October, 2020 - Daz 3D New User Challenge - Atmosphere, Ghosts and Special Effects

Kismet2012Kismet2012 Posts: 4,252

New User's Challenge – October, 2020

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.

New this year, 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, 2020

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

They apply for both versions of the challenge.

 

Post edited by Kismet2012 on
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Comments

  • Kismet2012Kismet2012 Posts: 4,252
    edited October 2020

    Ghosts, godrays and goblins...oh my.

     

    Beginner - "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

    https://www.moonscapegraphics.com/post/2016/02/11/adding-an-atmosphere-in-iray - includes a sample scene you can download via Dropbox

     

    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:
    Atmosphere Test Scenes for Carrara http://www.sharecg.com/v/33708/related/5/3D-Model/Atmosphere-Test-Scenes-for-Carrara

    https://carraracafe.com/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/

     

    An article in DS Creative Magazine (Page 40-41)

     

    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

    Post edited by Kismet2012 on
  • Kismet2012Kismet2012 Posts: 4,252
    edited October 2020

    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

     

    DAZ Studio - 3Delight

    Above the Fog for Iray and 3Delight

    Simple Godrays

    Expanded Godrays - Celestial Bodies

    Heavy Rain for 3Delight and Iray

     

    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:

     

    The Golden rules of rendering can be found:

    Bryce  http://www.daz3d.com/golden-rules-composition-helpers-for-bryce
    DAZ Studio http://www.sharecg.com/v/67783/browse/21/DAZ-Studio/Golden-Rules-Camera-Prop-v1.5 

    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

     

     

    Post edited by Kismet2012 on
  • Kismet2012Kismet2012 Posts: 4,252
    edited October 2020

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

    Heart Of Winter

    Heart Of Winter

     

    In The Misty Moonlight

    In The Misty Moonlight

     

    The Night Watch

    The Night Watch

     

    Dubious Shelter

    Dubious Shelter

     

    Nocturnal

    Nocturnal

    Post edited by Kismet2012 on
  • Kismet2012Kismet2012 Posts: 4,252

    Here are some examples of atmosphere using lighting.

    Strange Discovery

    Strange Discovery

     

    Yuzuru Full

    Yuzuru Full

     

    Yuzuru

    Yuzuru

     

    This was my home once

    This Was My Home Once

  • Kismet2012Kismet2012 Posts: 4,252
    edited October 2020

    Intermediate Challenge - Ghosts and Special Effects

     

    Working with Magical Elements and Forces

     

    In this challenge you can use lighting, effects, atmospherics and special 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

     

    Muelsfell Storm of Magic Iray FX

     

    Jepe's Effects - various products

     

    Special FX for Daz Studio

     

    Soldiers of Magic: Serpio

     

    Ultraviolet Shaders, Lights, and Props

     

    Iray Ghost Shaders

     

    Vengeful Spirit for Genesis and Genesis 2 Female(s)

     

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

    One Enchanted Evening

     

    Post edited by Kismet2012 on
  • Shinji Ikari 9thShinji Ikari 9th Posts: 1,161
    edited October 2020

    Here we go taking a try at the basic challenge. I went digging through my older stuff for this one, I don't even know if some of it is still avalable.

    Edit - I just checked on the two items that I wasn't sure if they were still offered, and it turns out that they are still around.

    oct2020a.png
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    Post edited by Shinji Ikari 9th on
  • Kismet2012Kismet2012 Posts: 4,252

    Here we go taking a try at the basic challenge. I went digging through my older stuff for this one, I don't even know if some of it is still avalable.

    Edit - I just checked on the two items that I wasn't sure if they were still offered, and it turns out that they are still around.

    Nice start @Shinji.  You have a very "war torn" and/or "natural disaster" style image going.

  • @Kismet2012, I was thinking more on the "war torn" side myself. Version B here besides tweeking the power armor's positioning and the left foot of said power armor, also adds a character opening fire on the power armor, and a pair of missles looking to take out the sholder weapons of the power armor.

    oct2020b.png
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  • aprilshowers2065aprilshowers2065 Posts: 699
    edited October 2020

    Title: Threshold

    Beginner Challenge

    This is what I have so far; feedback would be appreciated!

