Procedural Planetary Clouds Version 3 Preview

nvseal · July 30, 2007, 09:31:20 PM

While I hate to post too many times too soon, I really want to share this and get some feed back. As the (long) title says, I've been working on an new procedural planetary cloud set up. It is currently only in its early staged but it shows a lot of promise and, I think, has already surpassed all of my attempts so far. This is just a quick test render with minimal settings, fresh out of the oven. I will be posting a high quality render later. Here you go.

old_blaggard · July 30, 2007, 11:03:24 PM

I think that the overall cloud formations look really good. Adding few more small-scale systems would give this yet another layer of realism, but again, you have done a fantastic job with the warping.

moodflow · July 31, 2007, 12:34:08 AM

I've been really watching your work, and I have to say, you are definitely leading the pack when it comes to Planetary renders. Keep up the great work - its amazing.

Will · July 31, 2007, 08:27:19 AM

wonderful job mate, keep posting as you go along.

rcallicotte · July 31, 2007, 08:44:40 AM

Great job, nvseal.

ProjectX · July 31, 2007, 10:10:42 AM

Looking great! Keep up the good work!

nvseal · July 31, 2007, 03:04:40 PM

Thank you all for your comments. I've been working on adding new cloud layers -- this is were it gets difficult. Here is a shot I did over night of just the one layer. It at least gives an idea of the planetery cloud formations.

moodflow · July 31, 2007, 05:07:06 PM

Honestly, these are looking more and more like photos from space. Very nice work here. I'm glad we all have our specializations, as this is pushing the research further and further.

Will · July 31, 2007, 05:13:51 PM

I've been tiring to use alphas to got the cloud shapes but I haven't had any luck, good to see others make progress in other areas though.
http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/6914/earthclouds2500x1250ms7.jpg

rcallicotte · July 31, 2007, 07:12:02 PM

Awesome work, nvseal.

bigben · July 31, 2007, 10:57:51 PM

Given the complexities of global weather systems you're doing pretty good with basic fractals. Too much or too little warping and it looks too fake, but you have a nice balance.

nvseal · July 31, 2007, 11:49:08 PM

"complexities" may be a bit of an understatement. It is indeed quite diffcult to recreate realistic looking weather systems. As I said, both of these renders contain only one cloud layer and, I agree, are very unrealistic. I'm stil working on the fractals. When examined next to an alpha of a real weather system map, however, I believe some similarities can be scene (similarities which got me started on this again).