Making difference clouds fluffy

[ShifterCat]

GIMP Version: 2.8.14
Operating System: Windows
GIMP Experience: New User

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Hi! I'm a very new user, as I only got this program when my old edition of -- let's call it "PictureStore" -- refused to run on my updated system.

An effect I used to use a lot was Difference Clouds. I figured out how to render those in GIMP, and even how to colourize them using my chosen gradient for the project. But... I can't help but notice that the "clouds" thus rendered look rather blotchy, more like a plasma effect than the pleasantly fuzzy texture of PictureStore's clouds.

I tried various blur effects (even though I don't know what many of the terms mean), but none of them made any noticeable change.

Does anyone have any tips, or downloadable scripts, for making my difference clouds more "fluffy" than "blotchy"?

Again, I'm a VERY new user here, so you'll have to explain things like I'm five. Preferably with screenshots.

Thanks.

[Wallace]

GIMP Version: 2.8.14
Operating System: Windows
GIMP Experience: New User

---

Hi! I'm a very new user, as I only got this program when my old edition of -- let's call it "PictureStore" -- refused to run on my updated system.

An effect I used to use a lot was Difference Clouds. I figured out how to render those in GIMP, and even how to colourize them using my chosen gradient for the project. But... I can't help but notice that the "clouds" thus rendered look rather blotchy, more like a plasma effect than the pleasantly fuzzy texture of PictureStore's clouds.

I tried various blur effects (even though I don't know what many of the terms mean), but none of them made any noticeable change.

Does anyone have any tips, or downloadable scripts, for making my difference clouds more "fluffy" than "blotchy"?

Again, I'm a VERY new user here, so you'll have to explain things like I'm five. Preferably with screenshots.

Thanks.

You should be able to use the 2.8 Solid Noise plug-in.
Place it in your GIMP Profile which is usually located at:
C:\Users\"yourname"\AppData\Roaming\GIMP\2.10\plug-ins.

noise-solid.zip

(23.84 KiB) Downloaded 31 times

[ShifterCat]

I will give that a try, thanks!

[ShifterCat]

You should be able to use the 2.8 Solid Noise plug-in.
Place it in your GIMP Profile which is usually located at:
C:\Users\"yourname"\AppData\Roaming\GIMP\2.10\plug-ins.

The attachment noise-solid.zip is no longer available

Unfortunately, the "solid noise" clouds don't seem much different from the regular difference clouds, especially when mapped to a colour gradient.

I'll post a picture to show what I mean.

ETA: Using the "Fog" render gets me closer to the desired effect, but not quite there.

[Pocholo]

You should be able to use the 2.8 Solid Noise plug-in.
Place it in your GIMP Profile which is usually located at:
C:\Users\"yourname"\AppData\Roaming\GIMP\2.10\plug-ins.

The attachment noise-solid.zip is no longer available

Unfortunately, the "solid noise" clouds don't seem much different from the regular difference clouds, especially when mapped to a colour gradient.

I'll post a picture to show what I mean.

ETA: Using the "Fog" render gets me closer to the desired effect, but not quite there.

Hi ShifterCat! Why don't you try an old GIMP 2.8 plugin create by Photocomix; Plasma2. This a clouds plugin uses Foreground/Blackground colors or Gradient colors of your choice. You can find it here on this link:https://www.deviantart.com/photocomix-resources/art/Plasma2-for-Gimp-windows-81246453
But I will save you time by uploading the plugin here on this post. Good luck.

[Jappaloe63]

Do you have G'mic? If you use plasma there you can play with the buttons.

[rich2005]

Edit: I am not paying attention. Are you really using Gimp 2.8.14 ? and if you are what OS are you using MacOS / linux .. It has a bearing on the reply. However ...assuming Gimp 2.10

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I had to adjust your post to see the sort of difference clouds you want.

clouds.jpg (115.17 KiB) Viewed 639 times

My suggestion, make your own. Solid Noise in Difference Mode over the base layer gives the same effect. Even better if you use a layer group. Solid noise has adjustments and the GEGL filter lets you see-what-you-get.

group.jpg (157.49 KiB) Viewed 639 times

[ShifterCat]

My edition of GIMP says it's 2.10.30. My OS is Windows (whatever the latest update is).