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alyn — Advanced planet creation
Published: 2004-10-31 16:17:57 +0000 UTC; Views: 153655; Favourites: 1495; Downloads: 67728
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Description
My next big project unveiled, and something for the watchers.I get about at least a note a day asking me how I create planets, that mostly brought on by Icarus's Wish. There's only so many times you can redirect people to Greg Martin's and Dinyctis's tutorials before thinking, "can't I show them my own way?". Greg Martin's Capturing Heaven tutorial gave me the kick up the arse I needed. His profound words relating to the complexity of planets, and how they're simply not given enough love in their creation for the majority of artists stirred me, and hence I've written this.
Every page comes with a snippet of science theory behind it, from my on meagre understanding of the subject (I've tried to ensure that I know at least a bit about what I'm preaching, please inform me of any mistakes and if you are correcting me, make sure you're correct too). Knowing the subject definitely helps you on the way to bettering your techniques.
Every page also comes with some related links to other tutorials on the subject, and some general tips to help you and give you ideas.
Contents -
Index -> Texture construction and introduction
Application -> Texture application
Lighting -> Planet lighting techniques and styles
Clouds -> Cloud creation and ideas.
Rings -> Planet rings
City lights -> City light ideas
Conclusion -> integration of your planet and conclusion.
7 Pages packed with info, spread over 3 weeks of drafting, writing, refining.
Even if you're pretty confident with your abilities in space art, I urge you to at least give it a runthrough. Why? you might learn something, little tricks and tips that you hadn't thought of.
Advanced critique encouraged, why? - if you think something could be improved in its wording or anything in any way... incorrect info or whatever, then go for it. Don't try and rewrite the techniques, but feel free to offer helpful suggestions, I'm all ears.
this will be available on the web sometime in the very near future, just sorting out with some very kind volunteers some hosting arrangements.
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Tutorial now online, but please read the notice above the links.
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Comments: 234
Oh my god man! You`re greate in this job
Can I use this tutorial ??
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I will let you hear my advanced critique after I began my physics studies *lol*
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We Need More artists like you to help others instead of keeping everything to themselves....Thanks for the guide. Im downloading right now!
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Bajesus so complicated i mean im no n00b to ps nemore but man i was confused @.@ very good tut though very intricate n detailed 5 stars!!
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Just what i was looking for ill 
thanks!
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I read the tutorial. It was very well done. I have just one question. When you spherize the texture, the center gets a bit pixelated and blurry because it is enlarged. Is there any way to prevent this, other than making the picture smaller after spherizing?
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I downloaded this tutorial the other day and my WINZIP said it was damaged and could not be opened. I hope it works this time cause this looks like a killer planet tutorial.
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Seems like a really really good tutorial, I shall try it out strait away when it's downloaded.
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i think that one of the most important aspects of creating a decent planet is the texture
The part in "texture creation" where you say
"to avoid dragging this out to unnecessary levels of detail, I'll show a buildup example, and some finished examples"
and then you show a series of steps showing the texture become intencely awesome BUT u say absolutely nothing about how the hell you did that- "unnecessary levels of detail" arent needed to give at least some hint of how you made these massive realistic detailed endlessly varying surface features.. I mean did you use custom brushes? other textures? could have at least said that. infact, if i knew how to do that i probaby wouldnt even have d/l the tutorial. A lot of people who make tutorials would say that these are just guides to give an idea of your own, but i already have the idea and its the ability to put my imagination to work that i need help with.
The rest of the the tutorial is really nice and i c a lot of efort was prolly put into it, but a lot of the parts to do with the planet rely on having a good texture and thats the part wich had no proper hints.
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Desaturate everything when texturising.
- Don't let your texture get too dense/dark, it becomes more difficult to manage, and later, colour.
- Use the same texture twice if you want, just make sure you rotate, flip, distort... change the appearance so people can't see that.
- Apply textures to brushes and brush your texture if you want, if you are more comfortable with this approach.
- Paint details if you want, there is no limit, add in your own details with your brushing skills. It's completely up to you deep you wish to go.
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October 31? How is it that I missed this? Salutations, my friend.
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This comment and fav will be drowned out by the othr 100 or so, but thank you, you really are a wonderful artist, and it is wonderful that you share your techniques.
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muchos love
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Nicely done. Your method of coloring is definatly something different.. I gave it a go and was beginning to see it's possible benefits and I now understand how you're able to get such depth in your planet surfaces. However, that particular process is very time consuming, and time is something I lack in a big way. Really wish I had the time to sit down and do a personal project, but between clients, work and school.... rawr! The last celestial scene I was able to sit down and attempt got lost in a system crash, and sadly all I have left of it are low resolution jpeg images. This little article has kinda re-sparked a drive to try and start back up again.
