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General => Contests => NWDA 2018 Theme Challenge - Cliffs => Topic started by: Dune on January 17, 2018, 10:17:27 AM

Title: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on January 17, 2018, 10:17:27 AM
In line with the white tradition  ;)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: cyphyr on January 17, 2018, 10:57:07 AM
Excellent start. I'm not so keen on the warped areas (Texturing could make it work though) but I do like the open faces versus the tightly grouped detailed areas.
Welcome to the fray :)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: zaxxon on January 17, 2018, 11:10:04 AM
A strong start with some nice shapes. The Contest is now getting much more intense!
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Agura Nata on January 17, 2018, 11:18:30 AM
Well done!
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Artice-3d on January 17, 2018, 11:28:27 AM
Dune my dear i waited for this  :o 8) ;)  I like it...  ;) But Rene pretty forward at start  :-X ;) !! BUT i know you, it will be an interesting challenge  ;) ;D
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: DannyG on January 17, 2018, 11:36:18 AM
And it begins ...
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on January 17, 2018, 11:39:46 AM
Warp is some tilt and shear, masked. Easily taken out.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: AndyWelder on January 20, 2018, 06:14:05 AM
"What, what just happened?!" "Dune landed... With a bang...".
Those cliffs remind me of some I saw at the Mediterranean, folded, warped... Like dough of "Sugar buns".
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on January 20, 2018, 11:00:08 AM
I'm trying to do this without a compute terrain or compute normal, kind of like a personal challenge  ;)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Hannes on January 20, 2018, 11:04:47 AM
Looks already gorgeous!!
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: zaxxon on January 20, 2018, 12:23:55 PM
Ah Hah! Even with this self imposed handicap the odds makers in Las Vegas still have you coming out a winner! Seriously though, this certainly will be a challenge and hopefully you'll share some of your 'alternative' magic.  ;)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on January 21, 2018, 01:57:02 AM
Well, I can tell you a little already; it's a line of vector displacements, masked and combined, rotated, and so on. But now I'm thinking to add and mix the vectors themselves before a final vector displacement, which should be better. It's only a bit hard to think in vectors  ???
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: AndyWelder on January 21, 2018, 03:32:08 AM
QuoteIt's only a bit hard to think in vectors
Go ask Lt Chekov, he's used to it!
Seriously, what you'r talking about is in the realm of the dreaded blue nodes so it's totally beyond my grasp.  :( But the results I do dig.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on January 21, 2018, 11:42:05 AM
It's not all blue nodes, but I admit that I use some. But (hint) even fake stones are vectors sort of.

Anyway, I made a new, different setup, using one compute normal to be able to pull the top soil layer out a bit. More tests/setups to come....
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: cyphyr on January 21, 2018, 12:22:25 PM
Nice find :)
I'd often wondered if the FS was based on the Voronoi Diff and with your prompting I've just found out it is. (same seed and scale and they match perfect)
Cool tide line, maybe a little sharp
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: j meyer on January 21, 2018, 01:16:40 PM
Nice squarish rock shapes.  :)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on January 22, 2018, 01:54:23 AM
Yes, I'm not very satisfied with this yet (it's all to squarish), but I thought I'd post some of my trials (and errors). I may enter with something completely different.
Anyway, here's another one, added a dino for size  ;)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on January 22, 2018, 11:54:44 AM
Next try.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: zaxxon on January 22, 2018, 12:18:02 PM
Don't know about the dinosaur...  :)  The atmosphere and scale of the second one is very appealing. So it's to be Sea Cliffs? Should be amazing given your skills with water and rock!
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on January 22, 2018, 12:21:38 PM
I don't know if it's to be sea cliffs. I have a thing with water  >:( Too slow. Plenty of time still to make something nice.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on February 04, 2018, 02:00:21 AM
Another setup.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: archonforest on February 04, 2018, 03:00:54 AM
looks pretty nice already.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: AndyWelder on February 04, 2018, 03:02:11 AM
QuoteI have a thing with water  >:( Too slow.
The same here, a hate/love relation! Down to the horizon the render takes only a couple of minutes but the part with water fifteen, twenty minutes.
Those new cliffs look great, just wondering what those dots are.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: luvsmuzik on February 04, 2018, 06:56:00 AM
All are great, but that fish hook effect at the base of CLIFFS with dinosaur is cool. Sand effects pretty neat too in all of them. 
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Hannes on February 04, 2018, 09:21:49 AM
Looks fantastic!
I first thought the white vertical stuff represents bird droppings. But since each white part is perfectly vertical I guess, it's water?!
So...

Quote from: AndyWelder on February 04, 2018, 03:02:11 AM
...just wondering what those dots are.

Water too? If so, I'd say there should be many many more smaller and random sized spheres. Just a thought...
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on February 05, 2018, 02:57:43 AM
 ;)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on February 05, 2018, 02:59:41 AM
Almost forgot this; another setup I tried. Some interesting areas, but a lot of glitches and not natural enough.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: luvsmuzik on February 05, 2018, 07:32:44 AM
We have to be watching the same programs, I just saw those guys on the Nature Channel the other day... :)
(I know, you do this kind of stuff in real life.)

