Sierra's WIP

Started by Tangled-Universe, January 24, 2016, 06:53:48 AM

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Tangled-Universe

Quote from: Dune on January 29, 2016, 03:46:15 AM
I must do some nitpicking, Martin. Everybody is very enthusiastic about the rocks, but, to be honest, I find them a bit dull. Especially with this lighting the shore on the left is one mass without much distinction. It might be so in the Sierra's, and in that case I would find a POV or lighting where the rocks are not such a big part of the render. Unles you will break it all up with grasses and stuff, perhaps.
I do like the algue on the rocks where they are wet.

Nitpicking is being bothered about details, so to me your concerns aren't nitpicking at all :)

Without trying to use the words "It's planned for" as a standard reply/escape....it is planned for to improve ;)

The lighting is indeed the problem. It creates the flat look and it's also why it's rather bright, but that's no problem. In photography you deal with the same issues.
The reason I chose this lighting direction is two-fold:
1) lighting from behind, especially with sunset situations etc., is the only situation in TG to get really well lit vegetation and good quality of GI in the vegetation.
2) it's a challenge and your concerns prove that, Ulco.

I'll sum up, again partly, what's planned for in the next couple of days (tomorrow is shitty weather -> TG-day? yay!)
- more granite variation on stones
- finding a way to have the lichen work on the bottom of the stones (the existing variation in granite shades already works poorly right now)
- twigs/debris etc. between the rocks
- some more varied vegetation near the trees
- replace 1 or 2 tree models with others, or reduce coverage of existing to fit 1 or 2 pine-like species into it, rather than firs.
- maybe create a patch of shore with less stones and have some grasses/mosses instead
- maybe(!) some clouds

Any other ideas?

AP

#61
Maybe not so much a patch of shore but maybe random breaks in the rocks with vegetation as seen in the photographs. Notice how both go out to the water. Just an idea.

Tangled-Universe

Thanks for thinking along, I really appreciate that :)

I like the second reference, something definitely "do-able".

Things are becoming quite complex already in the network though. Choices and trade-offs :D

Tangled-Universe

Ha! I just performed a reverse image search on the latest version and some of the very few hits were photos from the Sierras :)

Tangled-Universe

I moved the sun 5 degrees away from the camera and another 5 degrees lower...I like the how the light streaks on the distant trees near the shore :)
I think I'll move it back 1 or 2 degrees to create a bit more of that streaking light.

The lower sun already improves the look of the stones, but they still need the suggested and discussed work.

This is straight from the render btw...no post-processing.

bobbystahr

re: lighting....it can also be adjusted from within the camera(exposure)....I find the slider on the left side of the 3D preview to be invaluable as it gives 'real time' feedback.
something borrowed,
something Blue.
Ring out the Old.
Bring in the New
Bobby Stahr, Paracosmologist

Tangled-Universe


Shigawire

#67
Looks muy muy nice Martin :D

Edit: I know you know this already, but yeah the rock surfaces need some work

AP

Quote from: Tangled-Universe on January 29, 2016, 10:26:48 AM
Ha! I just performed a reverse image search on the latest version and some of the very few hits were photos from the Sierras :)

Great, glad the photos helped.

Altering the sun position defiantly gives the surfaces more definition.

bobbystahr

Quote from: Tangled-Universe on January 29, 2016, 12:46:36 PM
Ehhh...yes? :)

heh heh....Just checking...didn't notice it for the longest time myself...
something borrowed,
something Blue.
Ring out the Old.
Bring in the New
Bobby Stahr, Paracosmologist

Kadri

#70

Did you tried a position of the sun that comes from the upper left to the lower right Martin? Like the flow of the river?
If the look of the lighting is good it might help with the composition aspect too maybe...

paq

I understand your concern about rock definition, but I do think the image posted on page 4 was much better  :-\
Gameloft

Ariel DK

Hi Martin, really nice scene. I want be the first to ask: The terrain it's a DEM, or procedurally created?
the rest is fractal poetry for my eyes.
Hmmm, what version of Terragen does God use?

Tangled-Universe

Quote from: Kadri on January 29, 2016, 08:02:03 PM

Did you tried a position of the sun that comes from the upper left to the lower right Martin? Like the flow of the river?
If the look of the lighting is good it might help with the composition aspect too maybe...

Yes I did lighting basically first, then I started working on the terrain.
I explored sun rotation in 15 degree increments all way round and at 5, 10 and 15 degrees angle.
Yes indeed, that's 72 conditions. Takes about 5-10 minutes to check though...

Quote from: paq on January 29, 2016, 09:50:12 PM
I understand your concern about rock definition, but I do think the image posted on page 4 was much better  :-\

Fair enough, but why?
Being honest is very much desired, but without an argument it's kind of useless, right? ;)

I can't stress enough that the stones are still to be worked on...

Generally speaking it seems no one is reading what others and I are saying.
They look at the picture and don't seem to check what has been said already.

Quote from: Ariel DKMultimedia on January 29, 2016, 10:52:54 PM
Hi Martin, really nice scene. I want be the first to ask: The terrain it's a DEM, or procedurally created?
the rest is fractal poetry for my eyes.

Thanks mate :)

The terrain is from WM and everything you see in relation to distribution of stones and trees is using masks derived from WM's erosion.
This terrain has been eroded 3x, twice with fluvial erosion and once with thermal erosion.

bobbystahr

Quote from: Tangled-Universe on January 30, 2016, 05:03:34 AM
..
Generally speaking it seems no one is reading what others and I are saying.
They look at the picture and don't seem to check what has been said already.

I call that FaceBook syndrome...causes many a flame war there
something borrowed,
something Blue.
Ring out the Old.
Bring in the New
Bobby Stahr, Paracosmologist