Difference between revisions of "Lake"

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(Updated descriptions and added example images.)
 
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[[Image:drex_module_197_image_0.png|485pxpx|Lake]]
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[[File:Lake_00_GUI.png|none|470px|Lake]]
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== Overview ==
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The Lake object provides a convenient way to add an area of water to your project.  It does this by creating a disc with curvature that matches the default planet, and applies a Water shader to it.
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While the Lake object is the primary water object in Terragen, it is not the only way to represent water. The Water Shader is what gives the Lake object the appearance of water and you can apply the shader to other objects as well to give them a water-like appearance.
  
'''Node Description and Purpose'''<br />
 
The Lake object is the main water object in Terragen. It creates a disc with a Water shader attached. The disc curves to match the planet.
 
  
The Lake object is not the only way to represent water. The Water Shader is what gives the Lake the appearance of water and you can apply the Water shader to other objects to give them a water-like appearance. The Lake object is a convenient way to add an area of water, though.
 
<br /><br />
 
'''Node Type:''' Water
 
<br /><br />
 
 
'''Settings:'''
 
'''Settings:'''
* '''Handle in preview:''' If this is checked, the bounding box and object handle for the Lake object is shown in the 3D Preview, allowing you to manipulate it by clicking and dragging in the the 3D Preview.
 
* '''Render:''' TBC
 
* '''Visible to other rays:''' TBC
 
* '''Cast shadows''': Makes the water disc cast shadows onto the terrain (seldom used).
 
* '''Render method''': TBC
 
* '''Sorting bias''': TBC
 
  
  
<u>Transform tab</u>
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*'''Name:''' This setting allows you to apply a descriptive name to the node, which can be helpful when using multiple Lake nodes in a project.
* '''Water level:''' This sets the level of the lake above the surface of the planet it's attached to.
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* '''Centre:''' The position of the centre of the lake. The Y coordinate is tied to the '''Water level''' setting.
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* '''Max radius:''' This is the radius of the lake disc. A lake object is always round.
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*'''Enable:''' When checked, the node is active and the Lake object will appear in the scene with the settings below applied to its surface. When unchecked, the node is ignored.
* '''Import chan file:''' Click this button to import a chan file to animate the position of the Lake.
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*'''Handle in preview:'''  When checked, the bounding box and object handle for the Lake object is shown in the 3D Preview, allowing you to select and manipulate it by clicking and dragging in the 3D Preview.
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<ul>
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[[File:Lake_04_HandleInPreview.jpg|none|800px|Handle in preview on and off.]]
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</ul>
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*'''Render:''' This popup menu provides 3 options in which to set the object’s render state.  The render state can be set to Visible, Invisible or Holdout. When set to Holdout, an object is visible in the rendered image as a black shape with an alpha value of zero. When using render layers the object's render state is combined with the group visibility parameter to determine its least visible setting. Invisible is less visible than Holdout, which is less visible than Visible.
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<ul>
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[[File: OBJReader_25_RenderingTab_RenderType.png |none|148px|Render state options]]
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<br /n>
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[[File:Lake_05_RenderState.jpg||none|800px|Render options set to invisible, holdout, and visible.]]
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</ul>
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*'''Visible to other rays:''' When enabled, the Lake object will be taken into account by all the rays determined by the renderer including those from the camera, direct and indirect lighting, etc. In the example below, a 100% reflective 3D object has been placed behind three coloured spheres in order to mirror the effect of the calculated rays.
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<ul>
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[[ File: OBJReader_60_RenderingTab_VisibleToOtherRays.gif | none|400px|Visible to other rays comparison ]]
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</ul>
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*'''Cast shadow:''' When checked, the Lake object will cast shadows.
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<ul>
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[[ File: OBJReader_61_RenderTab_CastShadows.gif | none|400px|Cast Shadows comparison ]]
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</ul>
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*'''Render method:''' This popup has three options.
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<ul>
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[[ File: OBJReader_36_RenderingTab_RenderMethod.png | none|340px|Render method options ]]
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<u>Default:</u> Ray Tracing is the default rendering method for an object. Typically it results in higher quality and faster rendering. When displacement is applied to a 3D object the render method should be changed to Force Displacement. When the object's render method is set to Default, the object is rendered according to the Ray trace objects setting in the render node. <br /n>
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<u>Force Displacement:</u> When enabled for a 3D object, its surfaces will be subdivided into micropolygons at render time, which allows the 3D geometry to be displaced correctly but at the expense of slightly longer render times. It is useful when you have some objects you want to render with displacement but you don't want to change how all the rest of your objects are rendered, i.e. Ray traced. <br /n>
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<u>Force Ray Trace:</u> When enabled for a 3D object, its surfaces will be ray traced at render time, even if Ray trace objects is disabled in the Renderer settings. This can be useful when Ray trace objects is disabled in the Renderer in order for other 3D objects to use displacement, but you want this object to use ray tracing for the highest quality rendering and it has not been displaced.
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</ul>
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*'''Sorting bias (metres):''' This setting gives you control over the order in which objects are rendered when using the micropolygon renderer. This does not apply to objects being rendered with the ray tracer. A large positive value, e.g. 10,000,000 (or 1e7) will usually force the object to render first. A large negative value, e.g. -10,000,000 (or -1e7) will usually force the object to render last, or after the terrain. This can be useful when rendering large objects with displacement, such as a lake object that lies mostly below the displaced terrain. By setting the lake object’s Sorting bias (metres) value to something like -10,000,000 forces it to render after the terrain.
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== Transform Tab ==
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*'''Water level:''' This parameter sets the level of the Lake above the surface of the planet it is attached to. This setting is tied directly to the Centre’s Y axis setting.  Note that if you need to animate the water level, set the key frames on the Centre’s Y axis setting.
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<ul>
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[[File:Lake_06_WaterLevel.jpg|none|800px|The Water level setting raises and lowers the Lake object’s position relative to the surface of the planet.]]
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</ul>
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*'''Centre:''' This setting determines the position of the centre of the Lake object. Its Y coordinate is tied to the Water level setting.
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<ul>
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[[File:Lake_07_Centre.jpg|none|800px|The Centre setting determines the position of the Lake object.]]
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</ul>
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*'''Max radius:''' This setting controls the radius of the Lake disc. A Lake object is always round.
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<ul>
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[[File:Lake_08_MaxRadius.jpg|none | 800px | The Max radius value controls the size of the Lake disc.]]
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</ul>
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== Planet Tab ==
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[[File:Lake_02_PlanetTab.png|none|470px|Planet Tab]]
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*'''Planet:'''  This lets you set the Planet the Lake is attached to. The Lake uses the Planet to set its Water level.
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== Surface Shaders ==
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[[File:Lake_03_SurfaceShadersTab.png|none|470px|Surface Shaders Tab]]
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*'''Surface shader: '''  This setting allows you to assign a surface shader to the Lake object. By default this is a Water shader.
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<ul>
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[[File:Lake_10_SurfaceShaderWaterShader.jpg|none|800px|The Water shader is the default surface shader assigned to the Lake object.]]
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</ul>
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*'''Displacement tolerance:'''  If you find that rough or spikey surfaces are showing problems at bucket edges, for example spikes having cut off tops, or gaps in ray traced shadows then increasing this value may help. However this can greatly increase render times. Relatively flat surfaces may render more quickly with smaller values. The default value is 1. However this is an advanced setting and you should not change it unless you have a specific problem you need to address. If you are having problems try starting with 2 and then increase it by small increments until they're resolved. A value of 4 would be considered a high value.
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== Import Tab ==
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[[File:Lake_09_ImportTab.png|none|470px|Import Tab]]
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These parameters apply to .chan/.mov and FBX import.
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*'''Import offset:''' This setting allows you to offset the positions imported from the file. As an example, you might want the positions imported from the file to be moved 10 metres in the X direction. To do that enter 10 for the X coordinate and import the file.
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*'''Import scale:''' You can use this setting to scale values imported from the file.
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*'''Import Chan file:''' This param specifies the file to be imported. When you choose a new file you will be prompted to import the file. If you choose not to import it immediately you can click the Import chan File button to perform the import.
  