Rocks are nice, you must watch a few American Westerns filmed on location..your creation is absolutely possible in nature. I had to look real close while viewing an older western the other day to see if the canyon hideout was real or cardboard. old black and white film.

Many great options to chose from.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: bobbystahr on February 06, 2018, 01:09:31 AM
All good of course but I liked the last on, the birds on and  CLIFFS_17-01-18-v4B-test1.jpg best.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Hannes on February 06, 2018, 01:33:39 AM
Wow, the last one looks fantastic!!
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on February 07, 2018, 02:18:02 AM
I just keep on posting ideas and trials, but may come up with something very different in the end. So; another setup.

Too bad the fractal warp can't be controlled by altitude (at least I didn't get it to work).
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Hannes on February 07, 2018, 03:09:38 AM
The lower part looks great, but the upper part of the mountain somehow looks a bit like creamed. Is this accidental or is the snow distributed differently?
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on February 07, 2018, 03:11:32 AM
No, it's just a trial, and I attempted to give the top a soft snowy look, but the fractal warper can't be restricted to altitude. I also added some strata, but that didn't come out well either. Just a trial, I'll keep on messing  ;) But yes, snow is distributed differently too; lower by displacement intersection, top by slope only.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Hannes on February 07, 2018, 04:36:04 AM
Ah OK, Ulco. Keep on trying! :)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on February 07, 2018, 08:27:02 AM
I did  ;)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: zaxxon on February 07, 2018, 10:25:35 AM
It's always fun to watch you push the possible in TG!
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: AndyWelder on February 07, 2018, 12:57:58 PM
The last one is not a winner unless at a humor contest...  ;D
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: j meyer on February 07, 2018, 02:14:17 PM
 8) Me likey.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: cyphyr on February 07, 2018, 03:05:29 PM
Oh that is very "Ice Age". Nice one :)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: D.A. Bentley (SuddenPlanet) on February 07, 2018, 03:18:46 PM
I see a human head looking up into the sky.  The nose is a little small, but I think you might be able to see it.  ;)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: bobbystahr on February 07, 2018, 04:41:49 PM
Looking awesome...love that snow!
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on February 08, 2018, 03:58:19 AM
another one.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Hannes on February 08, 2018, 04:18:38 AM
A great sense of scale! Some minor crit: to me the top looks a bit too evenly covered in snow. As if it was painted. Shouldn't there be some spots without snow?
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on February 08, 2018, 06:53:59 AM
I could do that (and I might), but sometimes you see tops that are completely just all snow. Like this.

I need a free skier  ;)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Hannes on February 08, 2018, 07:44:33 AM
Oh, indeed.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: bobbystahr on February 08, 2018, 09:46:35 AM
That's a lovely if chilling photo, could be my back yard from the temps outside, currently -25 C. with a High predicted of -19 C.
What the hell am I doing here?
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: bla bla 2 on February 08, 2018, 02:30:39 PM
Very nice the last block.  8)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on February 09, 2018, 02:40:38 AM
With rock.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: bobbystahr on February 09, 2018, 02:46:37 AM
Quote from: Dune on February 09, 2018, 02:40:38 AM
With rock.

O K, I'm turning in my pixel license heh heh heh
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Stormlord on February 11, 2018, 09:45:09 AM
This is so sick.... What a picture, really phantastic!
Well Done, respect!

STORMLORD
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: zaxxon on February 11, 2018, 10:35:47 AM
 :P :P :P!
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: luvsmuzik on February 11, 2018, 07:00:47 PM
If it is that scary looking up, can you imagine....did he say skier?????

Very nice!
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on February 21, 2018, 03:37:39 AM
Something else, with procedural mountain track.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: bobbystahr on February 21, 2018, 09:51:41 AM
very cool
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Hannes on February 21, 2018, 12:32:49 PM
Indeed!
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: bla bla 2 on February 21, 2018, 12:39:41 PM
Nice Ulco.  :)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: luvsmuzik on February 21, 2018, 12:56:24 PM
Now that is a real cliff hanger.......stay tuned... ;D
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: bobbystahr on February 21, 2018, 01:11:51 PM
Quote from: luvsmuzik on February 21, 2018, 12:56:24 PM
Now that is a real cliff hanger.......stay tuned... ;D


