Planetside Software Forums

General => Contests => NWDA 2015 Theme Challenge - Iceland => Topic started by: TheBadger on November 17, 2014, 05:06:06 PM

Title: My wip thread
Post by: TheBadger on November 17, 2014, 05:06:06 PM
I'll put my final here. Whatever that will be.
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: TheBadger on November 17, 2014, 07:02:36 PM
One part of one possible focus I am playing with. A braided river.

Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: Oshyan on November 17, 2014, 10:10:07 PM
Promising terrain. Where's it from?

- Oshyan
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: choronr on November 17, 2014, 10:49:15 PM
Nice going here Michael. Looking forward to your progress.
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: TheBadger on November 17, 2014, 11:30:31 PM
Hand made image map in PS.
I will post it if someone likes me to.

Well it is two image maps, one in the positive, and one in the negative. As was brought up in that "help with blending" thread I posted. Some good info there, I'm trying to go through it and see what works for me. Right off I found that layering multiple images maps does indeed make things better. this Braided river will have 3-4 if all goes well. And I have some, what I think, are good ideas to get a special water effect. I believe I can get the water to look mostly like here: http://www.inspirationgreen.com/assets/images/Photography/Iceland/Andre-Ermolaev-07.jpg

Although, I don't have an idea to create a directional flow. I will ask Ulco about that. I think he did a bunch of stuff where he got the water to flow in a specific direction. Or it was something like that.

Thanks Guys! The prizes are too good not to make a big effort. And I am starting early enough to at least have a chance to finish something this time. Winning would be icing on the cake  ;D
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: Dune on November 18, 2014, 03:11:07 AM
For directional flow you'd need to make the river itself procedurally, so you can derive the flow from that. Or, you can probably fake it roughly if you get a double warped line (SSS) sort of the same direction as your image map. Warp it by some carefully placed soft SSS's, or hit a perlin seed a trillion times  ;) But it won't be directional for every little creek.
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: zaxxon on November 18, 2014, 04:57:35 PM
Nice shapes! Curious to see what POV you come up with, nice start!
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: TheBadger on November 21, 2014, 11:55:53 PM
Thanks!

Also wanted to play with marshes and Iceland has some good ones. Here is a test. I have other things I want to try, so not sure if I'll stick to this one. But Its enough to get the idea.

Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: Oshyan on November 22, 2014, 12:05:59 AM
What the hell Badger, that looks awesome! Why don't you post more? Yeesh. :D

- Oshyan
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: choronr on November 22, 2014, 12:13:43 AM
Agree; Michael, you've got to stop hiding this good stuff. Keep them coming man.
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: zaxxon on November 22, 2014, 12:48:38 AM
Nice work!
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: Kadri on November 22, 2014, 02:28:04 AM

Looks great Michael :)
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: Dune on November 22, 2014, 03:31:02 AM
Michael's coming out  :D :D Great, man. Are they objects or displaced squares? You could (should) add some lichens. I like the cinema ratio as well.
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: j meyer on November 22, 2014, 11:19:25 AM
Yep,very nice,especially the rune stones. 8)
Keep them coming.
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: archonforest on November 22, 2014, 01:05:43 PM
yeah very nice one! :D
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: TheBadger on November 22, 2014, 02:45:51 PM
Thanks!
Well if you like the idea, than maybe I should do all I had planed for this one.
Just want to make sure I have time to try my other ideas before I get too deep into one image.
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: choronr on November 22, 2014, 03:09:32 PM
February is not that far away; better shake a leg.
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: TheBadger on November 22, 2014, 06:16:11 PM
Im going to need all that time too.
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: Oshyan on November 24, 2014, 03:53:45 AM
My advice: do not overcomplicate it or get too ambitious! The image you already have is, quite honestly, fantastic. Do not overthink it. Refine what you have, render it nice, post the result here. Try to finish it within a week or two. Then "put it in your back pocket". Work on another scene, or even two. Or maybe work on a version of this scene with everything you want to put in it, sure. But I really think you have something lovely in the simplicity here.

I'm thrilled to see that despite sharing so few images in the past, all your questions *have* led to some great skills and good work from you. I only worry about your history of very long and largely unfinished projects (due, understandably, both to grand ambitions and the limits of software and hardware). Don't let it come down to the deadline as you try to make it everything you envision, try to make it perfect. From an outside perspective what you have already shown is quite compelling, at least for me...

- Oshyan
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: TheBadger on November 24, 2014, 09:51:19 PM
Good words. Mostly true I think. The contest helps me a lot. I do very well with a little outside structure provided.
I also appreciate your complements. Encouragement helps too.

