I'm currently working on a project that is going to need lightning, and while I have several props I can use, none of them look like lightning, and despite being somewhat proficient in the Material room, I can't seem to replicate the extreme "fuzziness" at the edges of lightning that's seen in most photographs.

So I'm wondering if any of the Material room gurus, or anyone else, has found a non-postwork mens of getting that realistic lightning look within Poser.

I've even tried using some of the materials from posework's Particles 3, and haven't gotten anything satisfactory.

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If you're joking that's just cruel, but if you're being sarcastic, that's even worse.

I did this one using a one sided square prop. I plugged the lighting map into the diffuse and ambient  colour nodes, and added a transmap in to the transparancy node!

MS Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1
Intel Core i7-2600 CPU @ 3.40GHz, 12.0GB RAM, AMD Radeon HD 7770

PoserPro 2012 (SR1) - Units: Metres , Corel PSP X4 and PSE 9

I changed the ambient colour to alter the colour of the lightning! :)

MS Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1
Intel Core i7-2600 CPU @ 3.40GHz, 12.0GB RAM, AMD Radeon HD 7770

PoserPro 2012 (SR1) - Units: Metres , Corel PSP X4 and PSE 9

Quote - I did this one using a one sided square prop. I plugged the lighting map into the diffuse and ambient  colour nodes, and added a transmap in to the transparancy node!

Where did you get the lightning map?

"It is good to see ourselves as others see us. Try as we may, we are never
able to know ourselves fully as we are, especially the evil side of us.
This we can do only if we are not angry with our critics but will take in good
heart whatever they might have to say." - Ghandi

Hi Acadia! I created it in PSP using KPT lighnting plugin. I saved it as a jpg! :)

MS Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1
Intel Core i7-2600 CPU @ 3.40GHz, 12.0GB RAM, AMD Radeon HD 7770

PoserPro 2012 (SR1) - Units: Metres , Corel PSP X4 and PSE 9

Interesting! I do have that plugin but tend to forget about it.

I'll have to give that a try. Wonderful tip! Thanks :)

"It is good to see ourselves as others see us. Try as we may, we are never
able to know ourselves fully as we are, especially the evil side of us.
This we can do only if we are not angry with our critics but will take in good
heart whatever they might have to say." - Ghandi

You're welcome! :)

MS Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1
Intel Core i7-2600 CPU @ 3.40GHz, 12.0GB RAM, AMD Radeon HD 7770

PoserPro 2012 (SR1) - Units: Metres , Corel PSP X4 and PSE 9

Not entirely sure that'd work for me, mostly due to not having PSP.

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If you're joking that's just cruel, but if you're being sarcastic, that's even worse.

It should work the same in any graphics programme, such as Photoshop etc. :)

MS Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1
Intel Core i7-2600 CPU @ 3.40GHz, 12.0GB RAM, AMD Radeon HD 7770

PoserPro 2012 (SR1) - Units: Metres , Corel PSP X4 and PSE 9

> Quote - I did this one using a one sided square prop. I plugged the lighting map into the diffuse and ambient  colour nodes, and added a transmap in to the transparancy node!

Are you sure you connected it to the "ambient colour node"?  When I connect it to the "diffuse" and the "ambient colour", this is what I get.

"It is good to see ourselves as others see us. Try as we may, we are never
able to know ourselves fully as we are, especially the evil side of us.
This we can do only if we are not angry with our critics but will take in good
heart whatever they might have to say." - Ghandi

If I connect it to the Diffuse Colour and Specular  Colour, this is what I get. 

Click picture for a better view.

"It is good to see ourselves as others see us. Try as we may, we are never
able to know ourselves fully as we are, especially the evil side of us.
This we can do only if we are not angry with our critics but will take in good
heart whatever they might have to say." - Ghandi

I'll have to look into it then.

Edit: It's a no-go, unless there's a free version, I don't have any spare cash laying around.

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If you're joking that's just cruel, but if you're being sarcastic, that's even worse.

Here is the material room for the last render

"It is good to see ourselves as others see us. Try as we may, we are never
able to know ourselves fully as we are, especially the evil side of us.
This we can do only if we are not angry with our critics but will take in good
heart whatever they might have to say." - Ghandi

Quote - Not entirely sure that'd work for me, mostly due to not having PSP.

I could make you some lightning images and transmaps if you don't have the lightning plugin.  You're welcome to the 3 I've made.  Send me your email address by site mail and I'll forward them to you.

"It is good to see ourselves as others see us. Try as we may, we are never
able to know ourselves fully as we are, especially the evil side of us.
This we can do only if we are not angry with our critics but will take in good
heart whatever they might have to say." - Ghandi

Will do, thanks.

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If you're joking that's just cruel, but if you're being sarcastic, that's even worse.

I did the following image with an image of the lightening from one of those lightening balls you buy at Spencer's Gifts.

My Freebies

Here's the settings I used. The material was applied to two enlongated Poser Spheres.

My Freebies

Here is my settings. You can alter the colour of the bolt by changing the ambient colour, which is currently white! :)

MS Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1
Intel Core i7-2600 CPU @ 3.40GHz, 12.0GB RAM, AMD Radeon HD 7770

PoserPro 2012 (SR1) - Units: Metres , Corel PSP X4 and PSE 9

Thanks for that :) 

"It is good to see ourselves as others see us. Try as we may, we are never
able to know ourselves fully as we are, especially the evil side of us.
This we can do only if we are not angry with our critics but will take in good
heart whatever they might have to say." - Ghandi

Attached Link: Almathera free plugins

Here you go, a free lightning plugin (and a couple of others too).