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Jigsaw Puzzles!!

DB Jigsaw Puzzles!

8.91/10 rating
(186 votes)

Now that I've gotten halfway decent at using The Plant Factory I have turned my attention to another one of my helper programs; World Machine. World Machine allows for the creation of detailed landmasses with realistic erosion and texturing (going far beyond what Vue offers natively).

I've already created a few renders using World Machine (last year's "Valley of the Sun", "Valley of the Stars" and the "Cliffs" series) but now it's time to go deeper.

I'm sure "Castlemere" will draw comparisons to "Highland Spring" (the elevated camera, the color scheme, etc) and that isn't entirely unintentional. One big difference here is that I've populated the scene with deciduous vegetation (rather than evergreens) which will allow me to do a proper Autumn version when the time comes.

I hope you enjoy the new render. Let me know what you think!

Member Comments

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docster
"Clouds"
I like this one a lot, Ryan, but have yet to get past the layered-look of the clouds, which also suffer from a minimal amount of depth. YMMV, of course.

Sun May 15, 2016 at 0:03 am

drmwvrsquilts
"Thanks for the multi screen renders Ryan!"
Thank you for adding the 3840x1080 files!

Sat April 23, 2016 at 4:11 pm

Ali
"i wish water were like this in real life"
I also like the dark leaves. Not every color needs to be bright or saturated. (also goes for Myriad, good job on that one, too)



I don't blame you one bit for recycling the elevated camera. It has good potential.

Wed April 20, 2016 at 12:04 pm

Ryan
"New Files"
I've added new 3840x1200 and 3840x1080 files. Not sure what happened there!

Fri April 15, 2016 at 8:44 am

Gregor
"Wrong image size"
Hi Ryan, the 3840x1200 link leads to an image only 3360x1050 in size. That causes the castle to be split right in the middle on my 1920x1200 screens. Could you please correct this issue?

Fri April 15, 2016 at 4:47 am

KC
"Split castle"
I want to love this (I really do love the picture!), but the 3840x1080 version splits the castle right down the middle. I may try grabbing the tri-screen and editing it to the dual screen size with the castle two inches to the right. Love the water though, looks like a glacial lake!

Thu April 14, 2016 at 9:07 am

doc
"Another 'nice, but...'"
I have always liked castles on an island images and I really like this one, but to me the water is a bit too pristine, too clear ?.

Tue April 12, 2016 at 3:01 am

Beausuff
"NICE...But"
Beautiful view...but can we get a "night" version?

Sat April 9, 2016 at 10:38 pm

Pippa
"Lovely"
Reminds me of a remote Scottish castle

Fri April 8, 2016 at 4:41 pm

Pippa
"Lovely"
Reminds me of a remote Scottish castle

Fri April 8, 2016 at 4:41 pm

Jenanne
"Multiscreen"
Yep, the 3840x1200 is actually 3360x1050. Multiscreen definitely worth the wait!

Fri April 8, 2016 at 3:37 pm

horcruxhp
"Love It!!"
It was worth the wait. Thank you!

Fri April 8, 2016 at 8:48 am

YBNorml
"Multiscreen 3840X1200"
Ryan, there seems to be something wrong with the rendering. I don't think it's at 1200.

Thu April 7, 2016 at 3:09 pm

Ryan
"Multiscreen!"
Let me know what you guys think of the multiscreen version. Sorry for the long wait!!

Thu April 7, 2016 at 11:17 am

PentecostalGeek
"Multiscreen?"
I love the realistic lighting in this one. It feels like you've really climbed the mountain and are looking down. Great job! I would love a dualscreen version.

Wed April 6, 2016 at 9:59 am

Jason
"Stunning"
I can see this one becoming one of my favorites. Now I just need it in multi-screen.

Mon April 4, 2016 at 10:33 am

Dr ZUL
"Fantastic"
The cloud covering and the haze in the distance looks great. I always love your fantasy renders. I agree with Maryann, a view from the castle would look good it that's possible.

Thu March 31, 2016 at 6:23 pm

Maryann
"Castlemere"
I am in love with this.



But I'd also like to see, if your creative forces agree, a view from the castle, looking up at the mountains and clouds.

Wed March 30, 2016 at 8:10 pm

Lance
"Castlemere"
The depth and natural fading of all the colors impresses me.

It all comes together to give this image great composition and realism. I'd like to see what the castle has to offer us!

Excellent work Ryan!

Tue March 29, 2016 at 0:10 am

Davin
"Amazing"
I love wandering the site. I will run across gems like this that I somehow missed when they originally were released. I'd love a closer perspective of this scene.

Sun March 27, 2016 at 6:11 pm

Falkor
"Cstlemere"
This is incredible... Obviously, many of us would like to see a night version along with seasons.. Please keep doing what you do!

Wed March 23, 2016 at 0:44 am

Tyler
"Love it"
Would love a night version even more. The moon glistening off the water. C'mon Ryan get it boyee!

