If you export the alpha-channel together with the colour render of the foreground scene/image, you can clip out the background atmosphere (using the alpha-channel as mask), just be sure  not to render infinite planes in the alpha-channel (uncheck in the render options).
Also, the z-channel can be used to fake mist, using it as a mask (maybe enhancing the contrast (autolevels or manually)), and dragging a gradient over it on a separate layer (then adjusting the opacity etc.) .

• Lars "bigbraader"

Also, see if you're having "Volumetric sunlight" checked - if so, try using "No shadow on clouds" instead (in the atmosphere/sky settings).

Be sure to uncheck "autoexposure" in the post render options, and have the atmosphere quality set at 1 or higher.

Lars "bigbraader"

Fantastic work & renders. Just wonderful.

• Lars

Congrats, Artur, it is so well deserved.

• Lars

The latest build (46447) DID IT - much to my surprise (it's not listed in the "fix" list). The buttons are there, and so is the feature when rendered.

Thanks

• Lars "bigbraader"

Hi -
I use Complete 7.4 (build 43145) and I don't have the option of lighting clouds with individual lights (no buttons like the ones in "mazak's" screenshot). But according to e-on this should be an option (at least according to the comparative charts).
Am I the only one with this discrepancy?

• Lars "bigbraader"

Hi -
I use Vue 7 Complete. Latest official build  is 43013, and it works fine - and note that it is the 7.4 update! There's a build 43145 out, but it's still in beta, and I haven't downloaded it.

About the "Check for Update" feature, it has never reported any available updates on my system, even though I tested it (just to test it!) when the 7.4 was actually  out - maybe it simply doesn't work.

• Lars

Yes, it's great after all :)

Also seems I was a little too quick, didn't read properly :)

Oh, while I was preparing my reply, Bruno got there first. :)

Image of the week AND a staff pick?
I'm very honored :)
Thanks!

• Lars "bigbraader"

Well, I got carried away further experimenting and totally forgot that I've promised you the scene as it looks in the previous post. Now it looks like this (see above), almost surreal now. The mats are the same, I've just played around with the metacloud objects.

I haven't been able to upload etc. before now. Real atmospheric phenomena put a stopper to that, as my internet provider's "gateway" hardware was struck by lightning last night :)

And - "eonite" etc. - don't be mistaken: I'm in deep awe over the mastery you've displayed, I just got inspired, started experimenting, and came up with "something".

The scene will be available as soon it is approved, but you can get it here already:

http://www.morkelstedet.dk/Zipfiler/Lenticular_test_1.zip

• some 6 mb. download

Hope you find it useful

• Lars "bigbraader"

Hi - I've followed the various threads about "clouds", function editor etc. with a great deal of interest. Lenticularly about the particular clouds - sorry - the other way around :) and I've come up with "something" I think. I know that the debate has been about cloud layers, but what if you decide to have free choice and positioning of the clouds. That's why I think the metaclouds may of some use, at least :) I did some experiments this afternoon, took photoreferences (Google) and have come up with this. If you like I'll make the metacloud material available in the freestuff section, maybe the whole scene, so you can tear it apart as desired :)

Tell me what you think.

• Lars "bigbraader"

 -continued :)