groan
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: mhaze on February 21, 2018, 02:24:00 PM
Very nice and a great idea
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: AndyWelder on February 21, 2018, 05:58:14 PM
This is the kind of render that rubs my nose through the fact that I have way too little understanding of TG. I envy your skills, Ulco and I'm in awe... Such a poetic scene...
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Jo Kariboo on February 21, 2018, 08:55:58 PM
Not easy to achieve and also a very beautiful picture. I much prefer the light of the last one!  :)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on February 22, 2018, 02:03:49 AM
So do I; the mist was an experiment with shadows from objects, but it didn't come out as I hoped it would. But just took a few hours more. The lights are the illuminated glass parts of a lantern, but I tried some glow around them by adding a pop of invisible rocks, same seed as the lanterns with luminance of 6 or so. It's bareley visible and kind of tricky to get right.
Btw. the road system is available at NWDA, so anybody can do this in principle.
I like this concept too, but have to work on the rock. And I might need to get closer to that bridge, or you won't recognize that guy waving...
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: zaxxon on February 22, 2018, 08:44:31 AM
The rockwork is fantastic and the POV is spectacular, not sure about the lights on a cliff face path leading to a rope (?) bridge though. The light and the sense of space is very appealing.  :)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on February 22, 2018, 11:20:39 AM
These things grow, sort of. Started out as a rockwall and a complete bridge, then I thought about breaking down the bridge (ZBrush), and adding some planks (no rope). Then thought about adding the mountain track, then the lights came into it. I'll probably drop them again. Might add an old car on those planks, just for the fun of it.
And the rock still needs work (it started out as experimentation with several setups).
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on February 23, 2018, 02:11:07 AM
Other version.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: bobbystahr on February 23, 2018, 10:54:51 AM
I thought Ver 3 + road was already a winner myself.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Jo Kariboo on February 24, 2018, 07:40:00 AM
I prefer versions with lights.
For the rock formation I like the version BigRock_18-02-18_v5 + road-test2, but prefers the half-light mood of the version BigRock_v4 + road-2.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on February 25, 2018, 02:34:56 AM
Still not finished experimenting, and I might as well post. Changed the bridge too.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: René on February 25, 2018, 04:26:04 AM
I like them all, but the last one is really very impressive.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: archonforest on February 25, 2018, 05:08:00 AM
Looks like a road in India or Nepal....without the painted stripes... :P
Very nice render!!!
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Hannes on February 25, 2018, 05:10:02 AM
Especially the last one is fantastic!! Very atmospheric.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on February 25, 2018, 09:55:34 AM
Thanks guys, but now for some decent rocks  ;)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: DannyG on February 25, 2018, 10:01:18 AM
Top view is impressive
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: zaxxon on February 25, 2018, 10:25:48 AM
Now that's impressive!
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: bobbystahr on February 25, 2018, 11:11:59 AM
Agree with the others. I personally like this best as it gives context to the bridge///I like the "tour bus" down the road. Nice detail also handy for context. Keep on blowing my mind thank you very much!!!
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: luvsmuzik on February 25, 2018, 11:27:00 AM
Oh my! Don't look down!  :)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on February 25, 2018, 12:26:05 PM
Three more versions with better rocks.

Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: bobbystahr on February 25, 2018, 02:13:20 PM
ver 3 for me
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: archonforest on February 25, 2018, 04:03:05 PM
Monumental. The dept is awesome. Like a cool movie shot!
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: DannyG on February 25, 2018, 04:17:17 PM
Killer mood in this
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Hannes on February 26, 2018, 02:58:11 AM
Really cool! But there's one thing: to me the rocks look too big. Somehow makes the image look like a miniature. At least to me...
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: mhaze on February 26, 2018, 05:02:07 AM
number 3 for me too, great image.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: bobbystahr on February 26, 2018, 08:24:07 AM
Quote from: Hannes on February 26, 2018, 02:58:11 AM
Really cool! But there's one thing: to me the rocks look too big. Somehow makes the image look like a miniature. At least to me...

Upon 2nd look I have to agree...I thought there was something that was off on first flush, but I'm generally astounded so much by Ulco's work I assumed that was just me heh heh
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on February 26, 2018, 09:10:16 AM
Yes, maybe so. I'll try to reduce them. But here's another version, with the rock now masked by horizontal PF. That already makes a difference.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: luvsmuzik on February 26, 2018, 10:32:53 AM
Much better. I knew you wouldn't leave those little biscuits like that.  :)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: cyphyr on February 26, 2018, 03:52:57 PM
WOW, this is looking really good. Like a scene from a movie :)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Jo Kariboo on February 26, 2018, 04:20:48 PM
Very beautiful picture and atmosphere. The light and vegetation are excellent.
Just a critic for the the road, I do not know with this texture of what it is made and its lines that accompany it are a little strange.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on February 27, 2018, 02:09:41 AM
I initially had made a gravel road, but I wanted it to stand out a little more, hence the (old) tarmac and roadlines (to keep people on the road).
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: ajcgi on February 27, 2018, 07:25:37 AM
Great POV
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Hannes on February 27, 2018, 08:09:02 AM
Yes, that's much better!
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: zaxxon on February 27, 2018, 11:09:57 AM
Nice refinements in the rock walls, great atmosphere!
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: bobbystahr on February 27, 2018, 12:37:07 PM
Agree, Keep. On. Tweakin'.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on February 28, 2018, 02:32:24 AM
Well, I've had it with this one, off to something else again...  ;) Not very satisfied yet, though  >:(
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Jo Kariboo on February 28, 2018, 08:15:31 AM
You may not be satisfied, but it is the image so far that is the most photorealistic presented for this contest among all the participants gathered.  8)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: cyphyr on February 28, 2018, 10:20:01 AM
Lighting is neigh on perfect. Honestly thought it was a photo when I walked back in the room. Is the strata bands an image map?
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: bobbystahr on February 28, 2018, 10:22:11 AM
Agree with Richard on the 'most photo realistic' yet in the comp...really fools the eye.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Hannes on February 28, 2018, 10:46:11 AM
Truly fantastic (!!!!!),
but since I'm a notorious nitpicker, I'd say the wavesize is a bit too large to my taste and the stretched foam patterns perpendicular to the coast look a bit strange.

