My wish list...

[freelancah]

One thing no one seems to have addressed is that you can already easily import your own cloud maps. Simply plug an Image Map Shader into the Density Shader input of a Cloud Layer, load your image map (of the cloud shapes you want to use), and apply the correct projection. For example if you are loading a full global cloud map in a spherical projection, then use Spherical Mapping in the Image Map Shader. That will get you the basic shapes driving your clouds, but you may want more realistic edges, break-up, etc. in which case you could use the Image Map Shader instead as a Blend Shader for the normal Cloud Layer Density Shader.

- Oshyan

Don't forget to change the image maps position same as the planets center if you use spherical mapping. A logical step but easily missed

[blackcat]

seriously, man, the water in TG2 is real good and the only weak point i can imagine for the workaround stuff, will be to make really convincing waves (like shores and all). not mentionning animating waves

I agree! TG2 can do some very impressive things water-wise! I was mainly suggesting some streamlining to help eliminate the need for so much experimentation and work-arounds. As I've mentioned, I'm not really a TG2 hobbyist and tend to look at it from a practical point of view.

The thing I would probably most like to see is (as you say) more work on waves, especially if they could react with objects and be made directional.

R

[blackcat]

One thing no one seems to have addressed is that you can already easily import your own cloud maps. Simply plug an Image Map Shader into the Density Shader input of a Cloud Layer, load your image map (of the cloud shapes you want to use), and apply the correct projection. For example if you are loading a full global cloud map in a spherical projection, then use Spherical Mapping in the Image Map Shader. That will get you the basic shapes driving your clouds, but you may want more realistic edges, break-up, etc. in which case you could use the Image Map Shader instead as a Blend Shader for the normal Cloud Layer Density Shader.

- Oshyan

Don't forget to change the image maps position same as the planets center if you use spherical mapping. A logical step but easily missed

And people wonder why I think TG2 needs a manual! 

[blackcat]

I'm actually pleased to see that the majority of your suggestions are already possible, several of them without "workarounds" (yet what is a "workaround" but simply a way to do something that is not what you expect?).

I think I was using the word to suggest things that are not intuitive but need to be discovered through experimentation or trial and error. Or something that should have a more direct, simpler solution. My suggestion regarding sloping water courses is one. Being able to tilt a lake on one or both horizontal axes seems simpler and more direct than the solution one of the users invented...one which even the people who have tried it don't find entirely adequate. It's certainly more time-consuming.

As I've mentioned here and there, I tend to look at TG2 as a working tool, which means that there is seldom the luxury of spending hours ferreting out a way to do something or waiting to hear back from someone here in the Forums (as generous and helpful as all these people are!  No complaints there!). Anything that streamlines TG2 makes it much more appealing to the professional artist.

The biggest outstanding issue with most of your requests would seem to be the lack of a comprehensive manual which should at least tell you one way (of many possible) to accomplish much of what you want to do. We certainly agree that docs are needed, and work is being done in that area.

Whew!