October, 2026 - Daz 3D New User Challenge - Atmosphere, Ghosts and Special Effects

Leana

New User's Challenge – October, 2026

Are you new to the 3D World? Are you at the beginning stages of learning 3D rendering? Have you been around for a little bit but feel you could benefit from some feedback or instruction? Have you been around awhile and would like to help other members start their creative journey? Well then come and join the fun as we host our newest challenge.

We are breaking down each month into 2 different challenges. A Beginner Challenge and then also an Intermediate Challenge.

So which "Challenge" should you choose?

Follow the Beginner Challenge if you are:

• New to the New User Challenges
• New to Daz Studio
• Newer to 3D Rendering in General

 

Follow the Intermediate Challenge if you have:

• Participated in the New User Challenge for awhile
• Know the basics of Daz Studio and would like to learn more in depth topics
• Been using 3D Rendering Applications for awhile and feel comfortable with learning Intermediate Topics

 

*Please be sure to list in your post which Challenge level you are participating in*

 

Closing date for both is October 31, 2026

For a list of the current challenge rules, please see this thread: Challenge Rules

They apply for both versions of the challenge.

Leana

Beginner challenge - "Atmosphere"

• Evoking a particular emotional or aesthetic quality
• Atmospheric perspective, also known as aerial perspective, refers to the effect the atmosphere has on the appearance of an object as it is viewed from a distance
• In addition to creating a sense of depth, atmospheric perspective can be used to express environmental conditions and time of day in a work of art

 

Creating atmosphere in art is more than simply using some godrays, fog or dust in an image.  It is creating a feeling; a sense of place or time.  It needs to enhance and bring attention to the subject matter.

 

Tutorials

 

for DAZ Studio Iray:

http://sickleyield.deviantart.com/journal/Tutorial-Creating-Dust-And-Atmosphere-in-Iray-522291773

http://rawart3d.deviantart.com/art/Raw-FogCam-535959358 free product

https://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/334586/tutorial-adding-atmosphere-with-a-depth-canvas - this tutorial explains how to use a Depth Canvas

 

DAZ Studio 3Delight:

http://www.omnifreaker.com/index.php?title=UberVolume

Linwelly's Simple Atmosphere Tutorial for 3Delight ( may also work in Iray ):  https://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/comment/1654176/#Comment_1654176

 

for Carrara:
https://carraracafe.com/tutorials/atmosphere-tutorial/

 

for Bryce:
Artist’s guide Sky Lab page 759
Bryce: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahiyabdeUBI DOF in Bryce by David Brinnen

Bryce 7.1 Pro Easy - Spooky trees in Dan's fog https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-lDcqH78Is

Bryce Basics - Free content cloud over Big Sur https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs9490Co-XE

 

Atmospheric Basics:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyLOZWevi8g A Blender tutorial but the first 46 seconds really give you an idea of what atmosphere can be like.

 

What are some other elements for creating atmosphere:
https://prezi.com/dmvb-nlsj_wr/creating-mood-in-art/
http://www.zevendesign.com/mood-lines-giving-designs-attitude/

 

Don't forget to look at previous themed contests where information and hints are available.

October 2015's contest

October 2016's contest

October 2017's contest

October 2018’s contest

October 2019’s challenge

October, 2020's challenge

October, 2021's challenge

October, 2022's challenge

October, 2023's challenge

October, 2024's challenge

October, 2025's challenge

 

Leana

There are many products in the DAZ store which can be of help.  You are not required to purchase any of these products to create your images.  They are simply being listed for your convenience and/or inspiration.  The promo images are also excellent examples of atmosphere using props and/or lights.  Below is just a small sample. 

 

DAZ Studio - Iray

Iray Distance Mist

Iray Distance Fog

Atmocam2

Iray Storm

Plane Easy Atmospheres

Fast Fog Iray 2:  Electric Fogaloo -

IG Iray Dawn to Dusk 2 Atmospheric Lighting

FSL Rigged and Morphing Atmosphere Props and Shaders

Fog Camera

Time Inside Light Gels Bundle

Cinematic Light FX plus Atmosphere

Epic Props: Godrays & Volumetric Light for Iray

Atmospheric Smoke Camera

Iray Dust

SY dForce Rain Iray

SY Fast and Easy Fog Iray

SY Fast Fog and Atmosphere Iray

MartinJFrost's "Atomsphere" 1, 2 & 3, 4 and 5

 

DAZ Studio - 3Delight

Above the Fog for Iray and 3Delight

Simple Godrays

Expanded Godrays - Celestial Bodies

Heavy Rain for 3Delight and Iray

 

Daz Studio - Filament

Atmosphere for Filament

SY Atmospheric Blur Filament

 

Poser

Widow’s Woods:  Forest

RDNA Atmospherics – Fog Vol 1

Spooky Light Gels for Poser

 

Bryce

Bryce ATMO

 

Some other items that may be of help in this Challenge:

 

Composition helpers:

Bryce: http://www.daz3d.com/golden-rules-composition-helpers-for-bryce
DAZ Studio: https://www.daz3d.com/canary-s-composition-helpers

Also, DS has a built in thirds golden rule. 

Here are various links to other things that may help you in this month's challenge. Credit is given to Szark for this wonderful thread.
Tutorials by Szark https://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/2765/time-for-sharing-what-i-have-no-idea/p1

Leana

Here are some examples of images using "Atmosphere" provided by CV L'Adair.

Heart Of Winter

In The Misty Moonlight

Dubious Shelter

Nocturnal

Here are some examples of atmosphere using lighting.

Strange Discovery

Yuzuru Full

Yuzuru

This was my home once

Leana

Intermediate Challenge - Ghosts and Special Effects

 

Working with Magical Elements and Forces

In this challenge you can use lighting, effects, atmospherics, special effects and volumetric effects to bring your artwork to the next level whether it is adding magic to your favourite witchy scene or turning your favourite beloved characters into a ghost set to haunt people’s dreams

 

You Tube Tutorials

Daz 3D Shader Tutorial : Introducing Volumetrics in 4.20

Creating Atmospheric Ground Fog with Daz Studio 4.20 Volumetric Effects

Creating Volumetric Fires and Explosions in Daz Studio 4.20

Erste Schritte mit VDB Volumetrics in Daz Studio 4.20

Getting Started with Volumetrics in Daz Studio 4.20

 

Written Tutorial

Daz Tutorial new Volumetric Feature in DS4.20

 

Various Products that may be of help:

Muelsfell Storm of Magic Iray FX

Jepe's Effects - various products

Special FX for Daz Studio, 2 and 3

Soldiers of Magic: Serpio

FPE Magic Powers Props

FPE Magic Effects for Genesis 9

Ultraviolet Shaders, Lights, and Props

Iray Ghost Shaders

Vengeful Spirit for Genesis and Genesis 2 Female(s)

dForce Sheet Ghost for Genesis 8 Female and for Genesis 9

Iray Spectre for Genesis 8 Female and Male

SY Real Fog Iray VDB and SY Real Fog VDB 2

Oso VDB Magus Effects Volume 1 and Oso VDB Magus Effects Volume 2

Arcane VFX

PTF More Magic!

Ethereal VDB FX

Superhero Body FX and Eyes and Face FX for Genesis 8 Females

pwGhost (3DL only)

 

Special thanks to L'Adair for creating an example image containing ghosts.

Brian&Alicia

Guess i'll open with a non-entry Halloween theme. also working on designing a new signiture, over my scibble sig. i think i like this one. simple, yet a little edgy