Hey,
We are working on some renders for a traditional cottage in the Isle of Sylt (Germany). We´d need to create that characteristic thatch roof as similar as possible to reality, and with enough detail/quality to look realistic and consistent from different angles and light conditions. Some of the cameras will probably be close to that roof, but others may be quite far away, so it needs to work well under both circumstances if possible.
First approach we tried was simple: model the basic volume, the external shape of it, add Subdivide and a subtle Noise for a more "organic look", then shade it with scanned Thatch textures with a nice amount of displacement. The result wasn´t that good. We added a falloff map to the diffuse to give it a more "textile" look, but it didn´t worked.
We think there are another way, to try to scatter dry branches with Forest Pack (or equivalent), but looks quite complex to distribute them on such complex surface. And even with that we need to somehow achieve that recent "cutout" look.
Please find attached a couple of examples of real roofs in Sylt.
How do you think you would try to create this roof? More of a shader way? or maybe some kind of fur? Scatter geometry?
Any tips or info, etc. will be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Best
Julio