Sky patrol - Work in progress

[N-drju]

Hi all,

     Wow... it's been a while...
     So I'm back with my new project. Sort of cloudscape. The quality and resolution is poor, because this is just a sneak peek for you to comment. It isn't much right now, but more details are coming! Comments and suggestions are welcome as always.

[attach=1]

[archonforest]

Welcome back n-drju
Was thinking few weeks ago about you being missing from the forum

I like the idea u got here but not sure to where to go with it
Only thing that I would change is the bright yellow color that might not being liked in the patrol
It gives them away from miles

[Dune]

Yes, the yellow is horrible. This kind of thing lends itself for earthy colors, dirt and grime over them, cruising in a moist, darkish wooded ravine, dark clouds overhead, DOF through some branches up close, you it seems they're being watched.... curious what you make of it.

[N-drju]

Yeah, I had some real-world arrangements lately but I found free time finally and I'm back. Don't know for how long nonetheless...

Maybe you are right guys. Still, I need to find a color that will contrast a bit with sky and clouds as I intend to put three more cloud layers here. So the ballon cannot be white or grey I guess...

I simply used that airship model in another render where the battle was already going on, so surprise value had no meaning there. Canyon cruise might be an idea for another render of that type.

[N-drju]

Another step done. I've added another storm front on the right side, but I don't really like the way the clouds look there. If you have an idea how to make it look natural - let me know.

I also added a mountain in front of the second storm front, which is actually an inverted crater. I will use displacement shader to roughen it up.

I also changed the balloon and tent color, which is actually a good idea because it more or less matches crew's uniforms!

[attach=1]

Next thing will be to add remaining cloud layers and take care of the hill on the first plan.

[Dune]

I like these colors!

[Hannes]

Yes, this looks indeed like an illustration of a Jules Verne book. Very nice. I'd like to see the image in higher render quality.

[Upon Infinity]

It's coming along.  That ground needs some work, though.  I'd also reposition the sun to give the image some more definition.

[N-drju]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm going to add some displacement and fake stones to the foremost hill. Not much though as it will be covered with trees. Maybe some pointy rocks peeking through the treetop?

[DocCharly65]

I had same thoughts like Hannes: Jules Vernes 

Go on the good work, I'm curious too.

[N-drju]

Now, I hesitated whether to post this one in or not, as I am not quite satisfied with the outcome, but here it is after all...

[attach=1]

One thing I noticed right away is that somehow the lower altocumulus overcast lost it's shadowy areas and looks far, far too milky. I don't know why. I would expect that by adding three more cloud layers to the sky it should be even darker... but isn't... Compare with the previous pictures.

I also tried to add some boulders using Neuspadrin's solutions but I can't get the stones to behave like I want them too. The top of the stones is displaced but the sides are ridiculously smooth... The rocky spikes you see here are just power fractals masked by paint shader and another PF.

Any ideas / suggestions?

[N-drju]

Here's the final version of my project. Hope you can open it without having to download... This is actually version 0.99 because I had a funny mistake when assembling picture in Photoshop. But you won't notice if you don't know the details.

[attach=1]

________________________

Silly me... The credits!

Some of the features were provided by; dandelO, Matt, 1971, Mr. Lamppost.

[Dune]

Terrific! I can always nitpick on details however (rocks, clouds, tree coverage), but overall it's a very nice image.

[archonforest]

Hey cool. Turned out very cool.

[N-drju]

Thanks for support guys. I might yet shove a camera underneath that tent, or put it aboard to do some extra shots.