#STARMAKER
13 messages in this thread
Hi All,
1- I need to know how I can generate different star fields for a space
background. I tried using STARMAKE.EXE but it generates the same exact stars
over and over, so how does one get it to generate different stars, so that i
can layer them in Video Post?
2- Also, what is the maximum amount of stars that STARMAKE can generate without
telling me that I don't have anough RAM? I have 16 megs of RAM.
3- Also, how can I make it seem that the start are moving? Is RAIN IPAS the
only way to do this?
This is pretty urgent so I REALLY would appreciate a promt reply…
Thank you in advance.
Alex K.
If you're using STARS3, you can just plug different numbers in the database
field to get different numbers of stars. (I forget what the maximum # is, but
you can experiment.)
The usual way for doing interesting starfields is by implementing multiple
layers with different amounts of stars moving at different rates. This
involves pre-rendering layers and compositing in VP.
If you want to move INTO the stars, you can either do it with RAIN or you can
use SCATTER to create a physical starfield (arraying the star objects around a
sphere (or spheres), for instance.
– G
Hi Gary,
Thanks for the reply, but there are a couple of things that I still need
clarification on…:
>>>>>If you're using STARS3, you can just plug different numbers in the
database field to get different numbers of stars. <<<<<
If I'm using STARS2 can I achieve this?
>>>The usual way for doing interesting starfields is by implementing multiple
layers with different amounts of stars moving at different rates. This
involves pre-rendering layers and compositing in VP.<<<
By implementing multiple layers, you're refering to adding lines in the VP,
right?
And how do you make them move at different rates? Or is this only in STARS3?
Please let me know….
Thank you.
Alex,
If you'd like stars like you see in StarTrek The Next Gen., you'd be better off
using Scatter or Array to create 200-500 copies of a single star geometry. This
way, the stars vary in size as much as you like, and they move at different
rates, and you can have as many as you like (depending on render times), AND
you can move through them. The Star IXPs are fast and are great for
infinite-distance stars, but are limited fro the above reasons.
To make a geometry starfield, create an opacity map of a radial grad from white
to black. Apply this map to a square plane as a 2-sided opacity map. Copy and
rotate the plane so that you have 3 planes intersecting along the X, Y and Z
axes. This gives you an object that, at a small face count, gives you a star
from any angle. Make 300 or so copies (several ways to do this). Attach them
all into one object and merge into your scene, then scale appropriately.
I hope this helps a little. We're using it to (I think) great effect in a SciFi
CD game coming out soon, The Daedalus Encounter.
Eric Chadwick
Mechadeus
Hi,
<< If you'd like stars like you see in StarTrek The Next Gen., you'd be better
off using Scatter or Array to create 200-500 copies of a single star
geometry.>>
I agree completely. Have you see what a bit of scripting can do to 100's of
objects? check out….
File Info for GAL70.ZIP
Section: Scripts Contributor: 71532,3255 Size: 1007907
Submitted: 12/12/94 Type: Binary Accesses: 8
Title: Keyscript/TSE Example. By Ed Kellerman.
Keys: KELLERMAN SCRIPT EXTENSION TSE KEYSCRIPT PXP 3DS 1024X768 FLC
See a sphere crash through a group of particles from the location of one of
the
particles. If boulder-sized particles confuse you, consult the more
traditional
rendering shown simultaneously.
Created with 3DS Release 4 using two scripts.
– A Keysript script (that generated over 500 position keys for each frame.)
– The Script Extension (PXP module) for 3D Studio Release 4, created the
camera and generated keys for it and its target. TSE is available from
Schreiber Instruments.
Ed Kellerman
[dl time at 2400b:62min]
…I like the compressed area in the center of the leading edge of moving
particles as well as the ever slowly spreading void of particles where the
initial impact with the group occurs….it reminds me of a picture of a bullet
shooting thru' a balloon that I saw at the museum as a kid…awesome flic!
Thank you Jonas. i think i like the Scatter idea since i want to move trough
them, and have limited experience with scripting…
Thank you for your help..
Alex K.
Eric,
got those images of Tia for upload yet? <G>
Martin,
Re: images of Tia Carrere… I haven't forgotten you, I just have to clear it
with Mechadeus' marketing person before I put more images on CS. BTW, she looks
great…
Eric Chadwick
Mechadeus
Eric,
>> images of Tia …. have to clear it with marketing …. BTW, she looks
great… <<
super. I'm looking forward to it…and yes, she does, but then she'd probably
look great in anything.
Hi Eric,
Thank you for your reply, i will try it out and see if i get the desired
results. i think i will…
Take care….
Alex K.
With STARS2, you've got less flexibility. But you can use the starmake program
and different camera FOV's for different layers to get nice spherical layered
stars.
Eric's recommendation would probably give you more of what you're looking for,
since you want to move through the stars in 3D.
– G
Thanks Gary, i will try it out and let you know what happened..
Alex K.