Let it Rain

[choronr]

Thanks to the following Terragen friends who made their files accessible to all (I modified them a bit) for use in this scene:

•   'Luc Bianco' for the cloud file; and, Frank Basinski for the inspirations with his cloud files available on his site: http://forums.planetside.co.uk/index.php?topic=5490.0 Frank's site is: http://nwda.webnode.com/terragen-2-tech-packs/

•   'DandelO' for the rocks/stones array available at the Planetside forum at: http://forums.planetside.co.uk/index.php?topic=4443.0

•   'Lightning' for the three different plant models used here available at the Planetside forum at: http://forums.planetside.co.uk/index.php?topic=4743.0

The scene depicts an imaginary place that has been dry for many months just waiting for the next rain. The terrain is DEM file of Moonlight Peak, California that I have used a number of times both in Terragen 0.9 and Terragen 2. Enjoy!

[lonewolf]

The big sections of cloud look good, but the smaller pieces look like they don't belong.
The terrain looks very good.

[old_blaggard]

Very nice ground textures, and your clouds' detail looks quite good. However, I agree with Lonewolf that the distribution is a bit odd - I feel like they should be part of a more uniform structure.

[FrankB]

Hi!

if I may make a few suggestions that include wild guesses?

I am guessing that you have used Luc's file as a basis. If that's true, the problem with that is
a. no meta cloud... hence you'l have multiple clouds in the backgrond, but the settings are not tuned to make them look good (not possible just with Luc's file). If you look through Luc's cumulonimbus images... he always took precautions that the viewer cannot see far away parts of the sky. that' the trade-off-
b. Luc's settings are good for a relative close up, and no so good for distant shots (without specific tuning)
c. that the clouds have that block-like bottom, that is not looking realistic. You need a mix of a cauliflower top and a more whispy and soft bottom, and an overall shape that doesn't look clumsy.

If I remember correctly you have my cumulus pack. I will soon update that (and provide it free to customers) with a specifically tuned scene for distant cumulus shots. There's already one for distant shots in there, but I am guessing that's not the look you were shooting for, but rather a look like the last image I posted here.
Forgive me if I'm wrong, please.

cheers,
Frank

[choronr]

Thanks Frank for your critique. It is valuable to me; and, invokes many thoughts for improvement. I will be experimenting with your suggestions; and, will be using your files in another scene soon. I look forward to the update you're making.

Most of my experience has been with Terragen 0.9; now, TG2 which gives us the opportunity to get our images closer to reality. As you can see, I've got a lot to learn. 

[dandelO]

You know the part in Ghostbusters, when the Stay Puft Marshmallow man explodes?

Some aspects seem really nice about the clouds but when viewed as a whole they appear quite glutinous, too heavy to be floating there.(although, the title tells us that they won't be there much longer. )

The gaps between the clouds make it appear too sharp a contrasting edge, I'd probably half the edge sharpness(maybe lower density too but I'd do these steps one at a time) up the coverage to 0.5 or above and blend the foreground cloud out by distance. They would look beautiful softer. Nice render though, I think you should carry on with it.

[choronr]

You know the part in Ghostbusters, when the Stay Puft Marshmallow man explodes?

Some aspects seem really nice about the clouds but when viewed as a whole they appear quite glutinous, too heavy to be floating there.(although, the title tells us that they won't be there much longer. )

The gaps between the clouds make it appear too sharp a contrasting edge, I'd probably half the edge sharpness(maybe lower density too but I'd do these steps one at a time) up the coverage to 0.5 or above and blend the foreground cloud out by distance. They would look beautiful softer. Nice render though, I think you should carry on with it.

What a laugh!! When the Marshmallow man explodes; I can just envision that. Thank to dandelO, your critique is also important here; and, I will try your suggestions as well as those Frank offered. I appreciate your visit on this one.

Bob