Otherwise incredibly good!!!
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on February 28, 2018, 11:09:02 AM
Well, that's encouraging. Thanks guys. So I'll continue working on this. Do nitpick!! Better version is rendering right now, without water, but low tide version (lot faster).
Lines are by contour shader. I don't really like the contour shader, but it kind of works here.
Yes, the foam lines are remains from windblown high waves at the ocean, but maybe too much, too large. Maybe I'll try to isolate the wave tops and stretch foam from there (somehow...).
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on March 01, 2018, 03:28:56 AM
Update. I used Daniil's erosion plugin on the lower parts, to get these streamlines. After that raised upland, etc. Landmass is a get position +  X to scalar + a smooth step, warped.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: cyphyr on March 01, 2018, 05:57:57 AM
Great update but I think your scale is a little off.
I'd make the ship 30% to 50% bigger and lower the displacement of the mud flats (the texturing of which is perfect) and lower the beach falloff angle by about 50%.
Looking great otherwise :)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on March 01, 2018, 08:22:25 AM
Thanks Richard. The ship is about 90m (I think about true size), so I'll start by lowering the displacements. Good idea, see what it does. I wasn't satisfied with the rockface, so good opportunity to change that as well.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: luvsmuzik on March 01, 2018, 09:44:22 AM
I figured your first shoreline cave was your clever use of a simple shape and sphere displacement.....now on the second of this series did your erosion application do the cave like depressions or just lucky coincidence?
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Hannes on March 01, 2018, 10:26:31 AM
The cliffs look great and the sandy part as well, but to me the scale is really off. The cliffs look huge and shot from a distance, but the sand part looks like shot from a meter distance.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on March 01, 2018, 10:31:59 AM
Cliffs are about 100m high, but I'm already trying a lower displacement on the muddy and debris part. See if that helps.

Cave is just a simple shape masking a distribution shader set to min and max altitude and a vector displacement shader, very simple.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: zaxxon on March 01, 2018, 10:57:49 AM
The second sea cliff has more technical brilliance, but I think the first one is a more appealing image.  What's to become of the wonderful vertigo inducing prior scene?  As always your visions and skills are astounding!
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: luvsmuzik on March 01, 2018, 11:15:57 AM
Quote from: Dune on March 01, 2018, 10:31:59 AM
Cliffs are about 100m high, but I'm already trying a lower displacement on the muddy and debris part. See if that helps.

Cave is just a simple shape masking a distribution shader set to min and max altitude and a vector displacement shader, very simple.

Oh I see now...you don't always make it separate like the famous arch is done....cool! Thanks!
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: René on March 01, 2018, 12:00:20 PM
Less imaginative than the previous ones but therefore more realistic. The flattened mountains in the distance fit well.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on March 01, 2018, 12:26:59 PM
Yes, that's something to consider too.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on March 02, 2018, 02:20:21 AM
Two more versions. I added the mechanical stuff for size comparison, but I don't know if I like it. Perhaps a simple ruin or lighthouse is more appropriate. Reduced the chunks of rock debris, which is better IMO. Also changed the higher hills.
There are also 3407 guillemots sitting on that cliff  ;)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: cyphyr on March 02, 2018, 07:04:56 AM
Definitely like the last one. Maybe the frame of a sunken wooden ship ... ?
Also the lighting was better in the first one, not sure what has changed (other than everything lol)
Like the guillemots!
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on March 02, 2018, 10:37:38 AM
What first one do you mean? I may have doubled haze or so.

Maybe this is appropriate, abandoned, modded oil rig, hung with 'ivy generated' seaweed.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Hannes on March 02, 2018, 10:51:57 AM
This looks really good!! But to me the wet sand or mud part still looks too large compared to the cliffs. Maybe it's just me, but when I look at the image I have the impression that the cliffs are just one meter high.
The wet part looks insanely good and so are the cliffs, but to my taste it just doesn't fit together scalewise.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Jo Kariboo on March 02, 2018, 11:19:41 AM
Tsunami?
The clif is excellent. I find the low tide unrealistic unless it announces a big tsunami. The low tide can sometimes spread over several kilometers as on your image but in the strongest tide of the century the water level reaches a maximum of 16 meters. I agree with what Hannes says about the sands and the size of the cliff.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on March 02, 2018, 11:59:18 AM
I see what you mean. Maybe the displacements are too smooth and simple, maybe it needs more gullies, etc. I'll try to find some refs.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Hetzen on March 04, 2018, 10:10:28 AM
Yeah you've lost the scale a bit in the last few iterations. I think it might have to do with the blanket reflectivity going on as well. Could probably do with toning down.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: bla bla 2 on March 04, 2018, 02:44:17 PM
I can do the tsunami, if you here alright, Ulco ?
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: DannyG on March 04, 2018, 03:26:22 PM
The cliff face looks excellent Ulco.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on March 05, 2018, 02:19:30 AM
Yes, that's a good idea, Jon. After working on something for a while one tends to overlook certain things (especially if other ideas to build get the overhand).
And, Bastien, a tsunami would be something for you to make. I guess you make something very special out of it.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on March 06, 2018, 01:51:33 AM
Plodding along and testing stuff. Still not what I hoped it would be.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Hannes on March 06, 2018, 09:33:31 AM
It might be a matter of taste. Both, the cliffs and the mud part look insanely good, if you take them separately, but to me they still don't fit scalewise.. I always have the impression that the cliff is a miniature. But maybe it's just my impression...
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: archonforest on March 06, 2018, 10:04:50 AM
Quote from: Hannes on March 06, 2018, 09:33:31 AM
It might be a matter of taste. Both, the cliffs and the mud part look insanely good, if you take them separately, but to me they still don't fit scalewise.. I always have the impression that the cliff is a miniature. But maybe it's just my impression...
Killer work here.
I can also see the scale issue...
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on March 06, 2018, 11:05:24 AM
 >:( :( ??? :-\ :'(

