3D earth with rings

[Lionel Tabris]

The earth with rings, this is my first 3d model.

The .max files and the 3ds file will be available on request.

 

[candle]

I dont see whats so special about this. its just two plastic spheres with textures and a flat cylinder with the middle cut out. Oh, and there's bad lighting too. try searching for information about 3-point lighting. right now you only have the key light. you're missing the back and fill lights. Proper lighting can really help 3d models from looking like plastic.

 

[Lionel Tabris]

Like this?

 

[candle]

that's a little better, but your tertiary light (fill) is too strong, and i see no backlight. this explains what 3-point lighting is, and here is a simple tutorial.

 

[OrbitDuke]

I really do not like the ring.Lighting issues aside, the ring is just...out of place.Mostly because of the lack of texture, and opacity. The ring isn't just a slab of gray, it's asteroids and other space matter caught in the orbit, right?

Also, the lack of atmosphere on the earth is unsettling. Have you ever made planets in a program like photoshop? It is SUPER simple and easy to do, and you can get fantastic results without having to worry using a 3d tool.
And I don't think you need a 3d tool, unless for some reason you really wanted it, I guess.

 

[Lionel Tabris]

I used a 1(fill):2(dim back-lights).
I tried to put an atmosphere on earth.The rings are now transparent.

 

[candle]

that is much better, but lower the intensity of the back light on the Earth as in this instance you only want to separate it from the background, not actually light it.

 

[Lionel Tabris]

Now I Used 4 point lighting:

Spoiler: Example