<br />
 
==Additional tabs for Lake==
 
  
* [[Lake - Planet Tab]]
 
  
* [[Lake - Surface Shaders Tab]]
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<br /n>
  
<!-- imported from file: module_197.html-->
 
  
 
[[Category: Other Nodes]]
 
[[Category: Other Nodes]]

Latest revision as of 21:58, 27 October 2021

Lake


Overview[edit]

The Lake object provides a convenient way to add an area of water to your project. It does this by creating a disc with curvature that matches the default planet, and applies a Water shader to it. While the Lake object is the primary water object in Terragen, it is not the only way to represent water. The Water Shader is what gives the Lake object the appearance of water and you can apply the shader to other objects as well to give them a water-like appearance.


Settings:


  • Name: This setting allows you to apply a descriptive name to the node, which can be helpful when using multiple Lake nodes in a project.


  • Enable: When checked, the node is active and the Lake object will appear in the scene with the settings below applied to its surface. When unchecked, the node is ignored.


  • Handle in preview: When checked, the bounding box and object handle for the Lake object is shown in the 3D Preview, allowing you to select and manipulate it by clicking and dragging in the 3D Preview.
    Handle in preview on and off.


  • Render: This popup menu provides 3 options in which to set the object’s render state. The render state can be set to Visible, Invisible or Holdout. When set to Holdout, an object is visible in the rendered image as a black shape with an alpha value of zero. When using render layers the object's render state is combined with the group visibility parameter to determine its least visible setting. Invisible is less visible than Holdout, which is less visible than Visible.
    Render state options


    Render options set to invisible, holdout, and visible.