Still in this version? I don't see it, but if you all do, it must be me.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Hannes on March 06, 2018, 11:12:10 AM
This one is waaaay better. Only the boulders look a bit like pebbles. It might look better without them. I think...
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: archonforest on March 06, 2018, 11:47:12 AM
Quote from: Hannes on March 06, 2018, 11:12:10 AM
This one is waaaay better. Only the boulders look a bit like pebbles. It might look better without them. I think...

Yes great update. Agree with the boulders.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on March 06, 2018, 12:00:36 PM
Maybe less and closer to the cliffs, I'll try.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: cyphyr on March 06, 2018, 12:11:08 PM
This one is way better. Not a fan of the rig but that is immaterial to the quality of the image.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on March 07, 2018, 01:41:37 AM
I needed something to compare scale with, but I could think of something else maybe. Gulls, more trees, lighthouse...

These guys won't help much  ;)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: luvsmuzik on March 07, 2018, 08:22:03 AM
That mud is so realistically gooey, you would certainly sink right in. I suppose scaled down to 1/10th it is just too tight and loses all your wonderful detail. I agree it doesn't fit but I have not seen a reference, so you could be spot on.

Cliff is another masterpiece.

Sorry, you posted twice since I saw the latest. This is better mud. :)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: cyphyr on March 07, 2018, 08:36:04 AM
Quote from: Dune on March 07, 2018, 01:41:37 AM
I needed something to compare scale with, but I could think of something else maybe. Gulls, more trees, lighthouse...

These guys won't help much  ;)

How about one of your historical ships all rotted away with just the "bones" of the ship showing. Or you could do a petrified forest, just the stumps maybe.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on March 07, 2018, 11:41:10 AM
I had one of my bony shipwrecks in, but it was pretty small in comparison to the cliff, so hard to see. Maybe I put it back in, but you can't really know what size it is. Got a ruin now, but still experimenting with better cliff textures/displacements.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on March 08, 2018, 11:36:17 AM
Updated without the rig, but a ruin instead. Rockface is no good, but I might replace by the rocks of the second render. In that one I tried an arch like Hannes did to see whether I got the shadow issue... but I didn't. Just all normal. But I bent this sphere down, so maybe it's worse if you bend sideways....
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Jo Kariboo on March 09, 2018, 12:09:10 PM
Hi Dune,
Maybe some of his pictures might be suitable as references for your tide.

https://www.google.ca/search?client=firefox-b&dcr=0&biw=1322&bih=885&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=d76iWpvIB9GYtgWH57-4Aw&q=clifs+low+tide&oq=clifs+low+tide&gs_l=psy-ab.12...0.0.0.49519.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0....0...1c..64.psy-ab..0.0.0....0.zLiEfKndlaA

https://www.google.ca/search?client=firefox-b&dcr=0&biw=1322&bih=885&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=qb6iWtX0IoWGtQX_0re4Bw&q=seven+sisters+low+tide&oq=seven+sisters+low+tide&gs_l=psy-ab.3...24483.27944.0.28506.13.13.0.0.0.0.86.966.13.13.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..0.2.158...0i7i30k1j0i7i10i30k1j0i7i5i30k1.0.Zvcz4nbIjZc
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: luvsmuzik on March 09, 2018, 12:31:50 PM
Quote from: Jo Kariboo on March 09, 2018, 12:09:10 PM
Hi Dune,
Maybe some of his pictures might be suitable as references for your tide.

https://www.google.ca/search?client=firefox-b&dcr=0&biw=1322&bih=885&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=d76iWpvIB9GYtgWH57-4Aw&q=clifs+low+tide&oq=clifs+low+tide&gs_l=psy-ab.12...0.0.0.49519.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0....0...1c..64.psy-ab..0.0.0....0.zLiEfKndlaA

https://www.google.ca/search?client=firefox-b&dcr=0&biw=1322&bih=885&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=qb6iWtX0IoWGtQX_0re4Bw&q=seven+sisters+low+tide&oq=seven+sisters+low+tide&gs_l=psy-ab.3...24483.27944.0.28506.13.13.0.0.0.0.86.966.13.13.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..0.2.158...0i7i30k1j0i7i10i30k1j0i7i5i30k1.0.Zvcz4nbIjZc

