I'm trying to create a special effect for a model I'm working on.  The material
would be a semi-transparent white stone (with falloff) with micro-crystalline
inclusions that shift color with the angle and perhaps form geometric patterns.

Now, I suppose the color-shifting and the geometric patterns could be controlled
effects, rather than natural by-products of the material, but I'm having trouble
figuring out how to accomplish the desired effect.

It's also possible that I will have to randomly scatter small crystals
throughout the object.

Any input would be appreciated.

A.D.B.

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"Anthony D. Baye" <Sha### [at] spamnomorehotmailcom> wrote:
> I'm trying to create a special effect for a model I'm working on.  The material
> would be a semi-transparent white stone (with falloff) with micro-crystalline
> inclusions that shift color with the angle and perhaps form geometric patterns.

I have a pretty good mental picture of what you're trying to create; I think
I've seen a mineral sample of a similar kind at one of the Smithsonian museums
in Washington, D.C.

The only suggestion I can think of is to check out the irid keyword at "3.5.3.6
Iridescence" in the docs, along with irid_wavelength in global_settings. That
*might* produce the shifting color effect you mention, if applied to a
crystal-like surface.

Ken W.

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Anthony D. Baye wrote:
> inclusions that shift color with the angle and perhaps form geometric patterns.

I suggest a pink panther!

-- 
   Darren New, San Diego CA, USA (PST)
   There's no CD like OCD, there's no CD I knoooow!

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"Anthony D. Baye" <Sha### [at] spamnomorehotmailcom> wrote:
> I'm trying to create a special effect for a model I'm working on.  The material
> would be a semi-transparent white stone (with falloff) with micro-crystalline
> inclusions that shift color with the angle and perhaps form geometric patterns.

Opal comes to my mind from that description. To achieve that, I would scatter
triangles randomly about the thing. Thrown into, say, ten different mesh
objects, each with its own color hue; full transparency, using only variable,
tinted reflection to make them visible.

Or, to avoid high rendering times due to the reflection, use an aoi pattern
(needs MegaPov; alternatively, slope pattern oriented towards camera might do
the trick) to make sure triangles with a shallow angle of incidence get more
prominent; keep the transmit value high though.

Never tried this really. Just a bunch of ideas.

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Anthony D. Baye nous illumina en ce 2009-03-31 04:06 -->
> I'm trying to create a special effect for a model I'm working on.  The material
> would be a semi-transparent white stone (with falloff) with micro-crystalline
> inclusions that shift color with the angle and perhaps form geometric patterns.
> 
> Now, I suppose the color-shifting and the geometric patterns could be controlled
> effects, rather than natural by-products of the material, but I'm having trouble
> figuring out how to accomplish the desired effect.
> 
> It's also possible that I will have to randomly scatter small crystals
> throughout the object.
> 
> Any input would be appreciated.
> 
> A.D.B.
> 
> 
You want reflective speckles in your material. You'll ennd to place them. As 
clipka said, use MANY small triangles randomly rotated and scattered trohough 
your object.  As clipka suggested, you can give those various colours. You can 
also add some irid to them. Be sure that the reflection is not perfect. 
Something like reflection 0.7 should be mostly OK.
You may also try to add some fade_color to your object's material.

-- 
Alain
-------------------------------------------------
Caught Asleep At Your Work Desk

Just in case your boss catches you asleep at your desk, be ready to blurt out 
this excuse #1:  I was working smarter - not harder.

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