Always searching for

[Lin Evans]

animation improvements. This, one of my earlier rain animations, has lightning strikes but something was missing which I "think" I have corrected. Lightning takes on many forms (polymorphic) where at times there are few, if any, cloud effects such as increased brightness surrounding the bolt. At other times there is a wide area around the cloud which is strongly illuminated. After studying a number of lightning strike photos, I added a new one with cloud illumination.

Any thoughts???

http://www.learntomakeslideshows.net/sample/firestarter.zip

Best regards,

Lin

[quietstorm]

Lin..

Very impressive. Again I wish I had the talent you have!

I always enjoy what you have done for animations.

Keep up the awesome work

Bart

btw..

Was that your private jet?

Glad it got out of the way before the lightning!

[LumenLux]

Lightning takes on many forms (polymorphic) where at times there are few, if any, cloud effects such as increased brightness surrounding the bolt. At other times there is a wide area around the cloud which is strongly illuminated. After studying a number of lightning strike photos, I added a new one with cloud illumination.

Any thoughts???

http://www.learntomakeslideshows.net/sample/firestarter.zip

Best regards,

Lin

Though both (with and without cloud effects) are "technically" realistic - I find my own perception reacts to the cloud affected versions as being more natural/realistic. This is my "gut reaction", not a case presentation.

In your example and in your single-slide-eye-of-coming-storm, the lightning (cloud) effect still seems more natural, even in the rather un-natural picture. Obviously all your effects are very well accomplished.

[Lin Evans]

Hi Robert,

Yes, I think the general perception is that backlight in the clouds and the "flash" effect from rather close lightning strikes gives more "realism". The composite image was created to more or less "spotlight" this effect. In reality, there seem to be many more lightning strike images where there is little or no cloud backlighting than with, but not as impressive and perhaps not evoking as much perception of "realism"

Thanks much for the feedback,

Best regards,

Lin

Though both (with and without cloud effects) are "technically" realistic - I find my own perception reacts to the cloud affected versions as being more natural/realistic. This is my "gut reaction", not a case presentation.

In your example and in your single-slide-eye-of-coming-storm, the lightning (cloud) effect still seems more natural, even in the rather un-natural picture. Obviously all your effects are very well accomplished.

[Lin Evans]

Hi Bart,

Thanks for the comments! Actually, it's an iterative process to try to evoke more realism in the animation process. Though PTE is actually not designed as an animation software it lends itself to some creative things very nicely I think. Dominic (theDom) has gone above and beyond in creativity with some amazing ways of using PTE. I can't wait to see what he does with the soon to be released 5.6 version and the new masking capabilities.

Yes, my own private jet! I commandeered it specifically to fly past my window in weather no sane pilot would attempt so we gave the crew the day off and flew it by remote control! LOL...

Best regards,

Lin

Lin..

Very impressive. Again I wish I had the talent you have!

I always enjoy what you have done for animations.

Keep up the awesome work

Bart

btw..

Was that your private jet?

Glad it got out of the way before the lightning!