Tue March 22, 2016 at 11:49 pm

Andrew
"Awesome!"
This may be my new all-time favorite! An autumn version should be killer.

Mon March 21, 2016 at 9:36 pm

sigmaman
"Sweet"
Nice one Ryan!

Mon March 21, 2016 at 8:45 pm

Kurt
"Very Nice"
Nice render. Other ideas: more closeup views of the castle, night versions.

Sat March 19, 2016 at 9:29 pm

Jonathan
"Rivals my all-time favorite"
This reminds me of and I feel is right up there with my favorite of yours "Highland Spring". If I were to have to choose a favorite between the 2 or die, I would be in trouble. I too would like to see seasonal versions, though I feel this has more of a Summertime look to me. The greens a darker than I would think for spring.



Overall 10

Sat March 19, 2016 at 11:03 am

Owen
"Castemere"
I'd like to see an Autumn and Winter version of this, as seen from the air.

Fri March 18, 2016 at 3:43 pm

TheHoonigan
"Beautiful"
Would really like this to be a dual screen render so I can place on my desktop at work. Keep up the good work man!

Fri March 18, 2016 at 9:57 am

Burnettery
"So Pretty"
I really want this one in a triple screen render. This one looks amazing.

Fri March 18, 2016 at 6:58 am

Jekin
"Stupendous!"
Wow! This went to my favourites right away. The Highland Spring vibe but also because I'm a sucker for castles and ruins. The foliage looks really good and the water is like an oil painting. Once Upon a Time from 2003 and Dracul are some of my favourites too. I hope you do more castles, ruins and statues be they on ground, underwater or where ever.



If I can make wishes... also some medieval style village or buildings, especially in night time would be nice (lamp posts!). Or just some town in a landscape with some fantasy vibe perhaps.

Fri March 18, 2016 at 3:32 am

BobC
"Magnificent"
The more I see this one, the more I like it! I like the handling of the clouds and, to me, they soften the lighting that was a bit harsh in the WIP sketch. What I REALLY like is that this seems like the spiritual and artistic heir to some of the earliest (1990's) DB fantasy pieces that featured castles, valleys, and mountains. I had always hoped to see what could happen with your latest ideas and tools... and now, it seems, I get to!

Thu March 17, 2016 at 2:03 pm

Marlowe
"A New Favorite!"
I really love this one! I want to go there.

Thu March 17, 2016 at 12:34 pm

Laura
"Beautiful"
Makes me think "so this is what's above Nemo's Garden!"

Thu March 17, 2016 at 8:43 am

Susan
"Love it"
Especially the blue green colour you have in the middle of the scene. It stands out and really lifts the picture (the rest of the colours being more on the dull side).

Thu March 17, 2016 at 3:02 am

Ty Lambert
"An Eagles View"
Lovely work Ryan :)

I wonder if HBO will be in touch as it looks like you've got a good idea for some locations in GoT?

Thu March 17, 2016 at 2:38 am

Mario Carini
"Castlemere"
Absolutely gorgeous! Stunning b\view. The castle looks so isolated in the middle of the lake.

Wed March 16, 2016 at 11:11 pm

Magnus
"Clouds"
Can you post a version without the Clouds ?

Wed March 16, 2016 at 8:19 pm

Donna
"Castlemere Almost There...."
This, as usual, is beautiful. I love the impression - at least to me - that the castle is moving out into the Loch. On purpose? The clouds a little perky for atmosphere? Your art is always beautiful, even the "pickle jar" versions! I'm waiting for that little "mystery" in this one.

This is the first time I've critiqued with actual suggestions! So proud!

Donna

Wed March 16, 2016 at 7:13 pm

Gardner
"Wonderful!"
Looks great! That being said, it is a tad bright for it to be a regular on my desktop. Any chance of a night or evening version, or maybe just with a bit less of the whiteness please?

Wed March 16, 2016 at 7:11 pm

rICHARD
"Amazing"
The best wallpaper since Highland Spring! This is amazing. Thank you!

Wed March 16, 2016 at 3:07 pm

BoDaddy
"What I said"
After thinking it could look very cool if you can make a thunder storm (or something like that) coming in from the distance. Considering you have enough distance to the horizon you could play it as threatening weather type scene. Again love your work

Wed March 16, 2016 at 2:55 pm

BoDaddy
"What Tom said"
Love the scene but I have to agree with Tom about the clouds. Maybe if the clouds had some transparency it may help? I hate to critique your work because it is always top notch but the clouds remind me more of a dense smoke than a cloud.

Wed March 16, 2016 at 2:52 pm

Tom
"Clouds"
Too many clouds, otherwise really nice work.

Wed March 16, 2016 at 1:52 pm

Angelique
"Castlemere"
If you plan to do any variations of the scene, could there be a cloudless version?

