It's Full Of Stars! (Zscript for drawing a star background)

[WingedOne]

Here's a ZScript based on the ZScript I wrote to create the background for my SpaceStation image (see page 2 of http://www.pixolator.com/zbc-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=006253). (http://www.pixolator.com/zbc-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=006253) I added a couple of enhancements, a slider to specify the number of stars and a slider to specify the size of the star (thanks to Davey's ZScripting lessons). The ZScript also creates a new layer to draw the stars on, so it won't overwrite anything that was already put on another layer.

Hope you like it. :)

Updated with Muvlo's improvement to make it run faster.

Stars.txt (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1024592598dby.txt)

[thelonious]

I'm disappointed I thought the objects would be star shaped.

Was the title of the post a reference to 2001?

[Muvlo]

Thanks for the ZScript WingedOne. :)

Actually Thel, you could use a Star Tool instead of Sphere3D. But look outside-- stars aren't star shaped. ;)

[WingedOne]

The script was meant for realistic stars, rather than star-shaped stars. :)

However, I'll probably be writing an updated version that add the ability to do stars with a flare effect as well by using custom alphas.

And yes, the thread title was a 2001/2010 reference. :)

The size slider is mainly for the benefit of those working on very large canvases because a size 1 star is liable to disappear when the image is sized down to a smaller size.

I originally wrote it as a utility for myself because I grew weary of going "poke, poke, poke..." to my drawing tablet for over an hour. :)

[Muvlo]

WingedOne, I was looking at your script, and there is a way you could change it to make it go faster. In my test, (with 2000 stars) I found the script took (on my machine) 45 seconds. By using this small update, only 20 seconds. WingedOne'sStarsUpdated (http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_file-1024592127bse.txt)

It works by drawing the star only once, then snapshoting after each [TransformSet...]. :)

[WingedOne]

Thanks for the update, Muvlo. :tu: I updated the link in my post to include your addition.

[thelonious]

Gears and polymeshes, much more like what I see when I look at the sky ;) Thanks for the tip Mulvo

http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1024593846igp.jpg

[Flycatcher]

THAT's what you see in the sky??? You been dropping acid, Thelonius? ;)

[Kevin]

Thanks for the star zscript, wingedone.

Kevin

[chrisd]

thelonious - Nice feeling of depth.

WingedOne - "...it's full of stars!"
An homage to the sci-fi master Arthur C. Clarke perhaps?
:)

[chrisd]

A bit too hasty with my post... just read the previous posting about the 2001 reference. :D