Title: Displaced strata techniques (Was: Hells Bend: a render with shapes done with function nodes)
Post by: Volker Harun on January 31, 2007, 10:35:27 AM
Post by: Volker Harun on January 31, 2007, 10:35:27 AM
Hi Frank,
thanks for giving the tipp with presets coming ,-)
Well, I have played a bit with functions - but did not find anything with slope around - errr - did you use a normal distribution-shader for that one?
For anybody else ... use the normal shaders that you have and make some strata-displacement. Attached is a WIP.
Volker Harun
thanks for giving the tipp with presets coming ,-)
Well, I have played a bit with functions - but did not find anything with slope around - errr - did you use a normal distribution-shader for that one?
For anybody else ... use the normal shaders that you have and make some strata-displacement. Attached is a WIP.
Volker Harun
Title: Displaced strata techniques (Was: Hells Bend: a render with shapes done with function nodes)
Post by: littlecannon on February 02, 2007, 07:14:19 PM
Post by: littlecannon on February 02, 2007, 07:14:19 PM
Quote from: FrankB on January 31, 2007, 05:03:55 AM
this is simply an exponential function with a rotating exponent (a sinus)
Hi Frank
I love experimenting, but I have no idea what that actually means. I hazard a guess that it has something to do with the functions in the node network, but I can't find "an exponential function with a rotating exponent". I can find Exp colour and Exp scalar under Power in the Functions and I can find a Rotate Function... is this what you speak of? I attach a jpeg to make it clear what I'm saying.
Regards, Simon.
Title: Displaced strata techniques (Was: Hells Bend: a render with shapes done with function nodes)
Post by: old_blaggard on February 02, 2007, 07:48:42 PM
Post by: old_blaggard on February 02, 2007, 07:48:42 PM
Look at the parentheses: he says he used a sinus, aka a sine curve. I don't have TG2 open right now, but I'm guessing that's what he meant.
Title: Displaced strata techniques (Was: Hells Bend: a render with shapes done with function nodes)
Post by: littlecannon on February 03, 2007, 09:54:23 AM
Post by: littlecannon on February 03, 2007, 09:54:23 AM
Quote from: old_blaggard on February 02, 2007, 07:48:42 PM
Look at the parentheses: he says he used a sinus, aka a sine curve. I don't have TG2 open right now, but I'm guessing that's what he meant.
Yeah, I know what a sine curve is, that's not what I asked. I want to know what an exponential function with a rotating exponent means in plain English not math jargon, and what relates to it it in TG2, i.e. what am I looking for... Functions, a displacement, a type of shader.... Sorry for sounding ignorant, but i don't need to know math algorithms as my work involves design and artworking, not rocket science, so most of my math left me when I left school many years ago. So if anyone can spare the time to explain what this all means, then I'd love to know. A screen shot of what this is, would have cleared this up at the start and maybe hidden the fact that my math isn't that hot. :-\
Regards, Simon.
Title: Displaced strata techniques (Was: Hells Bend: a render with shapes done with function nodes)
Post by: FrankB on February 03, 2007, 11:18:53 AM
Post by: FrankB on February 03, 2007, 11:18:53 AM
Quote from: littlecannon on February 03, 2007, 09:54:23 AMQuote from: old_blaggard on February 02, 2007, 07:48:42 PM
Look at the parentheses: he says he used a sinus, aka a sine curve. I don't have TG2 open right now, but I'm guessing that's what he meant.
Yeah, I know what a sine curve is, that's not what I asked. I want to know what an exponential function with a rotating exponent means in plain English not math jargon, and what relates to it it in TG2, i.e. what am I looking for... Functions, a displacement, a type of shader....
Hi Simon,
by rotating exponent, I mean a range of values for the exponent that repeat over and over again. See, when you use an exponent function, e.g. exp(y), it will quite rapidly grow into enormeously high values. So instead of exp(y), I am using exp(sin(y)), which only returns values between 0.36 and 2.7 (the exp function then provides a particular shape for the curve)
Now why am I using this function anyway? The idea started with wanting to create terraces and overhangs based on the altitude of e.g. a canyon wall. So for example, every 10 meters, I want the steep wall to become an overhanging terrace.