Wed March 16, 2016 at 1:31 pm

Angelique
"Castlemere"
spectacular! this really does make me think of Highland Spring. I love the blue color at the edge of the water

Wed March 16, 2016 at 1:27 pm

Jeremy DaCosta
"Love it"
Mountains and Castles are my favorite and this is so cool!

Wed March 16, 2016 at 1:00 pm

Jenanne
"Excellent!"
I'm running out of appropriate adjectives; I've loved every one of your renders recently (and not so recently). I do agree with Lester D about the clouds covering the distant mountains -- fewer would be better IMO -- but it's not that big of a deal. Terrific render, Ryan.

Wed March 16, 2016 at 12:45 pm

Littlemom
"Nice but"
I really love this render except some of the clouds don't look real to me. More like little cotton balls. But otherwise I love it.

Wed March 16, 2016 at 12:38 pm

Ryan
"@Rem"
The 5K, 4K and UHD versions are available now. I really shouldn't post these after midnight...

Wed March 16, 2016 at 11:04 am

silverwolf
"Great!"
Really like it. The autumn version is going to be stunning, I imagine.

Wed March 16, 2016 at 10:53 am

Ryan
"Multiscreens"
I really tried to develop my images for multiscreen first but 1) they took too long to render, esp when I wasn't sure if they would be final or not, and 2) 3D programs act very oddly when the frame is so wide (pixels at the edges are wider than the ones in the middle!). I am working on the multiscreen for this one right now but in the meantime folks with 2 1080p monitors could easily use the UHD version to span both screens.

Wed March 16, 2016 at 10:48 am

drmwvrsquilts
"Stunning"
This is really beautiful!! Would love to switch my background ASAP, but there are no multi-screen renders. :-(

Wed March 16, 2016 at 10:42 am

Rem
"castlemere"
Very nice but I need a 5120x2880

Wed March 16, 2016 at 10:27 am

John
"Great one"
One of the best ones you've ever done. Thank you!

Wed March 16, 2016 at 10:24 am

lorwynd
"Wow!!!"
Love it. Would be great to see a bigger castle, but I suppose that would be tough to balance with the amount and "height" of the landscape. Great stuff!

Wed March 16, 2016 at 10:22 am

Zach
"Multis?"
WOW, this one looks really great as well! It seems like lately a lot of the beautiful scenes have been neglected in terms of multi-screen renders. :( Hope this one doesn't go by the wayside too.

Wed March 16, 2016 at 10:13 am

Infirnex
"I love this"
I love this! I can't wait for the Autumn version. Do you plan on making a Winter version as well?

Wed March 16, 2016 at 10:04 am

R
"Dannnng"
This is awesome! :D

Wed March 16, 2016 at 9:36 am

Nathan
"Gorgious"
I am blown away. switching my desktop background now.

Wed March 16, 2016 at 9:22 am

Dennis
"Wow."
Title says it all.



I love how I can come to this site and see all the really cool wallpapers and then, every once in a while, one will just grab me and say "Look! Look at this you fat sumbitch! THIS is what you would do if you could do this!" LoL



Seriously, this one really made me think "Wow!"

Wed March 16, 2016 at 9:21 am

Schaff
"Castlemere"
Ryan, What a nice, nice render. Sort of gives you a mystical, fantasy feel.

Wed March 16, 2016 at 9:11 am

someone31988
"Nice Arial View"
This one is pretty awesome! Once there is a dual monitor version, I'll be using it on my work computer. The only criticism I have is of the erosion textures around the castle under the water and near the shore. They seem pretty low res and remind me of low res textures in a video game that you see before the higher resolution ones load.

Wed March 16, 2016 at 8:16 am

WiDoW
"Bliss!"
Being a hiker, this is the view I aspire to reach. Love the reflections of the clouds and the turquois shore edgings.

Wed March 16, 2016 at 8:12 am

betsett
"perfect"
BUT...I need an 1152x854 render!!

Wed March 16, 2016 at 8:00 am

Eric
"Castlemere"
Truly amazing. I saw similar things in real life when I visited Scotland last summer! Very realistic!

Wed March 16, 2016 at 6:55 am

Ryan
"This is what I'm talking about"
This picture has some of my favorite aspects of your work. The long draw distances with the colors of the water and the valley make this image a perfect 10.

Wed March 16, 2016 at 6:29 am

Ozaawaagos
"Bloody AWESOME"
This is Bloody AWESOME, perfect the way it is. Great Job My Friend

Wed March 16, 2016 at 4:42 am

Halfwolf
"Triple?"
Is a triple monitor version coming? I have seen several releases lately that don't seem to have 5760 x 1080. Maybe they were older scenes but this one is not.

Wed March 16, 2016 at 2:01 am

Lester D
"Aw Shucks!!"
Love this one. Maybe less clouds in the distance? I love looking into a clear horizon.

Wed March 16, 2016 at 0:33 am


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