Rising cloud

Started by N-drju, April 06, 2018, 03:53:25 AM

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N-drju

I would like to create a large cloud with a mountain-type form. Such that gradually rises with a visible "slope" forming at the side:

[attach=1]

Will using an SSS mask with "bevel" edge be enough?
"This year - a factory of semiconductors. Next year - a factory of whole conductors!"

Dune

My first idea was to use a distribution shader with altitude gradient and tilt it.

WAS

#2
Quote from: N-drju on April 06, 2018, 03:53:25 AM
I would like to create a large cloud with a mountain-type form. Such that gradually rises with a visible "slope" forming at the side:

[attach=1]

Will using an SSS mask with "bevel" edge be enough?


Yes, you'll want to mask your cloud density, and pipe it into your density modulator. You'll want to play with your coverage, density, fallout etc for exacting results.

Took a break from my project to make  a cone with bevel at 100 percent (this would be your gradual sloping...

PS That's on a intel computer stick. :O

PPS Both colour, AND displacement is used.

N-drju

@ WASasquatch - Could you provide a tgd or a clip?
"This year - a factory of semiconductors. Next year - a factory of whole conductors!"

WAS

Quote from: N-drju on April 06, 2018, 05:44:21 AM
@ WASasquatch - Could you provide a tgd or a clip?

Sure thing, here you go. I adjusted the settings to be pretty dense, as you can see.

N-drju

Thanks!

@ Dune - I tried it and plugged a distributor to the final modulator socket but it produces rather funny effects. And by funny I don't mean anything good. ;)
"This year - a factory of semiconductors. Next year - a factory of whole conductors!"

N-drju

#6
Oh... did not expect it to be that simple. Which is good actually.

Yep, this hits the spot. But I still need to see how this method fares when the masking SSS is fractal warped...

Also, I can't really see much effect of the displacement in the SSS. Looks just about the same at first glance.


"This year - a factory of semiconductors. Next year - a factory of whole conductors!"

Dune

Yes, it was just a theory, so maybe not the right way. And what if you mask a white surface shader by SSS, and add a twist and shear as child? Use that to mask cloud of course. I would (theoretically) say that the white (which is a block going up) would tilt, giving you the edged top.

N-drju

#8
Naaah. Just tried it - not a good way either. Sasquatch's method is good, except for the fact that a displacement is useless. The beveled SSS has to be plugged into a depth modulator to achieve best cloud slope.

However, I am thinking about yet one more thing...

Let's say, I use a whole array of SSSs (I do). I don't want to bevel-edge each one of them. Instead, how can I define a single point of reference, towards which the clouds would ascend? Hmmm... And that could be usefull for terrains as well.

EDIT: And here's a little infographic on how to achieve the effect. Note, that you can also easily warp SSS mask and successfully use it for both depth and area modifications.

[attach=1]
"This year - a factory of semiconductors. Next year - a factory of whole conductors!"

WAS

I only used displacement in thought and only did a single render. They take some time on this little stick. Just spent all night rendering disappointment. lol

Perhaps though you can still use it's displacement in the other functions. I do notice that the depth following color is pretty sharp

N-drju

Quote from: WASasquatch on April 06, 2018, 02:54:26 PM
Just spent all night rendering disappointment. lol

Do I sense accusation? Don't even think that way! :) After all, it's your advice that makes this slope thing work. Well thought.

I just stated a fact, it's all. To be honest, the displacement in SSS seems to be generally useless... I never managed to actually make it work! Maybe it's because I need it for masks only and nothing more than that. ::)

Hm, I don't really get that bit about an Intel Stick. What is this thing?
"This year - a factory of semiconductors. Next year - a factory of whole conductors!"

WAS

Quote from: N-drju on April 06, 2018, 03:00:35 PM
Quote from: WASasquatch on April 06, 2018, 02:54:26 PM
Just spent all night rendering disappointment. lol

Do I sense accusation? Don't even think that way! :) After all, it's your advice that makes this slope thing work. Well thought.

I just stated a fact, it's all. To be honest, the displacement in SSS seems to be generally useless... I never managed to actually make it work! Maybe it's because I need it for masks only and nothing more than that. ::)

Oh no, I'm working on a experiment, and it takes SOOOO long. Previews of a tiny 3cmx3cm crop preview takes over an hour to render. This was happening on my desktop too, so it's my project, not all the compute stick.

I'm not sure what you mean about SSS displacement? I seem to use it regularly for mountains/canyons/cliffs/etc.

Quote from: N-drju on April 06, 2018, 03:00:35 PM
Hm, I don't really get that bit about an Intel Stick. What is this thing?[/font][/size]

It's a tiny computer on a stick that you plug into HDMI here is the spec on the one I was given. I thought it was a first gen old one that was pretty slow so I never tried it, am pleasantly surprised. I can take it on the go in my pocket if I wanted, and it can run Terragen, granted it took some fiddling. I use one of the two cores, and I also keep the preview mainly paused as it'll crash. Also, any setting changes will result in momentary lag. But... it renders... Lol So surprised.

N-drju

Wow, this is interesting and impressive. I have never heard of a device like that! I think it can be particularly useful in some situations.

As far as the cloud is concerned - success! Just have a look at it, it's a beauty...

[attachimg=1]

Obviously though, I need to improve the light propagation at the cloud base. For some reason it turned ugly, ugly, UG-ly... I largely reduced light propagation and light propagation mix and it was probably not the best idea...
"This year - a factory of semiconductors. Next year - a factory of whole conductors!"


Oshyan

Displacement has no effect on clouds, they only deal with incoming color data. Not sure if that's what's causing some confusion here, but maybe?

- Oshyan