An Uninvited Visitor

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An Uninvited Visitor // Image Gallery

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Post by W!ZARD // Oct 4, 2008, 10:51pm

W!ZARD
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An uninvited visitor - a dragon attracted by the unmistakeable scent of Magic - swoops low over the rooftops of the Wizards new castle.


Originally rendered at 2400x1500 this version naturally lacks detail. It's rendered to file from tS 7.6 WorkSpace and features my new Castle (still a WIP at this stage), a few trees I made and a trial skydome arrangement.


The skydome is comprised of 3 layers plus the starfield object. The outer layer is a sphere using Parva's Sky shader suitably adjusted for night time. The starfield object, also spherical in shape, sits just inside the sky dome and is textured using a constant shader to provide a suitably starry look.. Slightly smaller again is the cloud layer which has it's transparency controlled by an alpha shader and it's brightness by a constant shader.Marginally smaller again is the landscape sphere which is alpha masked to allow the sky to show.


The cloud and landscape images are created from a panorama I made using Vue 6 Pro Studio.


The dragon is my "Agrond the Red" character. My trusty Wizard character (hard to see at this resolution) is standing on the bridge.


The picture is a little dark on my old CRT but looks great on my LCD screens.


Not much else to say about this one other than I've entered it in the latest Caligallery and that i hope it's of sufficient quality to inspire others to explore the potential of the real time view.


The scene file for this image is massive - 128 Mb of detailed geometry and BIG texture maps. Even with Glow, Supersampling and AA all switched on it's possible to move around in this scene with almost no lag at all.


As always, comments and crits and compliments always appreciated. I'll soon be posting a higher resolution version in my Rendo Gallery too.

Post by kena // Oct 5, 2008, 3:19am

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Excellent work as usual W!ZARD. It's a bit dark for me, but the composition is perfect.

Post by robert // Oct 5, 2008, 4:51am

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If you hadn't said it was real time I never would have guessed, that's how amazing it is!:D

Post by splinters // Oct 5, 2008, 5:10am

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It is a little too dark here too Wizard but, from what I can see, it is an excellent piece of work and doubly impressive considering it is realtime!


Have this:


:banana:

Post by MadMouse // Oct 5, 2008, 5:23am

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Got to agree with the dark comments Stephen. But the scene has good composition and a very atmospheric feel to it. Good work mate.

Post by butterpaw // Oct 5, 2008, 5:25am

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Must be my monitor matches yours .. to me.. it's perfect :D

Post by noko // Oct 5, 2008, 11:52am

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Looking good here also. W!ZARD, does Vue Pro Studio save Spherical Panoramas?

Post by jayr // Oct 5, 2008, 1:38pm

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looks a bit dark to me too. Can't wait to see the Hi Res version, it's great at this size, lots of atmosphere. I like the castle design too.

The sky is really good as well, nice one wizard.

Post by Breech Block // Oct 5, 2008, 2:09pm

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Fantastic work Wizard and Mad Mouse's comments hit the nail on the head. Ditto also jayr's comments about a really Hi-Res version.


With regards to all the comments about the image being to dark, I'm afraid I have to agree. For your reference, my monitor is fairly new high spec model and is properly calibrated.

Post by W!ZARD // Oct 5, 2008, 7:34pm

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Thanks for the replies. Too dark? Shame, it looks great on my 1440x900 flatscreen's. I think the higher res also makes it easier to see into the lighted spaces of the scene.


I'm currently rendering a slow Vray animation on my tS pc so I haven't re-rendered the entire scene though I will later when my machine becomes free again. In the meantime, here's a version I've lightened up a bit in Irfanview. I'll post a link to a hi res version later in the week.


@ Noko - Re "does Vue Pro Studio save Spherical Panoramas?" erm, it does save 360 degree panoramas but I think the resulting projection is cylindrical rather than spherical - either way they work really well for sky domes and such.