  • Visible to other rays: When enabled, the Lake object will be taken into account by all the rays determined by the renderer including those from the camera, direct and indirect lighting, etc. In the example below, a 100% reflective 3D object has been placed behind three coloured spheres in order to mirror the effect of the calculated rays.
    Visible to other rays comparison


  • Cast shadow: When checked, the Lake object will cast shadows.
    Cast Shadows comparison


  • Render method: This popup has three options.
    Render method options

    Default: Ray Tracing is the default rendering method for an object. Typically it results in higher quality and faster rendering. When displacement is applied to a 3D object the render method should be changed to Force Displacement. When the object's render method is set to Default, the object is rendered according to the Ray trace objects setting in the render node.

    Force Displacement: When enabled for a 3D object, its surfaces will be subdivided into micropolygons at render time, which allows the 3D geometry to be displaced correctly but at the expense of slightly longer render times. It is useful when you have some objects you want to render with displacement but you don't want to change how all the rest of your objects are rendered, i.e. Ray traced.

    Force Ray Trace: When enabled for a 3D object, its surfaces will be ray traced at render time, even if Ray trace objects is disabled in the Renderer settings. This can be useful when Ray trace objects is disabled in the Renderer in order for other 3D objects to use displacement, but you want this object to use ray tracing for the highest quality rendering and it has not been displaced.


  • Sorting bias (metres): This setting gives you control over the order in which objects are rendered when using the micropolygon renderer. This does not apply to objects being rendered with the ray tracer. A large positive value, e.g. 10,000,000 (or 1e7) will usually force the object to render first. A large negative value, e.g. -10,000,000 (or -1e7) will usually force the object to render last, or after the terrain. This can be useful when rendering large objects with displacement, such as a lake object that lies mostly below the displaced terrain. By setting the lake object’s Sorting bias (metres) value to something like -10,000,000 forces it to render after the terrain.


Transform Tab[edit]

  • Water level: This parameter sets the level of the Lake above the surface of the planet it is attached to. This setting is tied directly to the Centre’s Y axis setting. Note that if you need to animate the water level, set the key frames on the Centre’s Y axis setting.
    The Water level setting raises and lowers the Lake object’s position relative to the surface of the planet.


  • Centre: This setting determines the position of the centre of the Lake object. Its Y coordinate is tied to the Water level setting.
    The Centre setting determines the position of the Lake object.


  • Max radius: This setting controls the radius of the Lake disc. A Lake object is always round.
    The Max radius value controls the size of the Lake disc.


Planet Tab[edit]

Planet Tab


  • Planet: This lets you set the Planet the Lake is attached to. The Lake uses the Planet to set its Water level.


Surface Shaders[edit]

Surface Shaders Tab


  • Surface shader: This setting allows you to assign a surface shader to the Lake object. By default this is a Water shader.
    The Water shader is the default surface shader assigned to the Lake object.


  • Displacement tolerance: If you find that rough or spikey surfaces are showing problems at bucket edges, for example spikes having cut off tops, or gaps in ray traced shadows then increasing this value may help. However this can greatly increase render times. Relatively flat surfaces may render more quickly with smaller values. The default value is 1. However this is an advanced setting and you should not change it unless you have a specific problem you need to address. If you are having problems try starting with 2 and then increase it by small increments until they're resolved. A value of 4 would be considered a high value.

Import Tab[edit]

Import Tab

These parameters apply to .chan/.mov and FBX import.


  • Import offset: This setting allows you to offset the positions imported from the file. As an example, you might want the positions imported from the file to be moved 10 metres in the X direction. To do that enter 10 for the X coordinate and import the file.


  • Import scale: You can use this setting to scale values imported from the file.


  • Import Chan file: This param specifies the file to be imported. When you choose a new file you will be prompted to import the file. If you choose not to import it immediately you can click the Import chan File button to perform the import.



A shader is a program or set of instructions used in 3D computer graphics to determine the final surface properties of an object or image. This can include arbitrarily complex descriptions of light absorption and diffusion, texture mapping, reflection and refraction, shadowing, surface displacement and post-processing effects. In Terragen 2 shaders are used to construct and modify almost every element of a scene.

A single object or device in the node network which generates or modifies data and may accept input data or create output data or both, depending on its function. Nodes usually have their own settings which control the data they create or how they modify data passing through them. Nodes are connected together in a network to perform work in a network-based user interface. In Terragen 2 nodes are connected together to describe a scene.

The bounding box is a box which surrounds (or bounds) an object or shader. This box shows the maximum extents of the item inside it. Sometimes abbreviated as "b-box".

A parameter is an individual setting in a node parameter view which controls some aspect of the node.

Literally, to change the position of something. In graphics terminology to displace a surface is to modify its geometric (3D) structure using reference data of some kind. For example, a grayscale image might be taken as input, with black areas indicating no displacement of the surface, and white indicating maximum displacement. In Terragen 2 displacement is used to create all terrain by taking heightfield or procedural data as input and using it to displace the normally flat sphere of the planet.

When Terragen renders, it divides the image up into buckets or tiles. Each bucket is rendered separately, allowing multiple buckets to be rendered at once. It also allows memory to be used more efficiently.