earth-like cloud effect

[jerry533482]

Does anyone here have any recommendations or know of a tutorial that explains how to make an earth-like cloud effect? I'm trying to make a realistic picture of the planet. I'm pretty much on board with the textures and blurs, but i never know how to make a selection to fill in that looks like real, Terran clouds. Anyone got any ideas?

If I'm not being specific enough, feel free to ask more about this topic.

[Lance McKnight]

Jerry, look for a cloud plugin written by a user named Specot. It is close to how you can make realistic cloud. It's in the plugin section.

Edit: Gave link for you.

Edit 2: Also, when making cloud for planets, don't use S3D because it will make it look flat, instead use either bulge or lens and select the planet's layer for the selection, and delete outside the circle of the cloud. Then you'll have to experiment on how realistic you want. Many layers = realism.

[jerry533482]

Thanks, Lance McKnight. I've tried the plugin, and it works beautifully. It's far more useful than PDN's default cloud effect(for these kind of pics only, of course), and it deserves more attention than it gets.

A piece of advice for paint.net users, if you want some cool effects, use this plugin in 3D. Like if you're trying to make a sky, use layer rotate/zoom for a realistic effect, and if you want clouds for your planets, use shape3D on the clouds and pull that over the planet. It has some nice results.

[yellowman]

Agree with Lance about Shape 3D, but in my experience, the best way to cover a planet with the cloud layer is by using Shape 3D with these settings on a White cloud layer::

Choose Cylinder Shape

Texture Map > Plane Map (scalable) > uncheck Body and bottom

Cylinder End >Top > Ball

Object Rotation > Axis-1 =90 , Axis 2 and 3 = 0

Projection > just play with Camera setting till you get the desired effect

Lighting > keep it On and change the Direction as you liking

Leave other on default