Noob questions

[neostyles]

So I just picked  up v2.0 today.. Long time .9 user..
1. The node part looks somewhat intimidating. Is it a mandatory part of the work flow, or is just optional, to give you more flexability?

2. Does terragen allow you to create procedural terrain intuitively, like teragen .9 by inputting parameters?  My first impression was that you need to write your own height field shaders.. Which is where I really hope Im wrong.

3. Is it possible to convert a jpeg of terrain (like a map of the earth) and  use it as terrain for a planet?

4)  How do I edit cloud patterns?

5) I created a planet but at the moment, the atmosphere is too "thick" so I can't see any of my landforms.. How do I change this?

6) How do I edit a planet's terrain?


Thanks.  Any help would be appreciated.

EDIT : I guess making continents is what im really after..

[rcallicotte]

Just do searches.  nvseal and volker have tutorials for planets (nvseal) and terrain (volker).  I'd do this only after you've been through the basic tutorial.

[Volker Harun]

As calico stated - go through the tutorials of Oshyan. They explain the most important parts.

1. Those nodes were something I had troubles with, too. It is just a matter of training (learning to swim).
2. I assume that you mean surface shaders, as 0.9 did not use procedural terrains. If so ... yes 
3. It should be possible - due to the size of a planet you will need a very (!) detailed Jpeg. Use the image map shader, which has different projection types.
4. A more complex matter, look at nvseal's planet-threads.
5. In the Atmosphere-tab you can change the density and many more parameters of the atmosphere.
6. This is explained in Oshyan's wonderful tutorials.

Volker