    Threshold.png
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    Post edited by aprilshowers2065 on
  • sueyasueya Posts: 825
    edited September 2021

    This is my first attempt at using Godrays - I am using 3Delight

    I used UberVolume and Dust. The only lights in this scene are an Advanced Spotlight and an IBL Light outside the window with a HDRI scene.

    I also used a fog plane but it does not show up

    I would like to know why the dog's toe nails are glowing

     

    Post edited by sueya on
  • Kismet2012Kismet2012 Posts: 4,252

    @Kismet2012, I was thinking more on the "war torn" side myself. Version B here besides tweeking the power armor's positioning and the left foot of said power armor, also adds a character opening fire on the power armor, and a pair of missles looking to take out the sholder weapons of the power armor.

    Definitely war torn...yep. 

    I know you will be adding more to this image.  Looking forward to the next iteration.

  • Kismet2012Kismet2012 Posts: 4,252

    Title: Threshold

    Beginner Challenge

    This is what I have so far; feedback would be appreciated!

    You certainly have a spooky start. 

    Is the lantern the only source of light?  If it is you might want to lower the intensity just a little to increase the shadows a little bit.  Not much.  I really like the way the light is framing your character's face.  I wouldn't want to see you lose that but slightly deeper shadow in the adjoining room will add to the sense of mystery.

    This is a great start. 

  • Kismet2012Kismet2012 Posts: 4,252
    sueya said:

    This is my first attempt at using Godrays - I am using 3Delight

    I used UberVolume and Dust. The only lights in this scene are an Advanced Spotlight and an IBL Light outside the window with a HDRI scene.

    I also used a fog plane but it does not show up

    I would like to know why the dog's toe nails are glowing

     

    Which dog is this?  Is it DAZ Dog 8 or Millennium Dog?  If DAZ Dog 8 did you convert the iray materials to 3Delight?

    This is a great start. 

  • Kismet2012Kismet2012 Posts: 4,252

    For anyone interested in the Intermediate Level of this challenge I just added an image by Community Volunteer L'Adair with some ghostly figures.

  • L'AdairL'Adair Posts: 9,479

    For anyone interested in the Intermediate Level of this challenge I just added an image by Community Volunteer L'Adair with some ghostly figures.

    And if you are interested, make sure you look at the image full-screen, preferably in a dark room for the full effect. It's slightly reminiscent of the ghosts in the Haunted Mansion ride in the Disney parks…

  • StargazeyStargazey Posts: 238
    edited October 2020

    For the Intermediate challange. "In the Moonlight with Fog". 

    (I'm not sure what's going on here, but I may write a short story to explain it sometime!)

    Rendered in 3Delight. With AoA lights. Fog and lightning special FX, with VYK Banshee in the Ghost Bride outfit. Postwork in Affinity Photo.

    In the Moonlight with Fog (1).jpg
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    Post edited by Stargazey on
  • aprilshowers2065aprilshowers2065 Posts: 699
    edited October 2020

    Title: Threshold

    Beginner Challenge

    This is what I have so far; feedback would be appreciated!

    You certainly have a spooky start. 

    Is the lantern the only source of light?  If it is you might want to lower the intensity just a little to increase the shadows a little bit.  Not much.  I really like the way the light is framing your character's face.  I wouldn't want to see you lose that but slightly deeper shadow in the adjoining room will add to the sense of mystery.

    This is a great start. 

    Thanks! Second try with the lantern intensity dropped a bit.

    Threshold.png
    1600 x 1600 - 4M
    Post edited by aprilshowers2065 on
  • Kismet2012Kismet2012 Posts: 4,252
    Stargazey said:

    For the Intermediate challange. "In the Moonlight with Fog". 

    (I'm not sure what's going on here, but I may write a short story to explain it sometime!)

    Rendered in 3Delight. With AoA lights. Fog and lightning special FX, with VYK Banshee in the Ghost Bride outfit. Postwork in Affinity Photo.

    I can see a story in this image.  I am glad to see 3Delight images. 

  • Kismet2012Kismet2012 Posts: 4,252

    Title: Threshold

    Beginner Challenge

    This is what I have so far; feedback would be appreciated!

    You certainly have a spooky start. 

    Is the lantern the only source of light?  If it is you might want to lower the intensity just a little to increase the shadows a little bit.  Not much.  I really like the way the light is framing your character's face.  I wouldn't want to see you lose that but slightly deeper shadow in the adjoining room will add to the sense of mystery.