The only true downer of the article that I found was that, it left you wanting more. It's seems like a mix between a discussion and a tutorial but, can't truly decide which one it wants to be. I appreciate how you credited all the artisits that inspired your techniques, a rarity to see that now days sadly. Good luck in the future, and I really look forward to seeing more of your work.
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Thank you so very much... I downloaded this when you posted it, but never got around to reading it till just now. It seems like alot to take in for a PS nub like myself. But I will practice and come back and link you because this opened it up for me so much. Thank you so much again!
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This looks awesome. and perhaps the single most useful tutorial i've seen.
I haven't had a chance to run through it all yet, but you can a much more detailed critique when i've finished it.
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well alyn, finally found the time to read this fantastic tutorial, and wanted to thank you for it.
I've been really frustrated in space art recently, trying a lot, and always throwing away my planets again, because they looked crappy, and I actually felt like stepping backwards.
your tutorial, even if not everything was new to me, is rising my motivation again, and I hope to do some space art again soon, maybe after finishing my current 3d projects.
thanks again for giving insight!
dan *waves*
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i'm gonna i've you a slightly more detailed comment than my first
the thing that really stands out to me and has been of great help was the texture part. a real, detailed guide on building up the texture of a planet helped me out so much. showing the subtleties of layer upon layer of texture creating a realism that's just unbelievable. this is the first tutorial to give a real idea of texture creation, and i supose that's why i'm so greatful for it. it's given me ideas and help that i've needed for so long and just haven't found.
of course it's not just the texture part, it's the whole thing. every section provides new insight onto common features of space scenes which have been so abused by so many artists. for example your city lights section teaches how to create something of realism rather than a stupid aray of dots.
the thing however that separates this from ther tutorials is the way it's written. you say how it was inspired by 'Capturing Heaven' and one can tell this from the style in which it is written. you mention at the end how you hope it isn't whored and abused, but i think you've guarded against this in the way it was written. it's more of an in depth study than a step by step copy me exactly tutorial, which means this will benefit the art community, without seeing exact copies fo the finished product everywhere.
thankyou so much
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*drools ALL over it*
An amazing thing to do hun..
well-well done!!
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first two words: THE BEST 
next two words: THANK YOU
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My planet looks awesome, but I think the Planet Lightning page is a bit vague. I don't really know which layer to use at the crescent light shadowing. Maybe it's beacause I'm not English.
I must say, this tutorial is great! I'm already in love with my planet, and I've only just finished the texture
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WRF what a nice gallerie 
have you t'is tutorial int french l o l.?
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It's considerably commendable of you to share your gift of art with others! Brilliant, man. Downloading right now. I'm not sure how else to do justice in thanking you but to say so from my heart.
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I LOVE YOU!
I've been fiddling with planets for awhile...but this is amazing....
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Wow, I am downloading it right now. Freaking dial up, But I will post my results in my portfolio. DO you have an 88 by 31 button, if so I would love to put it on my site. And, I don't really think there is a need for advanced critique. Who can do better?
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Ello, I've been gonig through your tutorial, I got to the texture aplication, and I think I farxed. When every I apply the texture it looks really 2d and blurry, it dosnt look anything near what was in you tutorial as examples. I followed the steps, I found a planet satelite image, I think it was venus, and fixed some of the exposed areas, then popped it onto my planet file. When I sphereised it, it look like crap. Any suggestion?
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excellent guide man...it shows a heavy thought process which shows that you put obvious great care into your art. thanks for providing this
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when i open the web file i cant c the pictures, IM FREAKIN OUT, oh no, i think its the end of Earth, please help
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Thank you soooo much!!! I'm sure to find some inspiration and helpful hints! So when are you gonna make a basic Nebulae Tutorial? You'd be the first, cuz no one else has one that I'm aware of, and I haven't the slightest idea of how to begin creating nebulae. Thanks a million!
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to give you a more detailed comment than my first, and after reading the guide, the best thing is the texture sections. giving examples of how to blend textures, making a big thing of bump mapping for the first time and showing people who have struggled for so long how to make realistic landscapes, even if only simply was brilliant. this is truly the most outstanding resource i've ever seen alyn.
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Gorgeous tutorial dude. When I finish reading and find the errors I'll note you. Gorgeous man, will help a lot of people and stop making the new artists using the Greg Martin's planet texture from his tutorial 
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I open the HTML files but none of the pictures show up?? =//
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yey!!!! lets all make planets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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