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General => Image Sharing => Topic started by: plugsnpixels on November 19, 2016, 02:38:55 AM

Title: Exploring the NWDA packs
Post by: plugsnpixels on November 19, 2016, 02:38:55 AM
Just got the Dune's Beach v3 (http://www.store.nwdastore.com/complete-projects-tgd/dunes-beach-v3) project file today and have been exploring the beach. I changed the point of view to the opposite side of the rock arch and put the setting sun directly behind it.

1024x768 render took 34 minutes on a MacBook Air. RTP preview was unusually fast as well.

Followed up the original render with two artsy options in Topaz Impression (http://plugsandpixels.com/review_topaz.html).
Title: Re: Exploring the NWDA packs
Post by: Oshyan on November 19, 2016, 12:52:45 PM
That's a nice alternate perspective. I actually really like the middle Topaz result. Whereas I often feel the Topaz effects obscure the interest and beauty of the base TG image, in this case it ends up looking like a rather nice painting, particularly in the way the light plays around objects.

- Oshyan
Title: Re: Exploring the NWDA packs
Post by: bobbystahr on November 19, 2016, 01:10:07 PM
Quote from: Oshyan on November 19, 2016, 12:52:45 PM
That's a nice alternate perspective. I actually really like the middle Topaz result. Whereas I often feel the Topaz effects obscure the interest and beauty of the base TG image, in this case it ends up looking like a rather nice painting, particularly in the way the light plays around objects.

- Oshyan

Agree, I tend away from non natural post effects myself but the middle one is quite nice.
Title: Re: Exploring the NWDA packs
Post by: plugsnpixels on November 19, 2016, 01:34:15 PM
Thanks guys! Funny, I showed the example to my daughter earlier and she didn't like the middle one because of the obscured details...

Of course art is very subjective, so its success depends on the original image, the person viewing and the intended purpose of the piece.

What makes TG so special is the level of photorealism achieved, but being a scenery-generating app, the results also beg to be turned into art (as scenery is a classic subject). So it might also be marketed as an artist's tool for creating source scenery for further interpretation.

Here is another of my before-and-after TG/Topaz art examples, FWIW.

PS: I also like to add artsy or grunge to my own photographs, as in the attached example of LA, where I used several plug-ins (the tutorial is in one of my ezines (http://www.plugsandpixels.com/ezine.html)).
Title: Re: Exploring the NWDA packs
Post by: archonforest on November 19, 2016, 02:02:33 PM
I like that effect on the tree! Looks great.
Title: Re: Exploring the NWDA packs
Post by: plugsnpixels on November 20, 2016, 10:10:08 PM
Here's my Dune's Beach v3 render with Topaz Adjust applied (HDR presets mode). Note the accentuated clouds and sun glow, as well as the details in the shady side of the rock formation.
Title: Re: Exploring the NWDA packs
Post by: Dune on November 21, 2016, 02:42:08 AM
I'm not one for all sorts of effects, but I do like this. One thing; you should reduce the smallest size in the water shader. It's (probably) still at 10cm waves, but might be nicer set at 2cm or so from this low POV.
Title: Re: Exploring the NWDA packs
Post by: plugsnpixels on November 21, 2016, 03:27:36 AM
Thanks Dune, good advice.