Do you mean "fantastic" like fantastical, or you mean well done? I definitely have a soft spot in me for fantasy art. I have found it as inspiring as syfy since I was a kid and still do.

This image is a hint at what I want to do as a variation:
[attachimg=1]

I am looking for assets now that will take me most of the way.
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: Oshyan on November 24, 2014, 10:08:07 PM
By "fantastic" I meant "very good". :D I have no idea what your inspiration image really says about a possible TG image, it's so dominated by characters and a non-realistic art style that I can't imagine it translating to TG. But I'm glad it gives you inspiration. Just remember what I said: you've already created something appealing and evocative. Refine it first and get to a "resting place", if you can, then go crazy if you want to. ;)

- Oshyan
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: TheBadger on November 25, 2014, 12:13:44 AM
QuoteI have no idea what your inspiration image really says about a possible TG image

When you see it, it will be so obvious that your stomach will hurt. ;D ;D
Oh man, now I have to do it for the fun value! Also, if it looks at all "real" I think people will like it.
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: FrankB on November 25, 2014, 06:27:25 AM
Quote from: TheBadger on November 21, 2014, 11:55:53 PM
Thanks!

Also wanted to play with marshes and Iceland has some good ones. Here is a test. I have other things I want to try, so not sure if I'll stick to this one. But Its enough to get the idea.

Very cool, Michael. My advice is to keep the overall simplicity but work on adding a lot of detail. You know, that kind of detail that one would only discover upon a second or third look.

Cheers
Frank
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: TheBadger on November 25, 2014, 03:19:50 PM
QuoteMy advice is to keep the overall simplicity but work on adding a lot of detail

Yeah, I have to agree now. I have tried a few things that are cool on their own but go make the scene better. Its strength is its openness. I will just work on the details for this one as far as the terrain.

Good to hear from you Frank. By he way, those clouds are your overcast sky clip. One of my favorites... Drop in ready to rock. Easily edited for something different. Out of the box real.
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: TheBadger on November 26, 2014, 10:51:00 PM
My volcano try # 1. Try #2 is rendering now.
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: choronr on November 26, 2014, 11:34:53 PM
You're on a roll Michael, this is looking very good.
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: AP on November 27, 2014, 12:35:33 AM
I like what I am seeing here.
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: TheBadger on November 27, 2014, 02:26:05 AM
Part of something else. But I liked it on its own. Maybe someone else will too.
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: TheBadger on November 27, 2014, 02:37:28 AM
2
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: TheBadger on November 27, 2014, 02:40:32 AM
other
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: Oshyan on November 27, 2014, 02:43:41 AM
2, yes-ish. It adds some veg color variety, which is good. The volcano is an interesting addition, but perhaps blends a little oddly with its adjacent smaller hills/mountains (it looks like the edge profile flows into the mountain on the left, a sort of "tangent" in artistic terms, I believe). "Other" I don't really like, the veg colors look rather more unnatural.

You're making progress with 2 though...

- Oshyan
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: AP on November 27, 2014, 03:04:30 AM
The sky seems somewhat overexposed. Might be a good idea to reduce it some. I like the ancient pillars, that is neat.
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: Hannes on November 27, 2014, 03:44:28 AM
I like the last two images. The pillars are a nice addition.
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: TheBadger on November 27, 2014, 03:33:56 PM
Lots to work out yet. But take a look at this  ;D

Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: Hannes on November 27, 2014, 06:42:56 PM
That looks already promising! Are these clouds?
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: TheBadger on November 27, 2014, 07:25:31 PM
Hey Hannes. It is a Maya sim. DT just released a tut. What great timing! This part will be really a great way for me to bridge what I know and don't.

The biggest road block for me is not any individual part of 3d/VFX. I think my understanding is good enough there. But I have lots of problems understanding how to make things sing together. A bit like knowing instruments, but not how to conduct a symphony. You know what I mean.

In the case of this contest, the rules are (as I understand them) that we can do whatever we like so long as everything we do is rendered in TG.
In this case, it will be a learning experience on how to get all of that out of Maya and into TG. I would think that the traditional thing to do would be comp it. But I honestly would rather render it in TG so I don't have any unreal lighting issues to fix in post.