Post by Maldrachen // Oct 5, 2008, 7:37pm

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love it, looks awesome on my lcd, just wondering about the lighting, is a light placed behind the moon to give the glow/halo effect?

Post by W!ZARD // Oct 5, 2008, 9:02pm

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The overall scene light is from a directional light that is lined up with the moon and an infinite light (set very low) as a fill light. There's an assortment of various spot lights and omni lights for the torch flames and 'magic glow' from the wizards staff.


The halo effect around the moon is comprised of several elements. Firstly, the Sky shader has a 'sun' spot which you can position to suit your needs. I've positioned it behind the moon, which is a simple sphere with a moon texture and a constant shader. The 'sun' spot and the moon sphere are also aligned with the moon image in the Vue panorama - which also is the source of the 'glow'. Using constant shaders along with the alpha-mapped images means the entire sky and landscape have a luminous moonlit quality.


I originally made this skydome arrangement for an animation which I've yet to complete - I thought it looked so good I decided to use it for this image as well.


Hope that answers your questions.

Post by splinters // Oct 5, 2008, 11:08pm

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That is much better Wizard, although it could do with a little more contrast. Seems like you just lightened it up and lost some of the darker areas.


Have you ever tried running through the dreamy photoshop filter. If you google it (and have pS) I believe it is now free. Gives images a dreamy look. Worth a look for free eh?


here is the link:


http://www.autofx.com/freeplugins/dreamyphoto.asp?id=7

Post by W!ZARD // Oct 6, 2008, 1:45am

W!ZARD
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That is much better Wizard, although it could do with a little more contrast. Seems like you just lightened it up and lost some of the darker areas.


Have you ever tried running through the dreamy photoshop filter. If you google it (and have pS) I believe it is now free. Gives images a dreamy look. Worth a look for free eh?


here is the link:


http://www.autofx.com/freeplugins/dreamyphoto.asp?id=7


LOL! Guilty as charged Splinters! I did just lighten it up - when my other (tS) PC is finished with it's current Vray animation run I'll re-render this scene with more lights.


Re the dreamy filter - my very limited budget won't stretch to PS so I use The GIMP. I know you're a big fan of this sort of post processing - I recall following your description of how to create this effect some years ago. No doubt the picture could benefit from some post work but I wanted to show it as it came directly out of tS.


I'll try to find time to give it a go later in the week. Thanks for the comments.

Post by splinters // Oct 6, 2008, 1:56am

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Equally guilty as charged...;)


Some years ago, before affordable GI (Vray??) my work was described as being a bit too clean and cold due to the CGi creation process. Well, that was for illustration anyway. So, I looked at NPR methods such as cell shaded and paint effects in PS but didn't like them. I found that this filter, with very little tweaking, could add a nice soft hue to my images and I kinda stuck with it ever since. Not a trademark or style as such but now I come to think of it...everything I render goes through it...:D


Don't some freeware paint packages load PS plug-ins now?


Also, I am pretty sure it comes in a standalone version i.e. does not need PS.


Plenty of different filters and options in there too....:)

Post by W!ZARD // Oct 6, 2008, 2:39am

W!ZARD
Total Posts: 2603
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Equally guilty as charged...;)

Some years ago, before affordable GI (Vray??) my work was described as being a bit too clean and cold due to the CGi creation process. Well, that was for illustration anyway. So, I looked at NPR methods such as cell shaded and paint effects in PS but didn't like them. I found that this filter, with very little tweaking, could add a nice soft hue to my images and I kinda stuck with it ever since. Not a trademark or style as such but now I come to think of it...everything I render goes through it...:D

Don't some freeware paint packages load PS plug-ins now?

Also, I am pretty sure it comes in a standalone version i.e. does not need PS.

Plenty of different filters and options in there too....:)

OK, OK I'll check it out.... but I won't be attending the prayer meetings!!;)

IIRC you described a method of applying a wide Gaussian blur to a copied layer and blending the layer with Screen or soft light or some such to give a nice soft glowy effect. I've used the technique a few times before but not recently.

