Heck,...

[FrankB]

...I'm opening a new thread for this. Who with his right mind would assume a new image on page 5 of an old thread (now that I can't hint you on this anymore, because I cannot modify the 1st post's title anymore).

Anyway, here's the latest version of my rock for surface preset. Personally, I like it much better than the previous versions.
3000px wide, crazy detail.

http://nwda.deviantart.com/art/Rock-wall-22b-153286594

Cheers,
Frank

[domdib]

Very hard to choose between this one and the last one - both are great - but I think this one just edges it.

[Seth]

very very realistic Frank !

[cyphyr]

Better distribution all round
Richard

[Saurav]

Frank I prefer this one over the other versions too, looks more natural to my eye.

[Gannaingh]

Oh heck! Nice work Frank, I really like the prominence of the cracks in this latest one. Also there is just something about the background, unfortunately I can't put my finger on it, that I think makes the background more realistic than your previous iterations. Nice post!

[Tangled-Universe]

Cool work Frank
The cracks really add something, but perhaps they are a bit too strong and need a bit smoother appearance.
Else it is just damn fine work

Cheers,
Martin

...I'm opening a new thread for this. Who with his right mind would assume a new image on page 5 of an old thread (now that I can't hint
you on this anymore, because I cannot modify the 1st post's title anymore).

I'm considering this too with my latest canyon work. This "solution" is a real pain in this regard. Interest drops quickly when people don't know there's something new to see. The result is a new topic, but not a really new image. Oh well.

[FrankB]

Thanks guys, much appreciated.
I'm happy with the distribution of everything now, which wasn't so well (at least to my taste) in the previous renders.
The cracks are a little accentuated, agree, maybe I'll tune down the default displacement for these a bit. It's a little bit up to the blending shaders as well. I shall see.
Cheers,
Frank

[Tangled-Universe]

Yes the distribution improved indeed. I also like the somewhat smoother appearance of the main rocksurface now. If it wasn't smooth I'd find the cracks to be spot on. Glad you agree with that

Cheers,
Martin

[Henry Blewer]

I have been impressed with this entire exercise. The problem I have is taking it in as a whole. I need to see the full image and zoom in. I'll download it and look at in a paint program.

Big File! 1.6 MB

[Henry Blewer]

Wow! It's very difficult to tell this from a photo Frank. I have a question. I like the smooth edges at the top of the cliff faces. Can you tell us how this was done? It really helps give the image a better 'photo' look.

[FrankB]

yeah, sure: I have faded out the rock wall surface by an altitude constraint, so that it becomes null near the top of the canyon.
Also, "fractal detail" has been completely switched off in the heightfield shader (my rock wall is producing enough detail), which is why the terrain is really soft where no additional displacement is applied to.

Cheers,
Frank

[Henry Blewer]

The fractal detail being switched off is a new one for me. I would never have thought of it. I had a feeling you used an altitude constraint. Thanks!

[FrankB]

Oh heck! Nice work Frank, I really like the prominence of the cracks in this latest one. Also there is just something about the background, unfortunately I can't put my finger on it, that I think makes the background more realistic than your previous iterations. Nice post!

maybe that is because the sun is shining more from the side now, which also let's you see more of the background, as that detail is not lost in the haze glow anymore.
Cheers and thanks,
Frank

[Henry Blewer]

At least with a thread title like this, it will not be hard to find.

Turning off the fractal detail works well. Great tip!