Playing with random coastal techniques

[RobA]

I have been working at getting nicer looking coastlines in GIMP.

Here is my latest experiment:
coast_test.png

This consisted of a lower layer started with high detail rendered clouds, then high level detailed random difference clouds applied about 4 times.

Next layer up is rendered cloud, large scale, high detail. I kept changing the seed until I found a preview that had the shape I wanted. Set this mode to screen.

Top layer (my three-layer-sandwich standard technique for non-destructive coastline generation) is 50% grey set to lighten mode.

I went back and adjusted the middle layer levels to control the coast position and number of islands..

Select by colour (merged levels) and save selection to a channel.

I find the coast to be deliciously detailed, and there was absolutely no touch-up, I would think this is nice looking large continent scale....opinions?

(I might have to script this technique...since I like the results)

-Rob A>

[MadLetter]

Looks really nice.

Would like to do that in Photoshop...

[ravells]

Definitely looks great. Did you start with a feathered white blob as you did with the 'not so random coastline' tutorial?

[Bohunk]

I like it, its got a good feel to it. Would it be possible to put this coastline and a somewhat smoother coastline on the same map without too much difficulty?

[RobA]

Definitely looks great. Did you start with a feathered white blob as you did with the 'not so random coastline' tutorial?

Would it be possible to put this coastline and a somewhat smoother coastline on the same map without too much difficulty?

D'oh! Why didn't I think of that?

(you don't quite get the same effect with a blurred shape, but...)

Bottom Layer (same as previous example):
coast_test_layer1.png

Middle Layer (Screen Blending Mode):
coast_test_layer2.png

Top layer 50 % grey (Lighten Blending mode):
coast_test_layer3.png

After selecting the 50% grey with 0 tolerance using the colour select tool, and copying selection to a channel:

Variable randomness coast, based on a blurred shape:
coast_test_variable.png

Might have to video this

-Rob A>

[jfrazierjr]

Might have to video this

-Rob A>

Yes Yes Yes!!!!

RobA, you never cease to amaze.

Joe