If you would like to see how exp(sin(x)) looks like you may want to use this function plotter: http://www.univie.ac.at/future.media/moe/fplotter/fplotter.html
QuoteSorry for sounding ignorant, but i don't need to know math algorithms as my work involves design and artworking, not rocket science, so most of my math left me when I left school many years ago. So if anyone can spare the time to explain what this all means, then I'd love to know. A screen shot of what this is, would have cleared this up at the start and maybe hidden the fact that my math isn't that hot. :-\
Regards, Simon.
It's true, you shouldn't be required to be a math head to work with TG2. But just because functions are available, it doesn't mean they are there for you in particular. I think functions are aimed at individuals which are skilled enough to understand the internals of a renderer, so that they can create new functionality. I myself don't count me in that group, although I understand a wee bit of the math required. But what I do know is that those cool effect created with functions will become easy to use presets in TG2 at a later stage. I think many "regular" shaders available today have been built using functions. To us, those "regular" shaders become easy to work with, but we don't comprehend HOW they actually work internally. So no need to feel bad about that.
Anyway, I don't want to give away the complete setup of this scene so soon. I have committed to providing the scene to Planetside for them to consider a preset based on that, but that's all about what I'm prepared to give for now. Anyway, once it has become a preset, you don't need to worry about the internal functions anymore ;D
Cheers,
Frank
Title: Displaced strata techniques (Was: Hells Bend: a render with shapes done with function nodes)
Post by: Volker Harun on February 03, 2007, 01:02:29 PM
Post by: Volker Harun on February 03, 2007, 01:02:29 PM
Hi,
attached is a simple file showing displaced strata along one axis.
You can see in the image that at the vertikal view to the axis, the strata looks weird, but interesting.
Guess that Frank's and Oshyan's presets will be more versatile - but for the meantime ...
Volker
Edit: Do not forget to generate the heightfield, to see the effect ;D
attached is a simple file showing displaced strata along one axis.
You can see in the image that at the vertikal view to the axis, the strata looks weird, but interesting.
Guess that Frank's and Oshyan's presets will be more versatile - but for the meantime ...
Volker
Edit: Do not forget to generate the heightfield, to see the effect ;D
Title: Displaced strata techniques (Was: Hells Bend: a render with shapes done with function nodes)
Post by: littlecannon on February 03, 2007, 01:22:15 PM
Post by: littlecannon on February 03, 2007, 01:22:15 PM
Hi Frank, Thanks very much for the explanation and giving away what you could, I'll be tinkering away and finding out what I can... and to Volker, thanks for the tgd, I'm going to give that a look now.
Simon. ;D
Simon. ;D
Title: Displaced strata techniques (Was: Hells Bend: a render with shapes done with function nodes)
Post by: BPauba on February 03, 2007, 02:43:05 PM
Post by: BPauba on February 03, 2007, 02:43:05 PM
Quote from: Voulge on February 03, 2007, 01:02:29 PM
Hi,
attached is a simple file showing displaced strata along one axis.
You can see in the image that at the vertikal view to the axis, the strata looks weird, but interesting.
Guess that Frank's and Oshyan's presets will be more versatile - but for the meantime ...
Volker
Edit: Do not forget to generate the heightfield, to see the effect ;D
Great work man. Very cool
Title: Displaced strata techniques (Was: Hells Bend: a render with shapes done with function nodes)
Post by: FrankB on February 03, 2007, 05:36:09 PM
Post by: FrankB on February 03, 2007, 05:36:09 PM
Quote from: Voulge on February 03, 2007, 01:02:29 PM
Hi,
attached is a simple file showing displaced strata along one axis.
You can see in the image that at the vertikal view to the axis, the strata looks weird, but interesting.
