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Mike Nuts
02-19-2006, 03:01 AM
Hi all,

I'm writing a tutorial about how to create lightning (as in electrical discharge) in 3DSM without a plugin.

I've been playing around with different glows and it seems that nothing beats the glow+glare in Mental Ray, so I decided to go with that one. I wasn't aiming for total realism, but after trying out some different settings, I think I ended up with some pretty good test results.

I'd like to know if you agree, or not, and have any suggestions for improvements.

Here's the base render:
http://www.3dnuts.com/images/lightningbase.jpg

After 'smudging' in PhotoShop:
http://www.3dnuts.com/images/lightningb.jpg

After compositing in photo:
http://www.3dnuts.com/images/lightning.jpg

NOTE: I know I need to at least lit the entire sky a bit more, and spread the glow.

Here's one of the ref pics I used:
http://www.3dnuts.com/images/lightningref.jpg
Ryan-B
02-19-2006, 04:06 AM
It's much easier to do it in compositing.
Mike Nuts
02-19-2006, 04:30 AM
To do what in compositing? Do mean creating the lightning in photoshop entirely?
Ryan-B
02-19-2006, 07:10 AM
For example, After Effects Pro comes with a lightning plugin.
Mike Nuts
02-19-2006, 08:42 AM
Yeah, well, I don't have Adobe After Effects and I can't assume everyone else does. I can do it in photoshop too, however, as I posted in my initial post "I'm writing a tutorial about how to create lightning in 3DSM without a plugin" (the main purpose is to show and explain some 3dsm+mr features not about compositing lightning in a photo). So I was looking for comments regarding the results, not suggestions for other software/plugins.
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02-19-2006, 08:42 AM
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