    This is a great start. 

    Thanks! Second try with the lantern intensity dropped a bit.

    It is a fine line between too bright and too dark.  You still have enough light to illuminate his face but have dimmed it enough to add some deeper shadows.  It makes me wonder what, if anything, he sees in that room.

  • TirickTirick Posts: 225
    edited October 2020

    Stretched on Your Grave

    Beginner Challenge

    Daz Studio 4.12

    I had initially set out to make the one figure ghostly, but I struggled to get it to look as I wanted in my mind's eye. It worked well as is I think. The godrays were tricky to line up well and are a bit more subtle than I had planned. I still plan to tackle the intermediate challenge, but I want to rethink and plan a different scene. 

     

    Tirick

    StretchedOnYourGrave.png
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    Post edited by Tirick on
  • skinklizzardskinklizzard Posts: 218
    edited October 2020

    My poor GTX 970 hates my guts, I modified the strand based dual lobe hair shader to make it emissive and added it to a dForce hair, so now the scenes memory usage for lights is almost as much as geometry and textures.

     

    Intermediate entry:

    I think I'll call it 'Power Overwhelming'

    There are still some other things I want to try as well as make a better cutout texture for the flames on her hands.

    Any suggestions welcome.

    powerOverwhelming.png
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    Post edited by skinklizzard on
  • Kismet2012Kismet2012 Posts: 4,252
    Tirick said:

    Stretched on Your Grave

    Beginner Challenge

    Daz Studio 4.12

    I had initially set out to make the one figure ghostly, but I struggled to get it to look as I wanted in my mind's eye. It worked well as is I think. The godrays were tricky to line up well and are a bit more subtle than I had planned. I still plan to tackle the intermediate challenge, but I want to rethink and plan a different scene. 

     

    Tirick

    I think the sublte godrays work.  They do not always have to be strong to be effective.

    I hate it when an image doesn't quite work out the way we hope.  What you have created is very effective.

    I am looking forward to your intermediate image.

  • Kismet2012Kismet2012 Posts: 4,252

    My poor GTX 970 hates my guts, I modified the strand based dual lobe hair shader to make it emissive and added it to a dForce hair, so now the scenes memory usage for lights is almost as much as geometry and textures.

     

    Intermediate entry:

    I think I'll call it 'Power Overwhelming'

    There are still some other things I want to try as well as make a better cutout texture for the flames on her hands.

    Any suggestions welcome.

    The emmissive effect on the hair is quite effective.  What are the points of light around the head and shoulders? 

    It appears you have a heavy fog/smoke element in the image.  It is doing what it is supposed to do by diffusing the light but I am finding it hard to see details.  If that is your intention then it works.  But perhaps reducing the fog/smoke slightly might help with your rendering and allow more of your figure to be visible.

    Great start.

  • Version C here, adding in the craft that had sent the rockets coming around for another pass.

     

    While it looks like the pilot is making like "Mavric" from Top Gun, that is not the case, they just look closer then they are.

    oct2020c.png
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  • skinklizzardskinklizzard Posts: 218
    edited October 2020

    The emmissive effect on the hair is quite effective.  What are the points of light around the head and shoulders? 

    It appears you have a heavy fog/smoke element in the image.  It is doing what it is supposed to do by diffusing the light but I am finding it hard to see details.  If that is your intention then it works.  But perhaps reducing the fog/smoke slightly might help with your rendering and allow more of your figure to be visible.

    Great start.

    I wanted the power to be bursting out of her eyes, mouth and chest sort of like a super charged scream on the cusp of unleashing it. The points of light were the holes to let the light beam out from the chest area which admittedly didn't work very well and even less once I put an outfit on her. The heavy dust/smoke was also originally to try get noticeable beams of light which also wasn't quite working as intended.

    I made some adjustments, tweaked her pose a bit, changed the chest light (still not satisfied with it though), reduced the fog but still managed to get light beams and changed up the hair somewhat.
    I still need to make some better flames but for now here is version 2

    PowerOverwhelming2.png
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    Post edited by skinklizzard on
  • TirickTirick Posts: 225

    I wanted the power to be bursting out of her eyes, mouth and chest sort of like a super charged scream on the cusp of unleashing it. The points of light were the holes to let the light beam out from the chest area which admittedly didn't work very well and even less once I put an outfit on her. The heavy dust/smoke was also originally to try get noticeable beams of light which also wasn't quite working as intended.

