Nebulas
Lesson 3 of 11 Planets & Stars
This lesson will teach you to create nebulas and space dust using both 2D and 3D techniques.
Simple Space Dust Homework
Create some simple space dust in Photoshop by experimenting with various cloud textures. Try adding a layer of stars as well, to contextualize the scene.
Note: The photopacks Gabriel used in this lesson can be found in the Lesson 1 downloadable files.
2D Nebula Homework
Create your own nebula using purely 2D techniques. Make sure to experiment with shape and color.
For Beginner Students: Use a photograph of a real nebula as reference, and create a nebula inspired by (but not identical to) that image.
For Advanced Students: Create an entirely new nebula from scratch. This will involve much more trial and error, so don’t be discouraged if you need to spend a bit more time to get it right!
3D Nebula Homework
Create a nebula using 3D techniques, rendering out multiple configurations and blending them all together in one final paintover.
Student Homework
Lesson 1
Understanding Space
In this lesson, you will explore real scientific reference to learn how each type of planet, star, asteroid, nebula and more works. At the end of this lesson, you will create your own star field artwork.
- 4 hours 24 minutesTotal Lesson Duration
- 28 VideosVideo Lectures in this Lesson
- Project FilesDownloadable Project Files
Guidance
Introduction
Gabriel's Journey
Choosing a Direction
Understanding Space
Reference
The Mechanics of Space
Simple Star Fields
Conclusion
Lesson 2
3D Software Crash Courses
In this optional lesson, Gabriel teaches all his techniques and workflows for Blender and Octane, as well as his process in extracting height maps from planetary images.
- 4 hours 28 minutesTotal Lesson Duration
- 32 VideosVideo Lectures in this Lesson
- Project FilesDownloadable Project Files
Guidance
Introduction
Blender Crash Course
Octane Render Crash Course
- Octane Render Crash Course Intro01:03
- Octane Settings05:29
- UI, Navigation & Basics10:34
- Render Viewport Icons19:54
- Cameras07:33
- Environment Light11:28
- Film Settings01:28
- Kernel14:58
- Render AOVs14:28
- Imager01:48
- Post-Processing01:52
- Material Nodes14:45
- Adding Textures17:43
- Multiply, Add, Mix Nodes09:18
- Composite Texture Node06:07
- Lights09:34
- Object Layer Map Node10:19
- Octane Render Crash Course Outro02:04
Extracting Displacement Maps
Lesson 3
this lessonNebulas
This lesson will teach you to create nebulas and space dust using both 2D and 3D techniques.
- 3 hours 6 minutesTotal Lesson Duration
- 15 VideosVideo Lectures in this Lesson
Guidance
Introduction
Preparation
Simple Space Dust
Working from a Reference Nebula
Create a 2D Nebula From Scratch
Create a Nebula Using 3D
Lesson 4
Suns
In this lesson, you will learn to create suns, along with all the various visual effects needed to add surface storms, hot spots and more.
- 1 hour 18 minutesTotal Lesson Duration
- 9 VideosVideo Lectures in this Lesson
Guidance
Introduction
Preparation
Sun Creation
Post-Production
Conclusion
Lesson 5
Planet Creation Essentials
You will now learn to create your own planets in both 2D and 3D. These techniques will lay the groundwork for upcoming lessons which deal with more specific planet types.
- 4 hours 8 minutesTotal Lesson Duration
- 26 VideosVideo Lectures in this Lesson
Guidance
Introduction
Preparation
Creating a Planet in 2D
Creating a Moon
Creating a Planet in 3D
City Lights
Earth-Like Planets
Lesson 6
Gas Giants
In this lesson you will learn to create your own gas giants, using unexpected texture combinations.
- 48 minutesTotal Lesson Duration
- 6 VideosVideo Lectures in this Lesson
Guidance
Introduction
Preparation
Pollen Texture Gas Giant
Food Coloring Texture Gas Giant
Conclusion
Lesson 7
Close-Up Planet Views
Learn to create different kinds of planets in a view closer to the surface, as if seen from orbit.
- 3 hours 51 minutesTotal Lesson Duration
- 20 VideosVideo Lectures in this Lesson
Guidance
Introduction
Preparation
Close-Up Gas Giant
Close-Up Water Planet
Close-Up Earth-Like Planet
Conclusion
Lesson 8
Ice Planets
Learn to use displacement maps by creating your own ice planet. These techniques will lay the groundwork for upcoming lessons as well.
- 1 hour 53 minutesTotal Lesson Duration
- 10 VideosVideo Lectures in this Lesson
Guidance
Introduction
Displacement Maps
Adding Details
Paintover
Lesson 9
Asteroids
In this lesson you’ll learn to create asteroids in both 2D and 3D, as well as large-scale asteroid fields.
- 4 hours 42 minutesTotal Lesson Duration
- 29 VideosVideo Lectures in this Lesson
- Project FilesDownloadable Project Files
Guidance
Introduction
Basic Asteroid Techniques
Asteroid Clusters
Sculpting Asteroids
Prepping for Octane
Asteroid Material
Asteroid Iterations
Single Asteroid Paintover
Asteroid Cluster Scene
Conclusion
Lesson 10
Planet Rings
Create planetary rings using both 2D and 3D workflows, which can be applied to any kind of planet you choose.
- 1 hour 37 minutesTotal Lesson Duration
- 10 VideosVideo Lectures in this Lesson
Guidance
Introduction
Preparation
Planet Rings Texture
2D Planet Rings
3D Planet Rings
Conclusion
Lesson 11
Destroyed Planets
In this lesson you will learn to depict a planet mid-destruction, combining all the techniques used in the previous lessons and putting your skills to the test.
- 4 hours 51 minutesTotal Lesson Duration
- 17 VideosVideo Lectures in this Lesson
Guidance
Introduction
Three Creation Methods
Creating a Destroyed Planet
Materials
Paintover
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