Looking down at the cascades

Mahnmut · February 16, 2009, 11:08:08 AM

WIP

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3508/3284167385_7ea77a57ff_o.jpg

C&C welcome
Best regards,
Jan

moodflow · February 16, 2009, 05:24:30 PM

Pretty nice looking displacements and color. I like the pseudo foliage... or it is a population?

Mahnmut · February 16, 2009, 06:03:01 PM

Thanks Moodflow!

You are right, the foliage is nothing but one surface layer+ Power fractal.
I can´t "afford" the rendertimes for populations, so I thought, lets make fake vegetation.
I think something is missing, the lake isn´t the eyecatcher I hoped it to be.
Any ideas anyone?

Best regards,
Jan

Seth · February 16, 2009, 06:12:16 PM

maybe Andy Welder can give you some advice for the fake vegetation, he did a very good one here
maybe you can add fog down below too ^^

Mahnmut · February 16, 2009, 06:40:05 PM

Seth, you make me cry

I show you the best vegetation I ever grew, and you tell me to look at someone else´s.
Indeed, Mr Welders´ forest is quite nice and very 3d, but it looks far to northern to me.
I´m quite content with my tropical green moss-fungus-thingy, I just need a focus in my image.
Just at the moment I am experimenting with low clouds and fantasizing about a Tepui-style waterfall.
See you at the lake,
Best Regards,
Swamp Thing

rcallicotte · February 17, 2009, 08:52:08 AM

Cool rocks and nice vegetation. Try some dual lighting (two suns) or maybe more to get some more even lighting. Use Soft Shadows.

Please tell us how you did the vegetation. I love it.

Mahnmut · February 17, 2009, 12:36:19 PM

Thanks Calico.

If you love my vegetation, you shall take it home.
But be warned, never get too close, it turns into toxic goo if approached.
If you like the result, tell the world I helped.

I don´know if I want more even lighting, just imagine what sleeps in that deep dark undisturbed lake.
I did use soft shadows.

Well, I´ll see where this leads.

best regards,
Jan

rcallicotte · February 17, 2009, 01:29:11 PM

Thanks. I'll download this tonight. I understand about distance. TG2 is good at distant shots in certain circumstances. I'll play with this file...gladly!!!

Thanks again.

moodflow · February 17, 2009, 10:57:39 PM

Hey, any tips (or tgc) on your rock colors? They look quite impressive!

Mahnmut · February 18, 2009, 06:59:55 AM

Well, Moodflow, that is one of my bestkept secrets.
No, it isn´t, although I don´t tend to tell People about it.
I did a lot to make these rocks more realistic, there are reflective default shaders, fake stones...

But the colour comes mainly from one image map which I use in almost all my pictures.
I never managed to achieve realistic rocks without it.
My only creative act was to use a closeup shot of a trees bark instead of a simple rock-photograph.

Here you go, not much to be learned though.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3139/2743498005_399a35f51b_b.jpg

Still glad you liked the result.

Best Regards,
Jan

rcallicotte · February 18, 2009, 09:04:36 AM

Cool. Thanks Mahnmut.

Mahnmut · February 18, 2009, 09:07:18 AM

Welcome Calico.

I think I found my eyecatcher, although it has to be improved.
Any suggestions?

moodflow · February 18, 2009, 07:02:20 PM

Wow, thanks for the link! I'll check it when I get home.

rcallicotte · February 19, 2009, 07:35:17 AM

Per your last image - I like the idea of the water fall. It might need some more attention toward realism. One thing I noticed is that it doesn't look exactly like it's falling into the lake. Some very minor tweaks will probably make this look real.