EDIT - I DLed it and I'll install it tomorrow - I'm off to bed now though. Thanks for the heads up Splinters - looks like a useful tool.

Post by splinters // Oct 6, 2008, 2:46am

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You are probably right but no need with that filter...does all the hard work for you...but I am not preaching. Well, unless you count the 'church of easy magic renders'...:D

Post by Finis // Oct 6, 2008, 7:20am

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I liked the darker picture better. The bright one looks washed out or low contrast but ... it is good to see modeling and texturing that was hidden in the darker one.

Post by Steinie // Oct 6, 2008, 8:38am

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The first one lost detail in the lower left, almost black. The current one is too light overall. If you could increase the res and lower the gama between the last two renderings it would be perfect...(for me).
I like the torn wings nice detail.

Post by Breech Block // Oct 6, 2008, 9:19am

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Wow, what a terrific castle Wizard (Now that I can see it :D).


Obviously, your namesake's not being too adversely effected by the credit crunch. Now if your man can just figure out how to connect that fire-breathing dragon to the central heating he'll be well made. :D

Post by headwax // Oct 6, 2008, 12:49pm

headwax
Total Posts: 38
Hello wizard


The first one works for me. I like the darkness - it is a nocturne after all.


The ragged patched in the dragon wings are an elegant touch. The overall ambience gets a ten.


A suggestion re monitor calibrations. In the old days with darkroom work (black and white) occasionally we would do a test strip re exposure which would gradate from black to white in five to ten steps. You can do this with monitors perhaps - idea would be to post such a strip with your pic, the viwere adjusts their monitor till they see all the steps in the greyscale - and that means they will see the right tones of your pic. Might work (might not also ;) )

Post by robert // Oct 6, 2008, 12:54pm

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Total Posts: 609
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Calibration would make a difference, check this (http://forums1.caligari.com/truespace/showpost.php?p=64016&postcount=157) out.

Post by W!ZARD // Oct 7, 2008, 1:42am

W!ZARD
Total Posts: 2603
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Thank you all for the input.


Here is a version which I've dabbled with using the GIMP - Hopefully it's a bit brighter for those with darker monitors, without being too washed out.


I've also added a soft blurry layer to well, soften and blur it a little!:D


The second two images are cropped from the original (after Postwork) at the original render resolution (2400x1500).


Hope you like the added touches.:D


Splinters I grabbed that Dreamy App you suggested - Looks great but has a limited size so I've not used it here. Handy tool though I'll keep it around thanks.


~W~

Post by splinters // Oct 7, 2008, 2:19am

splinters
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Great work Wizard, it has an ethereal quality now and is very atmospheric. Maybe a touch less soft blur though...;)


My only criticism would be the brick work on the close up of the castle; it looks very flat, new and clean. Do you have Dribble yet? You could try a little displacement then superimpose over the LW layer?


Love that dragon shot...:banana:

Post by W!ZARD // Oct 7, 2008, 2:39am

W!ZARD
Total Posts: 2603
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Great work Wizard, it has an ethereal quality now and is very atmospheric. Maybe a touch less soft blur though...;)


My only criticism would be the brick work on the close up of the castle; it looks very flat, new and clean. Do you have Dribble yet? You could try a little displacement then superimpose over the LW layer?


Love that dragon shot...:banana:


Chuckle! It's a brand new castle!


Actually this scene is my first foray into texture instancing and the castle is still very much a WIP - the current textures are place-holders only. There's no fooling your eagle eye!:D


Thanks for the nana ;)

Post by transient // Oct 7, 2008, 3:37am

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That's a really nice effect, a lot more balanced and lush. This would look great in print, well done.:)

Post by Mr. 3d // Oct 18, 2008, 10:38pm

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AMAZING !!!
You Truly Are A W!ZARD !!!

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