October, 2022 - Daz 3D New User Challenge - Atmosphere, Ghosts and Special Effects
Kismet2012
Posts: 4,252
New User's Challenge – October, 2022
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, 2022
For a list of the current challenge rules, please see this thread: Challenge Rules
They apply for both versions of the challenge.
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Comments
Ghosts, godrays and goblins...oh my.
Beginner - "Atmosphere"
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
October, 2020's challenge
October, 2021's challenge
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
Here are some examples of images using "Atmosphere" provided by CV L'Adair.
Heart Of Winter
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In The Misty Moonlight
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The Night Watch
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Dubious Shelter
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Nocturnal
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Here are some examples of atmosphere using lighting.
Strange Discovery
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Yuzuru Full
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Yuzuru
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This was my home once
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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
This year we have a new option with Volumetric Effects available within Daz Studio 4.20.
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
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.
This image has been resized to fit in the page. Click to enlarge.
Guess I'll start this off
Flameheart
Intermediate Entry
Feedback welcome
You have done a great job with the lighting and posing.
Is the prop between her hadns a flame or heart? Do you want it to be more abstract and undefined?
If you want it to be a bit more recognizable then maybe reduce the luminosity a bit?
Great image. Thank you for starting us off.
Hello,
Beginner Entry: Atmosphere
Title: Soul
I added the sphere in photoshop because nothing I had in my inventory really gave the same effect. Comments and critique always welcome :- )
Thank @Kismet. The object between her hands is a flame; I tried reducing the luminosity by 80% so hopefully it's a bit clearer
I love the concept behind this image and it has been beautifully executed.
Getting a mirror placed exactly where you need it to be to see the reflection is an exercise in patience. At least it has been for me. You captured her expression and framed it in the mirror making it the focul point of your image.
This is a really compelling image.
My only quibble, and it is a small one, is that the sphere is competing a bit with the figures. The addition of the sphere is very clever. Your eye's travel along the curves so in that way it is creating movement within the image but the lines are a little too opaque for me and are competing just a bit with your figures.
Her arm reaching out and the falling rose petals do a great job of bringing yoru eyes to the mirror and the focal point of the image.
Really nicely done. Thank you for shareing
Yes. I can see the flame better now. You also lost some of the illumination on her arms but that just makes her glowing eyes and hair stand out even more. The flame was competing with them a bit in the first image.
The reflections on her lips from her lipstick are also more pronounced now, which is also drawing my eyes to her face.
I also love the monochromatic colour scheme you used. It is very effective.
Hello @isis4444merlin - This entry is really eye-catching- beautiful colors. The postwork is well-done. Only a quick question- the face in the mirror seems very "literal" to me whereas the rest of the image feels allegorical - it's a seems a key focus point in the image - seems like a good candidate for a post effect, or a storytelling moment. Again, it's a question - image is lovely as is.
@kismet2012 and @bohemian3 - Thank you so very much for the feedback. The funny thing for me is that your two suggestions - the opaqueness of the sphere and the epression on the girls face were both still questions in my mind. I will come back with a revision after I have played with it a bit.
I wanted to try some FX since I think they can be hard to be made properly. Rendered in Daz Studio Iray.
First entry in the "Intermediate Challenge - Ghosts and Special Effects"
Defense against the dark arts
It can be really encouraging to get feedback on aspects of an image you wondered about yourself. I am looking forward to seeing your next version.
NAE (Not An Entry)
Good day everyone,
I cannot submit this as an entry since I made it a few months ago, but it fits the theme and I thought I would add it in for viewing ... as well as the Victorian Ghost video link.
I do not remember if I used the Iray Ghost, Iray Spectre, or the VYK Banshee shaders ... but I am leaning toward the banshee shaders (at least primarily).
I have to admit it. This is not what I was expecting with the title "Defense Against the Dark Arts". But then that is waht art is all about. Our own interpretations and making people think.
Normally is taboo to have the figures int he centre of the image. At least according to the Rule of Thirds. But then rules were meant to be broken and this is an excellent example of the exception to the rule.
Your use of DOF keeps a busy background from being too distracting while still providing interest and context to the battle in front of us.
Great image.
Thank you for sharing.
If you could please make this NAE ( not an entry ).
It is always wonderful to see the culmination of someone's hard work.
@Kismet2012 Thank you for the input. I am glad you enjoyed the image.
The title was...purposedly ambiguous but, when choosing the title, I was thinking about the quote:
“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”
― Arthur C. Clarke
Beginner Entry
Title: Red Dawn
Done in Daz Studio, but then I used Paint Shop Pro's "1 click Photo Fix" to see what it would do with my render. It darkened up the mouse a bit, which I liked, given the red blade.
I really like the concept behind this image.
You are cutting off the mouse and the blade. Was this intentional? You might want to consider moving the camera down a bit or back to get the entire mouse and blade in the image.
The DOF works very well and I love the overall monochromatic colour scheme. It really allows the red blade to pop.
I would say you accomplised that. The fox is definitely what I look at first.
You mgiht be able to get the entire sword in the image if you put a little bit of bend in either the elbo, the wrist or possibly both. It isn't out by much so hopefully just a bit of a minor tweak will get it there.
Entry title, "Conjuror of Secrets"
The celestial air summons the shrouded cypher of time...
The "RexRed" signature text was the only post work.
RexRed artwork made for October intermediate contest entry.
Beginner Entry: Atmosphere
Title: Soul
I made the sphere more transparent and which I think works well. I also played quite a bit with different expressions on the girl looking in the mirror (like anger, rage and sadness), trying to create more of an obvious story moment. In the end I liked the expression I started with which I think portrays a kind of concern/worry/looking inside? I felt that once I made the sphere more transparent it was easier to focus on the face of the girl. It may also be that I just didn't hit quite the right expression while experimenting.
Entry title, "Conjuror of Secrets"
The celestial air summons the shrouded cypher of time...
The "RexRed" signature text was the only post work.
RexRed artwork made for October intermediate contest entry (version 2).
I missed the key when I first looked at this image. I was immediately captivated by the scene between the conjuror and the cypher.
Using a mostly monochromatic colour scheme everywhere except for the conjuror really draws your eye to him and makes him stand out.
My only quibble would be the moon. The more I look at the image the it tends to draw my eye away from the figures and the key. But the hightlights you are getting on the ruins and rock formations would be lost if it was moved, I think.
Overall this is a wonderful image.
The adjustment to the transparency of the sphere has allowed the rose and rose petals to be visible. They were quite muted before.
It is also allowing your figures to be the focus of the image.
I personally prefer a subtle expression and am always amazed at how a relaly slight adjustment to the features can make a huge difference. I think she has a very natural looking expressioon which can be a challenge.
If it can be done without losing the overal image, perhaps tilting the mirror back very slightly so the bottom is a little closer to her chin and more of her forehead can be seen in the reflection will help.
Really nice image.
I guess I should have waited for this version.
I like the additional props. They add to the story without taking anything away from your figures.
I keep missing things in your image. I just noticed the flock fo birds.
When the grave gives up its dead...
The "RexRed" signature text was the only post work.
RexRed artwork made for October intermediate contest entry.