A Gradient Weight Map Experiment

Works in Progress
#1

With a bit of help from @WFab I got reacquainted with this technique. I experimented a few times with creating a single weight map gradient for use with an imported color table, so this was not entirely new to me. I just gravitated toward using individual masks and a number of internal gradients for a lot of my terrains. I expanded a bit from the tutorial WFab recommended, incorporating a few of my own techniques, on this quick practice terrain.

gradient to color table test 1
gradient to color table test 11687×971 113 KB

gradient to color table test 2
gradient to color table test 21687×971 102 KB

I really do like the kind of results this produces.

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#2

Here’s a closer look at the details…

gradient to color table test 2 01
gradient to color table test 2 011920×971 179 KB

gradient to color table test 1 01
gradient to color table test 1 011920×971 161 KB

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#3

I tried combining the two color table gradients and got this:

gradient to color table test 3 01
gradient to color table test 3 011920×971 172 KB

I might make this a standard technique. I think I need to tweak it a bit more, though.

…so, a few hours of tinkering went like this:

gradient to color table test 5 01
gradient to color table test 5 011920×971 165 KB

gradient to color table test 5 02
gradient to color table test 5 021920×971 167 KB

First, I blended one of the merged textures back in to enhance the lower slopes. Then I went back to the beginning and added a strata node with perlin noise plugged in to tilt and strength, I did some masking so that the strata that came through the first erosion survived the next one. Then I modified the masks further to bring out the rocks in the texture, with a different gradient.

While doing this, I was also working on planetary clouds in Filter Forge. I switch between FF and WM when one is tied up with rendering. Not sure what I want to do next with this terrain. That’s what prompted me to post an update edit.

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#4

Add snow (with a realistic sun/shadow side of the mountain)!

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#5

Well, I gave snow a try. Unfortunately, WM crashed right after I rendered it out. So, I don’t have an update on this experiment yet. I’ll try to squeeze in another attempt when no other projects are rendering.

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#6

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