Well looking at many of these, it is we who may be ignorant. Perhaps just a different POV on the mucky ones  :)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on March 10, 2018, 02:08:16 AM
Nice refs, thanks. I may have the sea coming in again, but my main point is a more appropriate cliff.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Gannaingh on March 10, 2018, 11:29:34 AM
Very nice! I really like the color variation you have in your cliff surface; it's very natural looking.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on March 11, 2018, 12:50:09 AM
Thanks. Here's a new setup. I may use these rocks on the tidal one.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: j meyer on March 11, 2018, 01:14:01 PM
 8) Very nice.  :)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: archonforest on March 11, 2018, 02:12:20 PM
great rocks and monumental view. :)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Jo Kariboo on March 12, 2018, 11:36:19 PM
Very nice! I very like the wave too!  :)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on March 13, 2018, 02:50:01 AM
I have to choose something to work out soon...
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: DannyG on March 13, 2018, 09:14:25 AM
Quote from: Dune on March 13, 2018, 02:50:01 AM
I have to choose something to work out soon...

You have lots of options that's for sure.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Hannes on March 14, 2018, 05:44:13 AM
Amazing stuff!
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Jo Kariboo on March 14, 2018, 09:15:54 AM
Excellent cliff again!
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on March 14, 2018, 02:17:57 PM
Thanks. Problem is I'm getting a lot to do coming weeks, so I hope I work something out a bit better for the final entry.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: bobbystahr on March 15, 2018, 10:55:04 AM
Quote from: Dune on March 14, 2018, 02:17:57 PM
Thanks. Problem is I'm getting a lot to do coming weeks, so I hope I work something out a bit better for the final entry.

No doubt you will, your most unsatisfying to you are miles above anything I've come up with so far...heh heh. Use any of em...
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on March 15, 2018, 12:55:33 PM
Maybe. The problem is I'm never satisfied, and there will undoubtedly be competitors who don't share their WIP's (for whatever reason) and come up with something astonishing.
Anyway, added back the water I turned off, but I hate those artifacts in the waves. I can clone them out of course, but I'm also a bit of a purist. And tried a new cliff face setup, not entirely what I envisioned though.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Hannes on March 15, 2018, 01:02:56 PM
The water looks great! Gives the image a sense of scale. The artifacts aren't too prominent I'd say. At least to me.
You changed the cliffs, didn't you? I prefer the previous ones, but ask ten people, and you'll get ten different opinions. Anyway, terrific work!!
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on March 15, 2018, 01:29:34 PM
Thanks Hannes. Yes, still playing with setups for a nice natural cliff. Very informative, I may have 10 different setups by now.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: bobbystahr on March 15, 2018, 09:59:47 PM
now yer just braggin heh heh
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: bla bla 2 on March 16, 2018, 02:46:09 PM
Pretty picture, Ulco's.  :D
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on March 17, 2018, 02:28:05 AM
With setups I mean different ways to make interesting cliffs. I always try them out on a simple cliffshape, and occasionally that grows out to something. At other times I make all into a clip if it looks any good and import it in a complete setup. Like now. But still not satisfied, as it doesn't look like a real cliff with those strange warps.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: bobbystahr on March 17, 2018, 02:31:37 AM
Quote from: Dune on March 17, 2018, 02:28:05 AM
With setups I mean different ways to make interesting cliffs. I always try them out on a simple cliffshape, and occasionally that grows out to something. At other times I make all into a clip if it looks any good and import it in a complete setup. Like now. But still not satisfied, as it doesn't look like a real cliff with those strange warps.

check...as you may have noticed I've yielded to the Fantasy /Fantastic style out of ineptitude.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Hetzen on March 17, 2018, 11:51:05 AM
It's looking good tho Ulco. Cliffs can have all sorts of warping going on. Do a Google on "chevron cliff", you'll see some extreme warping. I've just got back from a week in Cornwall in the UK and the south coast cliffs are pretty much all this pattern.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on March 24, 2018, 12:56:39 PM
Chevron cliffs are pretty weird indeed. I just keep it simple, I guess. So here are a few more tests.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: archonforest on March 24, 2018, 01:02:04 PM
These black and white versions are really cool!!!!!
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: cyphyr on March 24, 2018, 01:06:49 PM
These look great and the boat is exactly what I was talking about earlier. Shows off the scale nicely.
The last one is also worth persuing ... maybe soften the sharpness of the strata very slightly and bring the boat ribs to the foreground ...

Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: bobbystahr on March 24, 2018, 02:16:02 PM
Once again I find myself in agreement with Richard with the add on of "Please keep them greyscale"
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Oshyan on March 24, 2018, 03:35:23 PM
Agreed, the grayscale versions are fantastic. I think the addition of the foreground area also helps a lot though. Looking good!

