My First "Arizona Look"

[jaf]

Trying to get an Arizona look with this.....

[otakar]

I like your surfaces and terrain, though that far mountain seems a bit tall or too close perhaps. Not sure about the sky though. Somehow it does not connect. Something more windswept and less dense for the lower layer may be more fitting?

[jaf]

Thanks otakar.  I questioned that background mountain range myself.  There are seven World Machine "monuments" and the long background range is a simple heightfield generate.  I believe the sandstone monuments generally aren't the high compared to the regular mountain ranges, which was my idea.  But you are correct, that background to the far left is too high.

I used this as a start:  http://www.somewhereelseland.com/monumentvalley.php

I have to model some saguaro cactus soon.

[edit]  I should mention, I'm not trying to get the monument look as in the link above, but right now, mountains that would look like those in the link after many, many years of erosion.

[otakar]

Maybe choronr can chime in, but from my experience you don't have close peaks to this kind of landscape in AZ. I had a hard time finding a reference image, but this comes close: http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/pancaketom/pancaketom0903/pancaketom090300034/4491485-red-sandstone-cliffs-near-sedona-arizona-in-the-winter.jpg

If you are thinking Monument Valley then such peaks would be even farther out, probably not even in sight. The vastness is overwhelming.

I got a weakness for these places.

[choronr]

otakar has a good reference here; both for color and shape.

Been out here in Arizona for 25+ years now and have explored Monument Valley and scores of places near it from northern Arizona and southern Utah. Red rock country starts in Sedona, AZ and continues north up to Moab, UT. Also goes west to near California. Hiking and traveling around these places makes one almost feel like he/she is on Mars. Top inspirations for Terragen! Do a search on Google for the 'Grand Circle' for some scenes I'm referring to.

All of my images since I started with Terragen Classic (and TG2) nine years ago are at RDR if you care to have a look. Try to put some flat spaces between those landforms; create a sense of space. The sky is usually clear. High cirrus are around sometimes. Lower your 'gamma' setting and increase your 'red sky decay with most scenes of this type. It will enhance your image.

Bob     

[jaf]

Thanks otakar and choronr!

I see what you mean by spreading the individual "partial monuments."  It's easy to get caught up in putting too much in a scene -- probably a common fault when it's so easy to do in 3D digital graphics. 

[choronr]

Here is one of many links of the 'Grand Circle' on Google: http://www.utah.com/nationalparks/grandcircle.htm .

[choronr]

A shot from Sedona 'Red Rock Crossing' with 'Cathedral Rock' in the background. This image taken while with a get together with three other Terragen guys (Buzzzzz, STBC, and Doc Clavette) a few years ago.

[otakar]

Sedona's gotta be great. That picture is beautiful. Have yet to make that trip. A chance for another TG meetup, maybe? 

Sorry for hijacking your thread jaf. Keep working on that scene. It's worth it.

[jaf]

I revamped the scene a lot -- down to two terrains plus a third that's in the foreground.  I took some time making seven variations of sagauro cactus in Lightwave -- they don't show in this scene because of the scale.

The rocks need some color adjustment and distribution and I have to add a lot of dry bushes.  I think this scene needs a "wash" with some plants on the edges.

Next is playing with the gamma setting and red sky decay, as choronr advised.

Here is a quick render of the new terrain placement.

 

[choronr]

That is looking fine; and, is a good base for your future additions.

[otakar]

There you go! Good revamp. Colors and details next. And possibly erosion/deposits on those formations to soften up the strata.

[jaf]

Thanks,

I hope to get back into this project as soon as possible.  My "day job" is one of the 24/7 on-call things and today was busy (so long renders aren't that bad when I can't be at my computer.) 

[jaf]

I made a few updates, adding my Lightwave saguaro's.

[jaf]

... and some shrubs