Guess that Frank's and Oshyan's presets will be more versatile - but for the meantime ...
Volker
Edit: Do not forget to generate the heightfield, to see the effect ;D
Very cool concept, indeed! :D
Title: Displaced strata techniques (Was: Hells Bend: a render with shapes done with function nodes)
Post by: Mohawk20 on February 06, 2007, 05:50:57 PM
Post by: Mohawk20 on February 06, 2007, 05:50:57 PM
By keeping to Franks hints, I've conjured up this little configuration.
As you might have guessed, it doesn't work (Oh wonder)...
That is mainly because I have yet limited understanding of the alliance and order of nodes.
If anyone with a little more understanding of nodes want to help brainstorm about this, please do...
We have to be able to achieve this. One man could, so we as a team should be too.
As you might have guessed, it doesn't work (Oh wonder)...
That is mainly because I have yet limited understanding of the alliance and order of nodes.
If anyone with a little more understanding of nodes want to help brainstorm about this, please do...
We have to be able to achieve this. One man could, so we as a team should be too.
Title: Re: Displaced strata techniques (Was: Hells Bend: a render with shapes done with function nodes)
Post by: Tangled-Universe on February 14, 2007, 07:56:03 AM
Post by: Tangled-Universe on February 14, 2007, 07:56:03 AM
Looking at Frank's explanation, thanks for that Frank by the way!, I'd say you should reverse the order...well, at least don't start with the exp scalar.
I'd try to start with the y scalar, then the sin and then the exp, or start with sin, then y scalar and then the exp. Haha, this sounds really stupid ;D
I have the most faith in the first option, lol :)
Martin
I'd try to start with the y scalar, then the sin and then the exp, or start with sin, then y scalar and then the exp. Haha, this sounds really stupid ;D
I have the most faith in the first option, lol :)
Martin
Title: Re: Displaced strata techniques (Was: Hells Bend: a render with shapes done with function nodes)
Post by: Ogre on March 12, 2007, 12:39:32 PM
Post by: Ogre on March 12, 2007, 12:39:32 PM
I was able to generate this effect
Title: Re: Displaced strata techniques (Was: Hells Bend: a render with shapes done with
Post by: rcallicotte on March 12, 2007, 01:59:26 PM
Post by: rcallicotte on March 12, 2007, 01:59:26 PM
Cool. It looks like the side of a huge water tank.
Title: Re: Displaced strata techniques (Was: Hells Bend: a render with shapes done with function nodes)
Post by: Ogre on March 12, 2007, 02:28:01 PM
Post by: Ogre on March 12, 2007, 02:28:01 PM
Yeah..It was just a circular image displacement :)
Ran it over lunch on a Strata shader and got this
Ran it over lunch on a Strata shader and got this
Title: Re: Displaced strata techniques (Was: Hells Bend: a render with shapes done with function nodes)
Post by: old_blaggard on March 12, 2007, 04:46:45 PM
Post by: old_blaggard on March 12, 2007, 04:46:45 PM
Interesting....
Title: Re: Displaced strata techniques (Was: Hells Bend: a render with shapes done with
Post by: rcallicotte on March 13, 2007, 09:22:19 AM
Post by: rcallicotte on March 13, 2007, 09:22:19 AM
The pyramids! (in the background)
Title: Re: Displaced strata techniques (Was: Hells Bend: a render with shapes done with function nodes)
Post by: Ogre on March 13, 2007, 09:47:53 AM
Post by: Ogre on March 13, 2007, 09:47:53 AM
Here is a series of functions that can be used to ripple the terrain by changing the various constants. I applied 1 in the Y direction and 1 in the X direction.
1 constant will vary the Y Frequency and 1 Will vary the X frequency. Lower numbers means less frequent ripples.
The Amplitude constant changes the amplitude of the Y.
1 constant will vary the Y Frequency and 1 Will vary the X frequency. Lower numbers means less frequent ripples.
The Amplitude constant changes the amplitude of the Y.