Sea Surface

 

 

DreamScape's Sea Surface is a procedural grid object that has wave motion built into it, so that all you have to do is drag out a grid to your desired size in order to get a water surface. Beyond just a simple primitive object, the Sea Surface is only part of a very complex suite of tools designed specifically to create all kinds of water based surfaces, from stormy oceans and seas, to placid lakes and ponds and much more.

 

 

This module also includes an enhanced DreamScape: SeaMaterial which is capable of rendering very realistic sea surfaces that includes foam and accurate reflections and refractions.

 

The DreamScape: Sea Bump and DreamScape: Sea Foam texture maps are included to extract data from the Sea Surface grid object and render accurate wave and foam effects. While these two map types can be used independently, you should use both maps with the DreamScape: SeaMaterial for maximum effect.

 

Additionally, with the DreamScape: SubSurface environment plug-in, you can even create the illusion of underwater attenuation so that as objects submerge into the water, they will disappear as they go further down.

 

Finally there are two Daemons and one Space Warp that can be applied to the Sea Surface grid to create truly unique animation. The Simple Waves Daemon allows you to create deep water swells over and above the built-in wave animation that the Sea Surface supports. Plus, the Dynamics Daemon gives you a whole new level of object / water interactions including wakes, objects that can float in the water and much more. Finally, the Engine Space Warp allows you to propel objects through the water with the appropriate wakes and foam trails.

 

The Sea Surface object has the capability to create field-of-view (FOV) based meshes. This makes it possible to render large sea surfaces with low RAM consumption. You can also use Sea Surface to create realistic water patterns and motion based on oceanographic studies and observations.

 

 

Creating a DreamScape Sea Surface

The DreamScape Sea Surface module exists within the Create command panel, under the dropdown list heading of DreamScape Objects.

 

 

Clicking on the Sea Surface button, and then in any viewport, drag out the Sea Surface grid to the desired size.

 

Sea Surface (slightly modified from default)

 

Once done, you will have a Sea Surface that has naval dynamics built into it, and is ready for animation. In fact, if you scrub the Time Slider, you'll see that the Sea Surface mesh already is animated!

 

Note: It is worth noting that in order for the DreamScape Sea Surface object to be rendered when using the DreamScape: SeaMaterial material type, you MUST have at least one DreamScape: Sun light type present in the scene.

 

Plus, if you want to have foam visible on the crests of the waves that are created, you need to make sure you have a DreamScape: Sky atmospheric within your scene as well.