- Oshyan
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Jo Kariboo on March 24, 2018, 11:12:22 PM
The cliff as well as the water and the clouds in the distance covering part of the mountains adds a beautiful landscape atmosphere to the seaside and are excellent. A small criticism about the plane on which are the birds and the seaside has a zone of gray having almost the same values making distinction of distance difficult. I have a feeling at first sight that they are on the same plane and at the same distance. The wreck is interesting but can not by itself create convincingly this distance.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on March 25, 2018, 02:08:37 AM
Thanks guys. I don't know if (or whether) I should enter with a B&W version. It can be realistic in terms of B&W photography of course. I like it too, but I hope to make it more like an Ansel Adams image then.
Jo, you're right and actually I was worried by the same issue. maybe some local haze or indeed a drastic change in hue (in color that wouldn't be a problem).
I did another rock setup yesterday, but I'm not pleased with it yet, way too regular. I also introduced a faultline, but it get's kind of funny with this straight rock. Nor do I like the water's edge. But I have a brilliant idea now...  8)

Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Hannes on March 25, 2018, 03:19:35 AM
WOW, those BW images are incredible! But I agree with Jo, and the last image shows the foreground better.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: WAS on March 25, 2018, 03:22:52 AM
Really gotta say, the way the beach rolls into the surf in the horizon is just beautiful. Love the cliff coloring too.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: DannyG on March 25, 2018, 08:16:49 AM
Lots of depth in this. The rock face is looks soo good
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Hetzen on March 25, 2018, 10:19:27 AM
Those are looking fantastic. Very crisp displacements. Great work.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: bobbystahr on March 25, 2018, 11:17:37 AM
Now I'm  torn as having seen the full colour version I lean heavily to it. You do such great realism it's be a shame to lose your colour sense....
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: luvsmuzik on March 25, 2018, 12:02:21 PM
As if all his ideas were not already brilliant....a real pleasure to watch WIPs :)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: bobbystahr on March 25, 2018, 12:11:28 PM
Quote from: luvsmuzik on March 25, 2018, 12:02:21 PM
As if all his ideas were not already brilliant....a real pleasure to watch WIPs :)


As if indeed.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: mhaze on March 25, 2018, 12:15:04 PM
Great work, Dune!
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on March 26, 2018, 02:29:26 AM
Here's my problem, in red the fault (vdisp the textures by a simple shape) which turns out ugly and repetitive, and in blue the 'too much repetition and angularity' problem. The strata are in fact just very hard XZ stretched PF mixes, displaced and colored at the same time.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Hannes on March 26, 2018, 04:13:36 AM
To me the areas you outlined aren't too bad. I think such things could occur in nature (I think everyone of us knows this phenomenon: you see something in nature and you think to yourself, if anyone would have rendered that, it would be a crappy render :))
However, what I find more disturbing is the area left of the red circle on the lower part of the cliff. The texture is even more distorted there. I don't know how you created your cliff in detail, and maybe this is just nonsense, but wouldn't a transform shader set to world space right before the "distortion" happens help?
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: René on March 26, 2018, 05:33:43 AM
Hannes is right. Feeding the shader through a transform shader using world space often does the trick.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: WAS on March 26, 2018, 05:39:42 AM
Quote from: René on March 26, 2018, 05:33:43 AM
Hannes is right. Feeding the shader through a transform shader using world space often does the trick.
Quote from: Hannes on March 26, 2018, 04:13:36 AM
but wouldn't a transform shader set to world space right before the "distortion" happens help?

What exactly is happening when you simply drop in a transform shader set to world space? Is the terrain after a "Compute Terrain" not in world space?
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on March 26, 2018, 06:23:32 AM
I do use that in a lot of cases, except where it disturbs further displacements, because IMO, using it means further warps are not working properly.
But the area you refer to is a cave! It should be distorted inwards. Only thing is that these caves are often hard t darken, except with lowering of GI, and I need to to be higher than usual again. Dilemma  ;)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Jo Kariboo on March 26, 2018, 10:37:14 PM
I really like this series and prefer this last version in color!
The particular displacements that you show in the circles of colors are unusual but it surely exists also in nature.
I also like your (angular rock) series.  :)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: DannyG on March 26, 2018, 10:49:39 PM
I really think the cliff face looked the best on page 8 "Cliffs of Moher 26-02-18-v4-test2B" to be honest. All of them have amazing qualities for sure, however personally that version to looks the most real.

Only 2 weeks to go ! 
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Kadri on March 27, 2018, 12:21:44 AM

Very nice work Ulco.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: bobbystahr on March 27, 2018, 12:28:30 AM
Quote from: Dune on March 26, 2018, 06:23:32 AM
I do use that in a lot of cases, except where it disturbs further displacements, because IMO, using it means further warps are not working properly.
But the area you refer to is a cave! It should be distorted inwards. Only thing is that these caves are often hard t darken, except with lowering of GI, and I need to to be higher than usual again. Dilemma  ;)

maybe put a negative light in the cave, used to work in imagine
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on March 27, 2018, 01:35:04 AM
Thanks guys. I see your point, Danny. That's my problem, I always want to test something new, and still have 2 ideas to work out. Maybe I will be too late entering  :P
Negative light, good of you to remind me, Bobby, I'll try that.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on March 28, 2018, 01:34:56 AM
Negative light is not really working (cave turns nasty black), though I didn't pursue it very far. I unchecked the cave for now. And tried another setup with warped strata in two layers. But I find it a bit contrived. Also some other seeds for cliff softness and warp. Still work to do...
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Jo Kariboo on March 28, 2018, 07:56:30 AM
The mood and water are excellent but I prefer precedent deplacement for the cliff!
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: bobbystahr on March 28, 2018, 11:13:42 AM
Quote from: Dune on March 28, 2018, 01:34:56 AM
Negative light is not really working (cave turns nasty black), though I didn't pursue it very far. I unchecked the cave for now. And tried another setup with warped strata in two layers. But I find it a bit contrived. Also some other seeds for cliff softness and warp. Still work to do...

