The following is a screenshot of my example scene in LightWave Layout.

The following image is the result, when my example scene is rendered in LightWave Layout. Is something missing?

There are three main ways to create sky in LightWave Layout. You can either use a 2-D image as the backdrop, use procedural textures, or use the SkyTracer2 feature in LightWave.The following image is the result when my example scene is rendered in LightWave Layout with a 2-D backdrop. Not very realistic is it?




The next image is an example of the result when an image is rendered in LightWave Layout using procedural textures. I found this process to be more difficult and not as realistic as SkyTracer2. If you would like to visit the procedural tutorial site that I referenced, CLICK HERE for Tony's Lightwave 3D Tutorials






The next image is an example of the result when an image is rendered in LightWave Layout using the SkyTracer2 feature. It is easy to use and it looks great!




In order to use SkyTracer2, you must enlist the following steps:

STEP ONE - Using SkyTracer2:

Select Scene> Effects> Backdrop
Make sure the Gradient Backdrop box is selected
Select Add Environment> Select SkyTracer 2 from the menu.
Make sure a check mark indicates that SkyTracer 2 is on.
Adjust the color variance and the sky gradient color by clicking on the small colored boxes
Then select the color tones.
Double click on SkyTracer 2 to bring up its settings.

In order to make your scene similar to my example scene, make sure you follow the settings in the screen shot settings boxes.




STEP TWO - Atmosphere Settings:

In the SkyTracer 2 settings select the Atmosphere tab. Here you can adjust the thickness, luminosity, opacity, and fall off of the atmosphere.You can also adjust the planet radius and the atmosphere quality. In this example, I changed the quality to Medium, and kept the planet radius at the Earth setting. Remember, though, the higher the quality the higher the render time!

In the SkyTracer 2 settings under the Atmosphere tab, select Haze. Here you can adjust the thickness, luminosity, opacity, and fall off of the haze of the atmosphere. You can also adjust the quality. In this example, I changed the quality to Medium.




The following image is the rendered result of these atmosphere and haze settings on my example scene.



STEP THREE - Cloud Settings:

In the SkyTracer 2 settings select the Clouds tab, then select Low Altitude Clouds.

Make sure the Enable Clouds box is checked. Here you can adjust the altitude, density, luminosity, opacity, contrast, shadow strength, and ambient light of the low altitude clouds. You can also adjust the quality, and whether you would like the low altitude clouds to be volumetrically baked onto the image. In this example, I changed the quality to Medium, and since volumetric rendering adds to the realism, I made sure its box was checked.



Select the high altitude clouds tab, and use the same method to change the settings.



The following image is the rendered result of these low and high altitude cloud settings on my example scene.



STEP FOUR - Sun Settings:

In the SkyTracer 2 settings select the Suns tab, then select Sun 1. Here you can choose which specific light you would like to use as the sun. For instance, you can either use the SKT-Sun that is created when you turn on SkyTracer, or you can use other lights from your scene. You can also select the size, flare intensity, flare boost, number of streaks, and the amount of color shift.

If you want a second sun, you can click on the Sun 2 tab, select a light, and change the settings accordingly.



You can also change the sun type to a moon, by clicking on type in the Sun 1 settings. This also works for Sun 2 if you have it active.



The following image is the rendered result of these moon settings on my example scene.



STEP FIVE - Sun Position Settings

You can also change the sun or moons position, by clicking on the sun position tab at the bottom of the Sun 1 or Sun 2 settings box.

The SunSpot settings box will pop up, and you can select the distance of your sun from your scene. You can also select a specific calendar date for your scene by changing the year, month, day, hour, minute, and second settings. You can use the time lapse setting for time change in animated scenes. You can also select a specific preset location for your scene, such as San Francisco, or you can choose your own latitude, longitude, and time zone.

The following image is the rendered result of these moon settings on my example scene.



In this Example, I kept the sun distance the same, however, I changed the day to April 22, 2003, and the time to 5 PM. I also selected the preset location of Honolulu, Hawaii.



The following image is the rendered result of these sun position settings on my example scene.



STEP SIX - Render Options

In order to create a bit more realism, you can also turn on specific render options.

For this example, I turned on the Ray Trace Shadows option, in order for my scene to have more realistic shadows.

Select Render from the top of the left side menu in Layout> select Render Options> select the box next to Ray Trace Shadows and close the settings box.

Render



Voila! The following image is the rendered finished result of all of the above settings.




Links to my Resources (Click on the link name to go to the site):

TUTORIALS:

CG Focus: LightWave SkyTracer 2 for Dummies

Creating Environments in LightWave using Sasquatch and SkyTracer from Newtek

Sky and Landscape: Tony’s LightWave 3D Tutorials

SkyTracer 2 Product Info from Newtek


IMAGES:

Black Bullets

Background and Logos

LightWave Object File of Cartoon Man