Nebula, a ZBrush space scene

[Tag]

http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1002467165pod.jpg
I've seen tons of space images made in different 3D programs and decided to try a ZBrush one.
I made a plane 3d and rendered it with a purple colored fog and an alpha pattern, then baked the layer.
I then added stars using spheres with the glow and color glow material on a new layer.
The planet on the bottom is a shere with noise pattern and another, slightly larger, sphere with the color glow material behind it.
I then rendered the image using a blue colored fog with a different alpha pattern. The whole thing took maybe 45 minutes to do. Hope you find this helpful.

:b4: Edited
I just couldn't resist playing with it some more. I added yet another fog for this one. I think it's finished now.

http://www2.zbrushcentral.com/zbc_uploads/user_image-1002471671nut.jpg

:b4: New Steps
I baked the background layer with the star layer turned off. I seem to get strange artifacts if I bake glow or transparent materials.
Then I made a solid black sphere, and turned on radial symmetry to put thin gray lines on it (like an eyeball, kinda).
I placed this sphere over the yellow globe and used the MRGBZ tool to grab the texture with all other layers turned off.
I deleted that layer when done and rendered the scene using a yellow fog and the new starburst alpha.

[Kathy]

That purple star mass is incredible!

GREAT work. :tu: :D

[juandel]

WOW! somewhere out there this beautiful nebula exists (it just has to, as in an infinite universe there should be infinite vistas, too - juandel-cosmology §1 ;)) and as soon as hubble or its decessors gets hold of it they just have to name it the Tami-nebula... this is an absolutely mindexpanding masterpiece of unseen beauty! i love it :D

- juandel

[Muvlo]

Great image Tag! :tu:
Thanks for sharing tips on how you did it. Great idea of the glow for stars and the fog for that beautiful nebula. That planet it cool too. :tu:
:)

[aurick]

Beautiful nebula! Your method is certainly easier than what I used in Door to Forever. More realistic, too, I think. Nice job!

Regarding baking, I'm surprised that you have trouble when baking glowing objects. But transparent objects do often have trouble, since baking turns them into the Flat Color material (which, of course, is no longer transparent).

[Stargo]

Just beautiful images :tu: :tu: :tu:

_______

Stargo

[rhom]

Yup!I like the second one better-my favorite part the purple nebula has better definition.

[robotalk]

Oh yes it's just how I remember it---when I was young I'd look out the port window--and see that purple.....oh ...wait..UMM...No...I've never been there...Umm --I mean --ahem---a great and beautiful if not UN familiar image to me..as I dont come from there--no I'm actually from this planet --yes..eh hem...I

t's just beautiful tho..incredible work !!

[Zoid]

Hi Tag,

The things that you did to achieve these effects are very inventive and work very well. Thanks for sharing your ideas, I'm going to try them. The glowing stars are realistic and I especially like how you made the glowing planet.

[Stonecutter]

Wonderful work, Tami!!! :tu: :tu: :tu:
That's what makes this place work...
Artistic stretching and the impulse to share.
Thank you for a fine piece!
:tu: :tu: :tu: :D :tu: :tu: :tu:

[Digits]

Love the way you have done the nebulous wisps! Great technique :tu: :tu: :tu:

[Tag]

Thank you all for your kind compliments, and Robo for making me laugh :)

Aurick, I hadn't seen your Doorway to Forever picture before now. It's very nice; I like it. I think maybe a combination of the two techniques may be the way to do space scenes.
The baking seemed to affect the red planet, not the smaller stars. Maybe it has something to do with it being the more transparent glow area, rather than the full object.
I'm glad I could share the technique, Muvlo, Stonecutter and Digits. And Zoid, I'm glad to hear that you're going to try it :) The people here have been so helpful and sharing with their methods. I know I wouldn't be so far along with ZBrush without their help. I'm glad to be able to help out in return.

[Kaz]

Stunning. As much as I have tried, I have not been able to achieve the results you have. Thanks for the tips!