The best way to make lightning...

[acmepixel]

What would be the best way to make some really cool lightning? I mean the kind that would be shot out of a gun and would scatter on what it hit. I saw a picture that someone did on this site that was what i wanted but i can't find it. Should i use expresso or emmiters or real flow (which, by that way, i don't know how to use too well)? Any help would be greatly appreciated. i'll try to find the picture to give you an idea of what i'm talking about.

there's a free plugin that does lightning bolts
http://www.c4dplugs.com/
do a search on _ bolt _

add glow, luminance, etc. Or use StormTracer for a lot more power and control.
(do a search here on cgtalk on stormtracer)

[jamacsween]

Hi there,

Check out these samples I pulled together for my unfinished GSO entry. Was done using the great plugin Bolt Classic and can be animated over a number of frames.

http://www.cgnetworks.com/challenge/entries/7/5333/5333_1103331579_large.jpg#

PM me if you want any more info.

HTH

JM

[Per-Anders]

you could also do it with Storm Tracer, organic cloning and splines, as in this little test i did the other day

http://www.peranders.com/c4d8/celery/birddrop8.mov

[anobrin]

Heres an animation I rendered in Cinema
using bolt Classic in the background


http://66.70.166.29/promo/razak.mpg

[gsuhy]

If you have After Effects, it's built-in advanced Lightning is great:
http://www.studiog.tv/gweb_motion.htm#
(see Saucer and Tekken animations)

[AdamT]

I'd have to agree that AE's effect is the best way to go.

[RorrKonn]

Benjamin was rather successful with a kite :argh:

RorrKonn
http://www.atomic-3d.com (http://www.atomic-3d.com)

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