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General => Terragen Discussion => Topic started by: viche12345 on February 13, 2007, 06:42:47 PM

Title: Blocky Clouds?
Post by: viche12345 on February 13, 2007, 06:42:47 PM
Hi all,

Why do I get blocky clouds in my render? As you can see in the test render I attached, the close-up clouds appear very blocky, as if small white cubes assemble to make the cloud.

Settings for the close-up cloud are:
-1274 samples with acceleration cache on
-Overall render quality 0.5
-Anti aliasing: 3

If I need to post more info, please do tell me.

Thanks

EDIT: I have the free version of T2TP
Title: Re: Blocky Clouds?
Post by: Will on February 13, 2007, 06:45:07 PM
I can't see the attached image. But offhand I would say that you are either in the cloud (which currently has some problums) or it could be that one of your cloud setting are to high like edge sharpness ect.

Regards,

Will
Title: Re: Blocky Clouds?
Post by: viche12345 on February 13, 2007, 06:46:39 PM
Wow, Will. Are you online 24/7 or something? Haha just kidding. Just a coincidence I know.

Well, I had trouble attaching the image. I will link to my server. URl:
http://www.mediamax.com/viche12345/Hosted/test.PNG
Title: Re: Blocky Clouds?
Post by: dhavalmistry on February 13, 2007, 06:48:21 PM
that looks like acceleration cache issue...try turning it off...

cloud layer > Quality
Title: Re: Blocky Clouds?
Post by: Will on February 13, 2007, 06:49:06 PM
Well I'm on around 9/7 but that anouther topic.

I have seen your porblum before and I'm looking for the thread if you can give me a minute I'll find it for you.

also try what david says

Regards,

Will
Title: Re: Blocky Clouds?
Post by: old_blaggard on February 13, 2007, 07:36:43 PM
It's the acceleration cache.  The rest of the clouds look nice, but prepare yourself for a looong render once you turn the cache off.
Title: Re: Blocky Clouds?
Post by: Will on February 13, 2007, 07:38:22 PM
I suggest renting a feature length movie and kicking back for a while.

Regards,

Will
Title: Re: Blocky Clouds?
Post by: old_blaggard on February 13, 2007, 07:39:05 PM
Maybe the Lord of the Rings extended trilogy :P.
Title: Re: Blocky Clouds?
Post by: Will on February 13, 2007, 07:40:32 PM
Titanic-Directer Cut hehe

sorry
Title: Re: Blocky Clouds?
Post by: dhavalmistry on February 13, 2007, 07:43:06 PM
maybe both.... ;)
Title: Re: Blocky Clouds?
Post by: Will on February 13, 2007, 07:45:50 PM
but he should also get the Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus just ing case thats not enough.

But yea as we said turning off the acceleration but it take a lot longer and it might be better if you do it over night.

Regards,

Will
Title: Re: Blocky Clouds?
Post by: viche12345 on February 13, 2007, 08:20:22 PM
It's ironic that I've watched all of that already...LOL!!

LOTR Trilogy extended...11 hour marathon with my friends on January 5, 2007. It was a great party! LOL

BTW, thanks for the advice everyone.

EDIT: Don't worry. For long renders, I'll just pause and use the hibernate feature!
Title: Re: Blocky Clouds?
Post by: mrwho on February 13, 2007, 08:25:31 PM
i did that once, it was great
Title: Re: Blocky Clouds?
Post by: Will on February 13, 2007, 08:27:59 PM
Good times, good times (its a joke get it   :D )

Regards,

Will
Title: Re: Blocky Clouds?
Post by: dhavalmistry on February 13, 2007, 08:38:31 PM
Quote from: Will on February 13, 2007, 08:27:59 PM
Good times, good times (its a joke get it   :D )

Regards,

Will

LOTR is not a great movie to have those kinda "good times" although Titanic is at some points.... :D
Title: Re: Blocky Clouds?
Post by: king_tiger_666 on February 14, 2007, 02:22:16 AM
i don't think you need anywhere near 1200 samples for that render by the looks of what you posted...

BTW there seem to be a few threads which lose the plot and take a tangent.. this is nearing the pizza world :o ;) ;)
Title: Re: Blocky Clouds?
Post by: dhavalmistry on February 14, 2007, 09:39:45 AM
ok here is an example of what king_tiger_666 said....

the clouds are low density (0.06) rendered with 250 samples
Title: Re: Blocky Clouds?
Post by: Will on February 14, 2007, 09:43:57 AM
Nice

regards,

Will
Title: Re: Blocky Clouds?
Post by: viche12345 on February 19, 2007, 05:45:35 PM
Disabling acceleration cache leads to gigantic white blobs. How can I produce realistic-looking clouds?

Title: Re: Blocky Clouds?
Post by: king_tiger_666 on February 19, 2007, 06:29:35 PM
actually disabling acceleration cache should produce better looking clouds...

if you don't mind , post your tgd file/ screen shot of white blobs and we might be able to see whats happening/ going wrong for you

also i find using multiple layers for my clouds seems to work well. 

Title: Re: Blocky Clouds?
Post by: viche12345 on February 19, 2007, 06:46:37 PM
The area circled in red is the area of concern.

The render is still running so I'll post more later.

(http://www.mediamax.com/viche12345/Hosted/untitled.PNG)
Title: Re: Blocky Clouds?
Post by: king_tiger_666 on February 19, 2007, 06:57:02 PM
I've had blocky clouds caused by accleration cache being turned on see this thread
http://forums.planetside.co.uk/index.php?topic=105.0  the very last image on the thread..


Title: Re: Blocky Clouds?
Post by: viche12345 on February 19, 2007, 10:51:27 PM
I'm trying to recreate this image:
http://homepages.slingshot.co.nz/~rawjdmbj/gallery/terragen2/big/tg2_011.jpg

Attached is what I have so far

I have also attached my tgd file.

Title: Re: Blocky Clouds?
Post by: king_tiger_666 on February 19, 2007, 10:56:49 PM
you can download my file from my site for that cloud render its done with 4 layers of clouds.

i like the higher clouds in your render good job... also that render of mine took way too long 75hrs... i don't think you want to run anywhere near that..

Title: Re: Blocky Clouds?
Post by: viche12345 on February 19, 2007, 11:46:58 PM
THAT'S YOUR FILE?!!!!!

Heh, never knew that. How did you get the clouds right in front of the camera so sharp?

EDIT: I found your file and will look into it soon. Thanks!
Title: Re: Blocky Clouds?
Post by: king_tiger_666 on February 20, 2007, 12:17:27 AM
yip thats mine  ;D... very slow camera movement and also moving the camera to the cloud altitude first, I usually turn most of the clouds off during preview/ camera movement so the preview window is quicker..

also if you open the file you will want to turn cloud samples down or the preview window willn't show anything!!... preview with clouds at 20 samples each should do nicely..

hope you enjoy the file



Title: Re: Blocky Clouds?
Post by: viche12345 on February 20, 2007, 04:30:33 AM
Ah, so maybe my camera is too close to the clouds and I should be more careful adjusting camera positioning next time. Si?