Attached Link: http://www.geekatplay.com/tutorials.php

I have a few questions.

#1) A little over a 1/4 through the video he adds a fractal node to the bump and chooses 'altitude'.  He adds another fractal node then a blender and chooses 'altitude' again.

I don't get these choices at all.  I have Vue6Infinite.  After I finish making my material it is not quite the same as his in the video.  I have to lower my bump size in the advanced material editor...he has 30, I have to have 15 to get a similar effect but then the shape is more round.

#2) Under bump in the advanced material editor, he has 'dependent on slope' under displacement mapping.  I don't have that choice.  How can I get the same effect and why don't I have the same options?

Thanks, Nancy

What's your full version and build no. ?

Hi, here's the info:

6.60.04 build 292711

That tutorial was made with Vue7, so that could explain why you don't have those features.

That would explain it, as the Fractal nodes in Vue7 have an extra output.
If you've double checked that all the settings are the same on those nodes, then any differences are probably down to changes in how the nodes are implemented.

I just followed the tutorial with both 6 and 7 at the same time using exactly the same colours and settings

Both features you're missing are only available in 7 but I didn't notice any real difference between the 2 other than not being able to smooth the top part using the dependant on slope option.

Thank you everyone.  The biggest difference I saw between my and  his rocks was the amount of 'slide' of the layers.  Mine seemed much more jagged and displaced.  I reduced the bump so that it smoothed it more.

What I ended up with in my final render was a rock that looked too smooth and round.  Looks like striped balls sitting on a beach.  I will retry this tutorial and this time make my amounts match exactly what the author had (I made my amounts similar but not exact) and leave the bump large.  Will see if the final render gives me the results I wanted.

That's actually what I got when I quickly did it....in both versions - lumpy, stripey balls
But at least the result was consistent in both

:b_shocked:

Thanks Gill, I like knowing that both versions get the same results.  I can't afford to upgrade to version 7 just yet and part of me wants to wait until the bugs are ironed out :)

Burpee,
impottant general note for folk who really love any art program:

unless the company is in deep crap, like oh how Metacreations dropped Bryce and Poser (grrrrr!!!!! ), when you see something like Vue7 announced and first month is a sale, GET IT CHEAP WHILE YOU CAN!! ;)

For instance, iirc, Maxwell renderer, I bought a license in Alpha testing, so it was 400 Euros or so?? Also got free extra license for the early buy. Price now is about 900 Euros....!

there was also a special bundle of Maxwell and Rhino Version4, together for $650, once! wowie. I got Rhino v2 in College so it was, hm, 175 euros? and upgraded since then, thus saving a lot of money.
(some nitwit companies won't let you upgrade from educational licenses, bah! But McNeel who make Rhino, did allow you to, which was nice)

I got an extra copy of Vue6 Infinite with a purchase of Lightwave8, but didn't have cash, after buying V7I upgrade and CS4 extended upgrade, to upgrade that extra Vue copy, to version 7, sigh.

Always a pain in the arse, you have a great idea for a scene, one's rendering away, you want to work on another scene...you know? which I was doing, until I got the 64 bit rig and now Version7.

Aw geezers, you make a great point.  I suppose I could use that Christmas money I got.  I read somewhere that it is only $99 to upgrade to version7 from Vue6Infinite.  I just wondered if the version I would upgrade to would be as comprehensive as the V6I that I have now.

Any thoughts?

Burpee,

I looked at it as such. If Vue 7 Complete ($99) can do all the bits you used in V6I and your happy with that and can render better quality renders and will do it faster, it's worth the $99.

Chris

Quote - Always a pain in the arse, you have a great idea for a scene, one's rendering away, you want to work on another scene...you know? which I was doing, until I got the 64 bit rig and now Version7.

You can network render with only one machine, but I know you knew that. Let the RenderCow work in the background while you work on the next scene in the foreground.

MyCat
doesn't that use reosurces of the main PC though, and sicne my rendercow PC only has 2 gigs of RAM, where as my art rig has 8 gigs and my scenes are usually 2 or 3 gigs....?