    I made some adjustments, tweaked her pose a bit, changed the chest light (still not satisfied with it though), reduced the fog but still managed to get light beams and changed up the hair somewhat.
    I still need to make some better flames but for now here is version 2

    The change you made here makes the entire image just pop, It looks fantastic!

  • PhatmartinoPhatmartino Posts: 287
    edited October 2020

    Intermediate Challenge

    Title: The Loathesome Cellar

    Software: Daz Studio

    Here's the first iteration of my attempt at the intermediate challenge. On top of trying to learn the ins and outs of composition, I really struggle with lighting a lot of the time. When I try to create a "dark" scene, I'm finding I need to set the Iray iterations to 50k, so it takes a long time to render, and then when I bring the render into Photoshop to try and clumsily do some minor postwork, that's when I first see exactly how dark, flat, etc the render actually is...

    I'm terrible at doing said post work and really struggle with deciding what I need to go back into the DS scene and change in order to re-render and have different options in Ps. Any advice along those lines would be amazing.

    Also, please nitpick away as far as composition, posing, placement, vantage point, rule of thirds, etc. I've been trying to keep those things in mind and work on them, but feel like I'm just not that guy who can say "this thing draws my eye", "this isn't balanced", etc.

    I'll include the straight render from DS and my ill-advised attempt at post work in case it helps point out that one or the other (or both) is where I should be focusing my efforts, at least as far as lighting.

    Basement 08.png
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    Basement 08a.png
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    Post edited by Phatmartino on
  • TirickTirick Posts: 225

    Intermediate Challenge

    Title: The Loathesome Cellar

    Software" Daz Studio

    Here's the first iteration of my attempt at the intermediate challenge. On top of trying to learn the ins and outs of composition, I really struggle with lighting a lot of the time. When I try to create a "dark" scene, I'm finding I need to set the Iray iterations to 50k, so it takes a long time to render, and then when I bring the render into Photoshop to try and clumsily do some minor postwork, that's when I first see exactly how dark, flat, etc the render actually is...

    I'm terrible at doing said post work and really struggle with deciding what I need to go back into the DS scene and change in order to re-render and have different options in Ps. Any advice along those lines would be amazing.

    Also, please nitpick away as far as composition, posing, placement, vantage point, rule of thirds, etc. I've been trying to keep those things in mind and work on them, but feel like I'm just not that guy who can say "this thing draws my eye", "this isn't balanced", etc.

    I'll include the straight render from DS and my ill-advised attempt at post work in case it helps point out that one or the other (or both) is where I should be focusing my efforts, at least as far as lighting.

     

    Look at tone mapping in the render settings. For a dark room set the Exposure to 11 or 12 or so and try it. EV of 13 is really for a bright room or daylight. Playing with this value can help get the lighting from good to perfect. I am no expert on this, but I read a ton of advice and tutorials and this really helped me with my darker renders. For my submission Stretched on Your Grave, I used 10 but there is really only one strong light. and a very dark enclosed room. I've read that you can play with the shutter speed and f/Stop values to tweak it but I am not familiar at all with real camera settings so have avoided it for now. EV as far as I know sets both. 

    Sickle Yield's Deviant Art tutorials are invaluable. This one here covers what you are looking for I think. https://www.deviantart.com/sickleyield/journal/Tutorial-Lighting-and-Tone-Mapping-In-Iray-531864617

     

  • @Tirick Wow, that one short tutorial makes it so simple to understand those settings which I know I've taken stabs in the dark at in the past, but didn't really understand... Awesome, thank you!!

  • L'AdairL'Adair Posts: 9,479

    @Tirick Wow, that one short tutorial makes it so simple to understand those settings which I know I've taken stabs in the dark at in the past, but didn't really understand... Awesome, thank you!!

    Iray likes lighter scenes, so when you can use Tone Mapping to make it darker, it will improve the render speed. There is another technique that may help you get the effect you're looking for: Ghost Lights. The way a ghost light works is the light is visible but the mesh is not. Kindred Arts posted a great thread on how to do it, and then later released several products that are really handy. Here's the link to KA's ghost light tutorial. One of the great things about ghost lights is they aren't "specular" and won't create highlights on other things like a spotlight will. This makes them really useful as fill lights for dark scenes.

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