Procedural River Maps (RGB Maps) Discussion

WAS · December 17, 2021, 07:32:10 PM

This was a NWDA release. We are no longer hosting the shop. In light of that, here is the quick-drop TGC.

If you're looking Kevin, Crisb, or Matt; could you add the TGC to the main post so it is easy to find?

pixelpusher636 · December 17, 2021, 09:02:14 PM

Quote from: WAS on December 17, 2021, 07:32:10 PMThis was a NWDA release. We are no longer hosting the shop. In light of that, here is the quick-drop TGC.

If you're looking Kevin, Crisb, or Matt; could you add the TGC to the main post so it is easy to find?

And I see I didn't get lucky by posting my "disregard" post before I wasted your time. Thanks for the re-upload. Come to find out, if I read through the posts, I can read the answer to where it might be. 😀 without asking questions that have been answered already.

pixelpusher636 · December 17, 2021, 09:25:38 PM

It would appear all your hard work and awesomeness has fallen on a mind to dense to grasp the setup. I generally know when Something is going to go over my head. I did not get that vibe on this. I assumed I would use valley, banks and river maps as masks for displacement and veg etc. and be on my way to a meandering river. I've accomplished nothing thus far. Should I happen to grow a brain I will post results. Thanks again.

WAS · December 18, 2021, 12:45:59 AM

I hope you read the documentation thingy? Really comes down to just adding seeds to the warping PFs for something new, and the default maps can be used right out of door.

pixelpusher636 · December 18, 2021, 08:11:43 AM

Very True. It's now working as I originally thought it should work, original issue was a complete user error. With that said.. I do believe I have over-complicated the different displacement setups. I believe their is most likely a more simplified approach that also speeds up the scene. Anyone care to peak at this and prove my theory is correct?

WAS · December 18, 2021, 12:55:46 PM

Honestly not sure why it's so slow. Strange. Doesn't seem like I'd get much use out of this on my old 4 core, and that's what I made this on. Not sure what's up there. It's a very simple setup, and I made tons of river stuff with it in the past.

I know your order could probably be reversed. Start with valley, than banks, than river displacement. Valley map could probably be used here to just mask out the terrain shader.

pixelpusher636 · December 18, 2021, 01:11:19 PM

Quote from: WAS on December 18, 2021, 12:55:46 PMHonestly not sure why it's so slow. Strange. Doesn't seem like I'd get much use out of this on my old 4 core, and that's what I made this on. Not sure what's up there. It's a very simple setup, and I made tons of river stuff with it in the past.

I know your order could probably be reversed. Start with valley, than banks, than river displacement. Valley map could probably be used here to just mask out the terrain shader.

Well I'm relieved that the only thing I got wrong was the order. I was thinking your reply would hold gross amount more. Thanks for the advice on order, I will definitely give it a shot.

Indeed hard to imagine having the patience on 4 cores. Though I have looked back on some early renders with crap computers with low spec hardware and wonder where the patience came from. I doubt this to be true in your case though. I'm off to change the order of the maps. Thanks again WAS!

WAS · December 18, 2021, 01:23:07 PM

I do know that it is probably prudent to share this was meant to just be a drop-in so I didn't have to re-create the same thing over in over.

The concept of this method is just to start off with a 100% soft huge SSS shape (your valley) and than use colour adjusts (or functions) to clamp in your banks and river maps. Give me a moment and I'll share a more direct example.

WAS · December 18, 2021, 02:42:51 PM

Here is another river scene based on the same concept of the river maps. It renders at 720p with default settings in 1:58 minutes.

Added erosion just for kicks, and also showed how to follow the terrain with water when erosion applied.

pixelpusher636 · December 18, 2021, 03:11:48 PM

Thanks WAS! This will prove to be in invaluable share as after in reordered my maps made little or no difference.
I will probably learn a more proper way of setting up the displacements as well no doubt.

Thanks! I'm off to have another go at this.

pixelpusher636 · December 18, 2021, 03:23:15 PM

Well I have my free time filled now. This file answered my questions and provided some new knowledge to explore. For example duplicating the terrain to use as a mask! Never thought about that idea before. Interesting for sure. Thanks!