Ego Eram Reputo Posted July 30, 2010 Share Posted July 30, 2010 This plugin has been kicking around for a while, but I've never got around to releasing it. It pretty much automates this technique for creating lightning: http://forums.getpai...post__p__330711 I have to thank @BoltBait for his excellent tutorial on writing plugins (especially part 3!) Here's how it looks: With a little fiddling its possible to create reasonable smoke and all sorts of interesting energy bolts. The downside is that you have to use it over a gradient for the effect to be any good. Comments welcomed. Lightning.zip ebook: Mastering Paint.NET | resources: Plugin Index | Stereogram Tut | proud supporter of Codelab plugins: EER's Plugin Pack | Planetoid | StickMan | WhichSymbol+ | Dr Scott's Markup Renderer | CSV Filetype | dwarf horde plugins: Plugin Browser | ShapeMaker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookies Posted July 30, 2010 Share Posted July 30, 2010 Well, what can i say? This is so much easier and better if you ask me! Good job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbieq25 Posted July 30, 2010 Share Posted July 30, 2010 (edited) EER, thanks for sharing such a great plugin. It's one that does take a bit of thinking & tinkering but the results are well worth it. I have named this image "Lightning EER". I hope to create more with it at a later time. Keen to see how others use it. I agree with Welshy that this will be a boon for spacies esp the nebulae. The top part of the background in this image was created by the same as the bottom part before I ran the Fire render, but I used Madjik's Magnify plugin on it & then used a transparent gradient. Again, thanks ever so much! Edited July 30, 2010 by barbieq25 Knowledge is no burden to carry. April Jones, 2012 Gallery My DA Gallery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisco97 Posted July 30, 2010 Share Posted July 30, 2010 Nice plugin, will be using! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ego Eram Reputo Posted August 1, 2010 Author Share Posted August 1, 2010 Hey guys, thanks for your feedback. So no one is concerned that you have to use it over a gradient? @Cookies suggested I include the gradient in the plugin. A worthy suggestion. However, I like that the gradient tool can be used in many different ways and don't want to overcomplicate the plugin UI to try and mimic all the functions of the gradient tool. @ Welshy & barbieq25: I'd be very keen to see your interpretation of a nebula tutorial using this plugin. Nebulae are a common "how to" request. A joint effort? @barbieq25: Love that pic! ebook: Mastering Paint.NET | resources: Plugin Index | Stereogram Tut | proud supporter of Codelab plugins: EER's Plugin Pack | Planetoid | StickMan | WhichSymbol+ | Dr Scott's Markup Renderer | CSV Filetype | dwarf horde plugins: Plugin Browser | ShapeMaker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbieq25 Posted August 1, 2010 Share Posted August 1, 2010 I'd rather not have a gradients option added to the plugin. In fact I think it would be counter-productive. Not only do gradients work but textures such as Nebulous & Rainbow Twist give great results. The centre was done by using Lightning plugin over Nebulous Texture & Dents. See below: I have tried it on other images & I can tell you it produces some awesome results! It really doesn't need gradients. Experiment. This is a FANTASTIC plugin! EER, if you do add gradients, will there be an option to not have them but to run it the way it is now? Knowledge is no burden to carry. April Jones, 2012 Gallery My DA Gallery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ego Eram Reputo Posted August 2, 2010 Author Share Posted August 2, 2010 I'm going to leave the plugin as it is unless someone finds a problem with it. Thanks for your excellent endorsement ebook: Mastering Paint.NET | resources: Plugin Index | Stereogram Tut | proud supporter of Codelab plugins: EER's Plugin Pack | Planetoid | StickMan | WhichSymbol+ | Dr Scott's Markup Renderer | CSV Filetype | dwarf horde plugins: Plugin Browser | ShapeMaker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbieq25 Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 Thank you EER for an excellent plugin Good to hear it will stay as it is. Knowledge is no burden to carry. April Jones, 2012 Gallery My DA Gallery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbieq25 Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 Hehehe! Nope, I am worse than you! Knowledge is no burden to carry. April Jones, 2012 Gallery My DA Gallery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadJik Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 Good Job, fast rendering also ! As the lightning is based on the average part of the gradient, you could perhaps simulate it in the calculation and just provide a angle chooser and a slider for the width... and a checkbox to choose to simulate or use the existing picture. (just an idea...) My DeviantArt | My Pictorium | My Plugins | Donate via Paypal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ego Eram Reputo Posted August 3, 2010 Author Share Posted August 3, 2010 Good Job, fast rendering also ! Ooooh! A top level endorsement. Thank you As the lightning is based on the average part of the gradient, you could perhaps simulate it in the calculation and just provide a angle chooser and a slider for the width... and a checkbox to choose to simulate or use the existing picture. If it were just a linear gradient I'd seriously consider this, but the problem becomes more difficult when we consider conical, diamond and radial gradients could also be used as a base to this effect. I'll PM you the codelab source if you want to have a look? ebook: Mastering Paint.NET | resources: Plugin Index | Stereogram Tut | proud supporter of Codelab plugins: EER's Plugin Pack | Planetoid | StickMan | WhichSymbol+ | Dr Scott's Markup Renderer | CSV Filetype | dwarf horde plugins: Plugin Browser | ShapeMaker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ego Eram Reputo Posted August 4, 2010 Author Share Posted August 4, 2010 Note to all: @Cookies and myself are working on a new version with a built-in gradient (option). We'll report back when we have something up and running. ebook: Mastering Paint.NET | resources: Plugin Index | Stereogram Tut | proud supporter of Codelab plugins: EER's Plugin Pack | Planetoid | StickMan | WhichSymbol+ | Dr Scott's Markup Renderer | CSV Filetype | dwarf horde plugins: Plugin Browser | ShapeMaker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance McKnight Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 I have a question. Would it be possible to add a x and y coordinate to move the lightning bolt around instead of a static position? It looks like a very promising plug-in, something I may use in a project I'm currently working on, and this will come in handy. Officially retired from this forum. Have a nice day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ego Eram Reputo Posted August 10, 2010 Author Share Posted August 10, 2010 Yes this feature is being explored (with many others too!). Also is the option to use an existing gradient or have the plugin generate one for you. @Cookies is doing all the hard work - but I feel we're making excellent progress on the plugin. ebook: Mastering Paint.NET | resources: Plugin Index | Stereogram Tut | proud supporter of Codelab plugins: EER's Plugin Pack | Planetoid | StickMan | WhichSymbol+ | Dr Scott's Markup Renderer | CSV Filetype | dwarf horde plugins: Plugin Browser | ShapeMaker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedFalcon Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 Thanks for the plugin. Definitely gonna use it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ego Eram Reputo Posted August 29, 2010 Author Share Posted August 29, 2010 Cookies has released his new version of this effect. Get it here: Lightning - by cookies ebook: Mastering Paint.NET | resources: Plugin Index | Stereogram Tut | proud supporter of Codelab plugins: EER's Plugin Pack | Planetoid | StickMan | WhichSymbol+ | Dr Scott's Markup Renderer | CSV Filetype | dwarf horde plugins: Plugin Browser | ShapeMaker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pyrochild Posted August 29, 2010 Share Posted August 29, 2010 If Cookies' version supersedes this one, there's no reason for this one to stay open Closed ambigram signature by Kemaru [i write plugins and stuff] If you like a post, upvote it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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