Cloudscape Creator Bundle
MelissaGT
Posts: 2,611
So I was thinking of picking up this bundle as it is in today's Fast Grab...but the big thing I'd love love love love to know...is how did DimensionTheory make Stonemason's Winter Terrains work with Iray? I kinda oopsied and bought it a while back not realizing that it wasn't really possible to translate to Iray...at least with my limited knowledge (I've successfully transfered other things to Iray...quite well in fact, but this one eludes me). It's such a gorgeous product, and I'd love to be able to use it...with the Cloudscape stuff that I'm buying today!
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Hello!
Don't know what DT did to us ethem , but have used them the same way I use the terrains I make myself with Gaea. Basically I just us ethe geometry and texture them with the help of the Muelsfell Multilayer shader (https://www.daz3d.com/muelsfell-multilayer-iray-terrain-shader )
I use the terrain masks that are included with the Winter Terrains to drive the material distribution. Here is a quick 30 second example. Nothing fancy, just a grey colur for the rock and white for snow. But it hopefully gives you an idea.
Ciao
TD
..bugger I hate it when I thought I got a good deal, and then the item (Cloudscape Bundle) shows up in Fastgrab a few days later for even less. Crikey, could have saved 16$ total as I wouldn't have needed to buy a "new item" to trigger the discount.
That shader always looked so intimidating to me...I'll have to take a look once it goes on sale.
@melissastjames
At a minimum the 3DL shaders should convert to use the DAZ Uber Iray shader, or you can do that manually. You can also replace them with similar shaders from the inummerable rock / snow /whatever shaders available in the shop.
If you do this and get something you like, don't forget to "save as" to keep the updated duf/scene.
This set is a bit different in that it requires multi-layers...so it doesn't convert as easily. I've converted quite a few 3DL sets in the past and believe me, I already tried it that way. And I've also tried using rock shaders that I already have (I have a lot)...the object is just too big and then you run into all sorts of issues with tiling. The suggestion posed by @thd777 is the best so far...but I'd really love to know how DT did it because it looks like they're using textures actually made for that terrain...based on the normal/bump you can see in the snow.
Pretty sure that DT is using Iray rock and snow textures that are tiled in combo with the original distribution maps. The original set has all tiled textures other than the distribution maps. The Muelsfell layer shader accepts diffuse, roughness, glossy/height and normal maps. Sop you can convert most iray shaders to work with it.
TD
Edit to add: Looking at the image again, DA might also have used his own Let it Snow shader that can be applied to a geoshell.
Here is a quick example using DA's Let it Snow Iray Snowshell and a simple JG rock shader. Works nicely. The snow shader is really cool. No need for maps, it uses the geometry to distribute the snow and you can adjust to taste.
Ciao
TD
There's always the refund policy...
I don't know how DT did it (I hope it's something we may be able to see in DT store in future *fingers crossed and wishful thinking*) but I managed to use the Terradome shader (one included in Terradome Iray packs) for similar effects as it comes with several layers of terrain options and most of them are either large scale or tileable.
...yeah thought about it, but I also got second item as well at the discount so I don't know how that will work I'd probably have to refund the entire order, but then I'd have to give up the second item I purchased at a discount which I'd have to purchase again at full price.
Are there instructions for Cloudscape? I find some HDRIs, materials, and individual cloud props, but no sets. The description says it comes with 10 different full sky sets, but I can't find them. And what is a "guided" clouds vs an "unguided" cloud?
I'm trying to create an overcast sky of clouds and then have some moving lights above them.
I believe it's all under "Environments>DimensionTheory" if I remember correctly, cloud sets included if you have the whole bundle.
As for guided/unguided, it explains it in the description:
Thanks for the guided/unguided explanation. Still can't find any full sky cloud sets, just individual clouds. And Ibought the bundle when it was on sale recently.
Hm, that's strange, maybe try reinstalling all products from the bundle again? On my end they're all definitely there. Under Environments>DimensionTheory>Cloudscape Creator there's four folders: Backgrounds (that's where skies/HDRIs are), Cloudscapes (this one has the clouds presets which are what you're looking for), Hero Clouds (individual, guided/unguided clouds) and Materials folder for all teh clouds.
Hope that helps, cheers
V.
Ah hah...problem solves. While IM installed most of the files...the Sky Cover files didn't download. I assume not having the files may be why I can't open them.
FWIW,
The video in the description is handy in that it shows why you'd want the 'guide', as the set is based on a clever set of parallel image/billboard layers that become invisible to the viewer from the side, but look as intended from the front. It's a quick video and probably worth watching, just to see exactly what it is you've purchased. I learned from it and can now use it better, having that understanding.
I believe the guided clouds have contraints added to the scene elements that would prevent us from unintentionally looking from the side and losing the intended view/scene.
--ms