I'm trying to do a 'space scene in bryce and was going to use a cool photoshop plugin that does a better job then Bryce for doing space backgrounds at flamingpear.com. What is the easiest way to merge the two scenes, (one done in PS the other in Bryce).

actually if i might suggest something better, try to use Universe Image Creator. Either way, what you'd have to do is to render your scene, export it as a psd file, then render the same scene with an object mask (don't forget to have all your models and what not selected -ctrl-a or whatever) and export it as well. then just import them alltogether in Photoshop. then just use the selection tool to cut off the black parts, and if you have the following layer setup, it should work:

object mask scene (make it invisible after making the selection)

original bryce scene (select it and delete the selection from it)

space background (it should fill all the empty parts.

ta-daa

drac

Message edited on: 07/27/2004 10:00

Ok render your scene in Bryce, then making sure all the objects in your scene are selected choose object mask form the file dropdown menu and click render. You should now have something as you see above. In photoshop open a new fileand drag the original bryce render and the black and white version on as a layer so that both match each other. Then open your plug in file background you want to use and drag that on as well. Select the object mask layer and using the magic wand tool select the black areas. Switch to the original Bryce render layer and use ctrl x to cut out the areas you don't want. Discard the object mask layer and you should get the result you want

JINX!

Thank you all so much!

oh..Universe can be downloaded from Diard software, should show up in a Google search, especially with 'universe'..;)

Bryce itself provides the easiest, most adaptable and most accurate way to combine the elements. - create a 2D Face Vertical - place your background image on it (use only the ambient channel and set ambience to 100%) - disable cast shadows on 2D Face Vertical - resize the 2D Face Vertical to suit the dimension ratio of the background image - position and scale 2D Face Vertical behind foreground object/s and to fill the frame - render as normal With this method it is quick and easy to fine tune the position of the foreground objects and adjust lighting, etc. Because shadows are disabled on the 2D Face Vertical, you can place a background light to match any light source in the background image. The edges of the foreground object/s are instantly perfect with no problems from selection tools, etc. Seeing the result is as quick as seeing the render.

oh..that just sucks I just posted a pic that I had to redo because of shadows..sigh..well, lessons learned..;)

For every space scene that I've done I've used the same method that PJF suggests. It works well for skies, and it works well for space.

another method I've used (quick peek to make sure noone's mentioned it..;) but didn't invent (someone told me)..create a really big sphere, texture with a star background (or nebulae), put ship and a light inside..and the camera too..works on occasion. To be honest, nowadays I just delete the ground plane, and set the background to 'starfield'..;)