Here is an interesting example using 2 Metablobs and a procedural terrain (with a very simple geometry as explained earlier). On all three the same displacement map has been applied (World Standard mode). Was surprised that it really worked. On the picture it`s hard to see where the terrain ends and the Metablobs begin. (The vegetation is some low res stuff. Really need to get myself some high resolution vegetation. Any tips?)

Great progress on the rocks and ooo metablobs in use!

Fellows, the function editor grew up in the time between my old Vue 4 and Vue 8 Complete that I am now having fun playing with.  I am a bit perplexed.  Any tips?

 Way too many to begin listing here. Best thing to do is watch the tutorials at Geekatplay called basics of the function editor to get you up to speed.  There's a few other tutorials out there as well.

Great examples once again eonite!

Thank you, guys :-)

tsquare: Make certain that you have a good understanding of the basics. It will be much easier to control what you intend to create.

Basics like:

1. Nodes:
   -Knowing how to create a new node.

• Understanding the difference between nodes outputting a number and nodes outputting a vector.
  -  Understanding the difference between a noise node and a fractal node.
  -  Knowing what filter nodes are and what they are good for.

1. Connections:

• Knowing how to make connections from one node to the next, and also how to connect a node to a parameter of another node.
• Knowing how to disconnect and reconnect.
• Understanding that a function needs to be connected to an  input node and an output node.

1. Parameters:

• Understanding what effect gain, roughness, etc have.
• Knowing how to influence a parameter by connecting another node to it.

Another advice I can give is to experiment with simple functions, just 1-3 nodes, and to find out what effect each parameter has. Also, try to create your own (simple) functions and play with the parameters and connections.

...and as Monsoon mentioned already, the function editor tutorials from Geekatplay may help you to get familiar with it (I found them really useful).

After stumbling across this thread yesterday and reading it completely (twice), I am in awe. As a Vue user I have been trying to add realistic looking fractured rocks and cliff faces to my scenes. Since I haven't learned the Function Editor yet I have been modeling mega-poly objects externally and importing them in. I foolishly thought the geometric approach was the way to go. The images and discussions posted here have blown me away.

Monsoon and eonite:  the results you guys are getting using the FE has inspired, motivated and challenged me to learn this fascinating feature of Vue that I have ignored. Now I can clearly see that geometric modeling should be used for the basic shape and form of the natural objects, and all of the sub-form, flow, fractures, cleavage, details, etc. should be done procedurally.

Now, it's off to G@P for some beginner FE tutorials and then to experiment with eonite's example scenes and tips so generously provided. Thank you eonite, Monsoon and all participants!

 If you find any other FE things that are helpful, please let me know, Artrager.  I am in the same boat, so to speak.  :)

Thank you, Teque

 The function editor is full of power and mystery and it's depths can be daunting. When knowledge is shared among users like in this thread, it can spur wholly unexpected explorations. I would have never, on my own, discovered the whole 'vector' thing. Or, it can just refresh. I used a lot of displacement when it first came out but subsequent versions' inability to handle displacement made me get used to not using it. It was one of the things I was missing in my quest for craggy, jaggy rocks. I also discovered that some of my material 'mixing' was unnecessary. With some further linking in the function editor I was able to emulate the mix in a single layer. What started out here as a search for 'blur' ended up with a lot of clarity. Life is good.

artrager and tsquare: its great to see that you guys show so much interest in the thread. Indeed, the function editor is powerful and it massively extends Vues scope. Of course it takes some time to get into it, but once you have gotten to the point where you have a certain control over the nodes and the function as a whole, things are getting very exciting. Especially when you are able to create a function from scratch, you can use the experience you have gained to get the look and feel that you want to achieve.

As for rocks, indeed it seems that using simple basic geometries and then further refine the geometry by using displacement  seems to offer more flexibility and power than using complex imported objects. Also, this way you can, at any stage, change the geometry completely. Another powerful option is, as Monsoon mentioned, to make parts of the coloring dependent on the displacement function. This is easy to achieve, because both, the displacement function and the color function are present in the same window and you can link any part of the displacement function to any input of the color function.

But we also have to be aware that displacement as such has not always been so clean as it is now with the latest version of Vue 8. I remember, when I experimented with Vue 7 using displacement, I was often disappointed because I could not get rid of some artifacts. Artifacts can still be produced, even with the latest version of Vue, but they can be avoided rather easily by using simple underlying geometries and by avoiding exaggerated displacement. Also one should be careful when using nodes with sudden value changes (for example "Flat Pattern" nodes).

I understand that a lot needs to be learned and I do not think that there enough tutorials around to cover all possible aspects of the function editor (the possibilities are staggering). So IMO what`s important is to have a good  understanding of the basics (no need to be a mathematician though). 
A good way to learn (once you have understood the basics) is to analyse some of the existing functions.

Once you know what the basic options are you can explore things on your own. It`s a constant learning process.

And of course it`s always good to discuss certain aspects (I think that this thread is beneficial for all participants/readers).

tsquare: it's a big boat!

Monsoon: yes, life is good!

eonite: it seems that my manic excitement of possibilities envisioned has been replaced by the sobering realization that this is going to take some time. Looking at your examples, I am totally baffled. I will start with the basics as you suggested.

After all: to quote R.P.Studios - "learning is awesome!!!"

Hm, I have never been quoted before... maybe a t-shirt is in order ?!?  :D

 oh, yeah.. t-shirt challenge time!  :)

Quote - Some jaggy craggy displacements with image overlays.......V7.4. 

Here are six Vue rocks with a function driving the displacement and an image driving the color. In the displacement function there is also color but it is only gray light and dark according to the displacement fractals. The image map is applied as a layer with bump set to 0, alpha half way, and the bump slider set all the way to 'add' on the right. Image mapping is set to 'faces'.  Makes for some natural looking variety.

I bought your Rock of Ages product, Monsoon.  Thanks for making these.

That is one awesome package. He only gets better with age :D

我一直就想利用VUE这个工具来制作张家界的石柱。但VUE的函数我难以控制。无法做出石柱那种斑驳的凹凸效果。最终效果差强人意，感谢你们的思路。至少我现在知道从什么开始。thanks!