#Text, lights, & fog.
5 messages in this thread
Hi GreG,
I'd really like your help on a certain effect I'm trying to create with
Imagine. I want to have a light shining through a rectangle with holes cut out
of it representing some text. The catch is that the light should be visibly
coming through the holes in the rectangle (like mist or fog, etc). What I
tried is extruding the same text, scaling the front face (larger), and making
it into a fog object. This works alright (sorta) for a from-the-side view
(looking down from about 45 degrees) but I'd like to have it head on – and when
I try it that way, some fog-related bugs make themselves known (canceling each
other, etc). I also tried the linear texture but it doesn't quite work the way
I was using it.
Any hints, pointers, etc ? Btw, I have some of your images and (I think)
"Creation" has an effect similar to what I'm going for.
Thanks in advance,
Shane.
ps. Cool web page!
>>
This works alright (sorta) for a from-the-side view (looking down from about 45
degrees) but I'd like to have it head on – and when I try it that way, some
fog-related bugs make themselves known (canceling each other, etc).
<<
First, what version of Imagine are you using? I'm asking only so I know what
playing field I'm on.
Important question, does the extruded text object have front & back faces? Or
is the front and back of the object open? If it lacks front & back faces, then
you'll see the fog cancelling itself out in places.
>>
I also tried the linear texture but it doesn't quite work the way I was using
it.
<<
What you want to use with FOG objects is the FOGTOP texture to dissipate the
visible light rays as they extend from the cut-out holes. I also normally set
the noize magnitude and velocity to zero in order to get a clean transition.
Let me know if the extruded text object has front/back faces.
>> ps. Cool web page!
Thanks. BTW, the cracked egg with the visible light rays was rendered in
Imagine also.
-GreG
>> First, what version of Imagine are you using?
ImaginePC 3.2.
>> Important question, does the extruded text object have front & back faces?
I believe so. I actually used a True-Type font and extruded it in trueSpace
(and scaled the front face(s)). Then I exported as DXF and imported into
Imagine (bec. TS doesn't have (object) fog… yet <g>). Anyway, I'm fairly
sure it's a solid object (in fact, I did render the text in Imagine as just
blue (ie. no fog length) and it was fully faced <bg>).
>> If it lacks front & back faces, then you'll see the fog cancelling itself
out in places.
Well, there was some definite cancelling going on… (btw, this was using
Quick Render in the Detail editor with only two objects: the back rectangle
and the extruded text).
>> What you want to use with FOG objects is the FOGTOP texture
Ok, I'll look into that.
Thanks,
Shane.
Shane,
If you are still having difficulty getting the effect, e-mail me the grouped
objects as you have them. It may be something trivial.
But, to go over it again, and a few more tips on how I make the light rays and
the "light-source"
For the text shaped light rays emitting from a text shaped cut-out, I would
proceed as follows:
-Create a 2D object for the text that is faced (not just edges).
-Give it the color you want the light source to be, and make it BRIGHT
-Copy this 2D object and extrude it to get a 3D object
-Make this 3D object a FOG object with a low fog setting.
-Add the FOGTOP.ITX to this object, with the texure's Z axis pointing towards
what would be the front face of the 3D text object (the face that is away from
the light source). Position the texture axis to be midway between the back and
front face of the 3D text object. Scale the texture axis so that the bounding
box's Z axis just about covers the length of the 3D text object.
-Position the 3D text object just in front of the BRIGHT 2D text object. It
should not occupy the exact same position, but rather be in front of it a very
small amount…(0.1 units) will do. We need this so that the back faces of the
3D text object don't get clipped by the 2D object.
-Render
See how that works. If it's still not what you expect, shoot the objects you
have my way in e-mail.
-GreG
Ok, thanks GreG. I'll try it out and see what happens.
– Shane.