Well it might have worked, apologies for wasting your time there.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Hannes on March 28, 2018, 11:41:12 AM
I'm not quite sure about your latest version. I think the previous ones were way better.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: bobbystahr on March 28, 2018, 11:51:15 AM
Quote from: Hannes on March 28, 2018, 11:41:12 AM
I'm not quite sure about your latest version. I think the previous ones were way better.

Ditto and I think this one, "Cliffs of Moher 26-02-18-v9B-test3.jpg", is my faveorite...I like the wee alcove that happens in it.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Hannes on March 28, 2018, 12:02:59 PM
Agreed. My favourite as well.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on March 29, 2018, 01:33:03 AM
I don't know if that's my favorite. But I'm not finished yet  ;) Here's another setup, still no good. I like some elements, but others not. Cave is set too low too.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: bobbystahr on March 29, 2018, 01:40:13 AM
Big like on the cave and I see what you mean but that's fix-able...watching this...
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: ajcgi on March 29, 2018, 05:27:42 AM
The cave is a lovely touch.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: René on March 29, 2018, 05:40:14 AM
Already very attractive. If you want to make the cave stand out more, you might want to use a second sunlight in the right place with extremely soft shadows.  Maybe some tiny detail for the rocks in some places without changing the overall look?
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on March 29, 2018, 07:58:32 AM
That's an idea, René, about the extra sun, though I try to keep render time down. Despite the huge number of nodes (I'm afraid it's not plug&play), it takes only 3 hours at 0.6 and 6. Already got better rock rendering (with small displacements).
A wide spotlight above the cave area may also work, very subtly.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: luvsmuzik on April 04, 2018, 10:25:04 AM
Whichever cliff you decide to use, it seems you have conquered the coastline foam.  ;D
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on April 05, 2018, 04:02:19 AM
I have so little time, but did a few adjustments. I think this will be my last test (without reflection and cloud for faster testing). Some minor editing will be done too, to birds, seagrass areas and stickingthroughstonegrasses. Unless someone detects another major flaw....

The sea near horizon has some strange stripes, but I guess it's remains from warping. It will be invisible in final with reflections.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Hannes on April 05, 2018, 04:16:11 AM
I guess, this is the best cliff you got. Very natural, and I think the scale looks perfect now. Of course the reflection of the water will be the icing on the cake. Great job, Ulco!
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: archonforest on April 05, 2018, 04:40:03 AM
Wow! Just love the foreground addition. Your render is almost ready for battle!(the water stripes) Good luck man!
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on April 05, 2018, 04:52:16 AM
Thanks guys. I'll post the full thing one of these days.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Gannaingh on April 05, 2018, 08:19:22 AM
Looks great, I especially like the walls along the cliff top!
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Jo Kariboo on April 05, 2018, 09:40:04 AM
I like this cliff and the addition of birds are good elements. I can not wait to see the finale with the clouds.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on April 05, 2018, 12:15:36 PM
It's nearing the finish line, having rendered for 7 hours now at 4K width.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Oshyan on April 05, 2018, 04:07:56 PM
You have a few grass instances that appear to be growing oddly on your rock in the foreground near the geese. Perhaps something to fix in a crop render?

- Oshyan
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on April 06, 2018, 02:16:22 AM
Yes, that was one of the edits I had to do. Thanks. Final is now ready (9 hpours) and amazingly the light/contrast is quite nice without any postwork. I'll post soon.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on April 07, 2018, 03:28:31 AM
Okay, here goes. I might have changed more subtle stuff and added things, but I'm getting fed up with it now, and need my time. 9 hours to render at this size @06 and 6, with soft shadows on. Virtually no post, not even color adjusts. I did try HDR change from an exr output, but it was too contrasty and I didn't like it. Automatic contrast made it too hard too, and I like the hazyness, it suits the wet environment.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Kadri on April 07, 2018, 03:32:52 AM

Looks very nice Ulco.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: luvsmuzik on April 07, 2018, 08:47:06 AM
Excellent! Not really bad render time for resolution tho. Your coastal foam here is great. Nice beach with debris and cave! Great rockface and vegetation outstanding. Good luck!
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Jo Kariboo on April 07, 2018, 09:02:14 AM
Beautiful! I enjoyed seeing all the evolution of your work to arrive at your final result.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: zaxxon on April 07, 2018, 02:13:44 PM
A truly excellent image! Tough competition in this contest no doubt!
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: mhaze on April 08, 2018, 04:21:10 AM
A wonderful piece. Great atmosphere and detail.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Hetzen on April 08, 2018, 11:40:56 AM
Loads of great detail there. Great bit of work.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: j meyer on April 08, 2018, 12:16:44 PM
+1. Well done.  :)
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Dune on April 09, 2018, 01:44:53 AM
Thanks guys.
Title: Re: Dune's cliff
Post by: Artice-3d on April 09, 2018, 07:53:51 AM
Congratulations Dune, the last work looks stunning  :o ;) :-X