I think it will be some fun.
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: Hannes on November 28, 2014, 02:13:50 AM
Ah, I really thought you did that in Terragen. Maybe you can get something similar in TG with a few localised, grey and very dense cloud layers?! Just a thought...
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: Dune on November 28, 2014, 06:06:25 AM
There are some metacloud files about, maybe that can help, or a painted cloudshape... as comping is out I'm afraid. But it's hard to make photoreal, so a thin smoke column might be easier.
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: TheBadger on November 28, 2014, 12:58:24 PM
Yeah, like I said, it would be rendered not comped, so no need to be afraid  ;D

As to the ideas about using clouds. I do think that would be a worth wile challenge on it's own. But right now I don't think I want to spend a hundred hours trying to do something in TG that I can do in 1 hour with particles in maya (assuming I can get that into TG as an object or whatever). Besides, I have a hard time believing that anyone could make a real sim eruption with TG clouds.

Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: Kadri on November 28, 2014, 04:06:12 PM

I actually think that this is doable in Terragen Michael.
If it is worth to try it here instead in another dedicated software is another thing.
There are more then one way even.
With masks on one big cloud or using more then one animated cloud together like below for example.
I used only one basic cloud to test it crudely.
With more time and more random looking clouds it could be convincing.


[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: masonspappy on November 28, 2014, 07:25:52 PM
.
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: TheBadger on November 28, 2014, 10:50:38 PM
pap ^^ ?

Kadri,
Well that looks pretty cool on its own! But there is no convincing me that TG clouds are going to do the work of particles.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2kiRvWJ3Bi4/TeNQBHtxCKI/AAAAAAAAAA8/x6bzoHkioFE/s400/2012+-+Official+Movie+Site+%255BEasy2surf.blogspot.com%255D%255B21-40-06%255D.JPG

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FM4OhyP4Vok/UxxkaY5T56I/AAAAAAAADU8/5d3gRwhtppU/s1600/pompeii-volcano.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6orB-nUo1gg
People do wonders with TG; waterfalls, rain, other things of this nature. But those are technical achievements within TG not really accomplishments in Photo real VFX imo.

But yes I will use clouds too, just as clouds, and things that are cloud like. Not lava and rocks being blasted into the sky.

Just my feeling. Im pretty convinced of it though.
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: Kadri on November 28, 2014, 11:06:58 PM

I still think it can be done. It would be hard probably.
But i would too use a software like Turbulence FD or similar if i had to ;)
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: inkydigit on December 01, 2014, 07:01:13 PM
Great stuff Michael, I too like the pillars...
Some nice details going on in all of these...
Cool cloud too kadri
:)
J
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: Zairyn Arsyn on February 04, 2015, 02:15:12 PM
i like the render with the pillars, reminds me of Skyrim a little bit
good looking bog too :)
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: Dune on February 05, 2015, 03:33:55 AM
Theoretically, if you make a fat vertical column of cloud, I'd say warping this billowlike (or Vdisping?) would produce cauliflowers, but not everywhere, as some areas of the warper PF are black/dark. So you might need more than one warping action of the basic clumn and add these again after warping. But I never tested this thought.
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: TheBadger on February 14, 2015, 11:07:08 PM
Entry:

[attach=1]

Submitted by email.
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: Dune on February 15, 2015, 03:16:16 AM
 :-X ;)
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: inkydigit on February 15, 2015, 05:22:53 AM
Great job M.... Good luck!
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: TheBadger on February 15, 2015, 10:43:47 AM
Thank you!
It took to long to learn how to do somethings that I was working on for my other ideas. I am still doing those. I thought this image has a few things that are nice about it. I think it is a cool place to be for a little bit.

I took this contest as an excuse to at long last try many things I have wanted to do. And I really did. I will be glad when I get to show it all, as long as it works out.

There are some great images in this contest. Looking forward to see all the finals.
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: oysteroid on February 15, 2015, 02:04:32 PM
This is a very nice result, TheBadger! The stones look very nice. And I like your water vapor!

What do the runes say?  ;)
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: bla bla 2 on February 15, 2015, 02:35:26 PM
clap clap clap. Is good good. :)
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: inkydigit on February 15, 2015, 02:49:07 PM
Quote from: oysteroid on February 15, 2015, 02:04:32 PM
This is a very nice result, TheBadger! The stones look very nice. And I like your water vapor!

What do the runes say?  ;)
They are a Norse victory spell ... ;)
:))
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: oysteroid on February 15, 2015, 11:59:09 PM
QuoteThey are a Norse victory spell ...

Uh oh! I think I can begin to hear the sound of Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries, and I am not in one of the helicopters!  ;)

I have a lot of Scandinavian ancestry. I feel like I should be able to read the runes!
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: TheBadger on February 16, 2015, 12:11:07 AM
The one says, "if you can read this you are lost". And the other appears to be a series of insults to some persons mother, but it is not clear who wrote it or to who's mother it refers.
Title: Re: My wip thread
Post by: oysteroid on February 16, 2015, 10:57:16 AM
 ;D