Creating an orb.

#1

Feel embarrased asking this, but I’m looking for a tutorial on creating a nice orb. I’m mostly a modeller/animator, so I’m severally lacking in the rendering department. A 3D ( 3DS Max or Blender) or 2D (Photoshop) solution would do, doesn’t matter. I’m just looking for a really nice result, one that looks like the orb has density, maybe more (sparkly lights) inside :wink: If anyone knows of one, a link would be hugely appreciated :slight_smile: Thanks.

Reference:

This is for a still though, I’m not looking to recreat that swirling effect… just everything else.

#2

I’d just do this with textures. If it isn’t complex enough, use multiple spheres slightly up/downscaled with various shaders. If you don’t like that result, toss some geometry inside the spheres to increase the complexity. Here are some blood pearls I made a long time ago with displaced geometry within and several outer spheres adding gloss, glares, and extra refraction:

#3

You’d be able to create something that looks like your example with a colored glass material and a bumpmap. No need to get too fancy.

#4

You’d be able to create something that looks like your example with a colored glass material and a bumpmap. No need to get too fancy.

This technique works well, except has no volume. For an orb with detailing inside, especially for animation, having volume increases your detailing and realism a thousandfold. Sometimes surface texturing is just fine though, I agree!

#5

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