

Image becomes blurred into Aurora Pizzialus.

[Oshyan]

Creative techniques, I love the 1st image, the great subtle lighting on the machinery bits.

- Oshyan

[TheBadger]

Cool shots.

Is the skull made from/with clouds? Its rather cool.

[Dune]

...use of an image fed to the Final Density Modulator...

That is actually a great find! Learned something again, never thought of doing this. Thanks, Fleetwood.

[fleetwood]

Thanks for all comments.
Badger - Yes , the skull is cumulus. There is an ordinary cumulus layer behind it for most of the sunset.

Here is a test pattern sent to both the Final Density Modulator and to the Depth Modulator of a cloud layer.

A  lightning attempt. Not there yet, as the lightning from image is getting too solid
when defined as cloud, but it's a start.

[TheBadger]

Yes! The lightning looks good! Pursue this, and please share your progress!
And thanks for the info.

[choronr]

Looking forward to your lightning progress. Also, try illuminating the parts of the clouds from where the lightning emanates.

[inkydigit]

very cool experiments...like the lightning too!