Space art for Traveller background shots

[Shonner]

For those that create computer art using a Traveller theme, what software do you use to render your planets with? I'm looking for ways to make background space shots that I can put my 3D mesh starships in front of.

I don't have any ships made yet, because I thought I'd work on creating a believable background first.

 

[Border Reiver]

I use a pair if photoshop plugins; lunarcell and glitterato. These produce nice 2d backdrops to put your model in front of.

 

[Border Reiver]

Failing that, anything from vue to carrara, daz|studio to 3ds max can produce what your looking for. But photoshop is easiest.

 

[robject]

I'll second LunarCell; it's excellent for fractal worlds. And I use it as a plugin to Paint Shop Pro, the poor man's version of Photoshop (as in $100 new, or $5 used).

 

[Andrew Boulton]

Yeah, Lunarcell is great. It'll generate a 2d image, or you can save the layers and use them in a 3d app.

http://www.flamingpear.com/lunarcell.html

 

[Shonner]

I'll get their Space Bundle pack. I tried using Carrara but it doesn't do planets very well. Last night I tried Vue and it looked real enough. I think I have something now that my future Azhanti High Lightning can orbit. Next I'll try Lunarcell. Thanks for the info.

 

[Scarecrow]

I've been using this guy's Stars and Planet method for years now (it's what I used on my Regina map).

www.designshard.com

He has a load of new tutorials up there now, worth a look.

Crow

 

[Shonner]

This guy is pretty quick at doing space art paintings. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mzl4vrjPEiM He's probably practiced though.