Peacock underwent some exciting updates over the last few weeks and I wanted to highlight one of the most exciting ones here: terrain generation. That's right: you can now render 3D natural scenes in your browser using Flash.
We'll be discussing all the changes over the next few blog posts.
The terrain generator node gives you control over everything from the shadow and light intensity, angle and height of the light source, and even the 3D angle the terrain is viewed from. In short, Peacock just got a hell of a lot more powerful!
Here is a quick tutorial file showing how terrain can be generated in Peacock (just open the file in Peacock to view the tutorial).
Tip: To pan through the document, hold down spacebar and mouse button at the same time, as you move your mouse.
The terrain generator is very simple: You pass in a black and white height texture map and a skin texture map that overlays the 3D terrain. The white areas in the height map represent peaks, the dark areas represent valleys. By adjusting the height map, you can make all different types of 3D terrain (and even non-terrain objects).
Because the computer does all the work for you in the background, you can create very realistic effects just by adjusting options as in the randomized terrain shown above. You can personally replicate this effect by adjusting the random seed option of the top Perlin Noise node in this tutorial file.
Here are some example images showing the terrain generator put to great use: Click on the images, then open them up in the Peacock editor to get a sense for how they were made! 
Icebergs under the Aurora by a handsome devil
Simulated micro-photography of trees in the fall by Mpeutz
Windows XP inspired wallpaper by Robotguy4, bassp and yours truly.
Abstract 3D boxes using the terrain generator and new autopainter node (more on that later) by Mpeutz
Landscape with clouds by Mpeutz
Space Invaders by Mpeutz and Mario
Alien Fossil by davidjensen
Folded Fabric by Redstar
Repeating waves patterns by Mario
Earth-like land mass generator by Mpeutz
Between the Sheets by Mario
RSS
EmailComments
Posted by Enjoy the Coke side of Life. Drink Coca-Cola. on 2008-07-10 15:51:32
As Aviators are already showing, the possibilities for this new Node are endless. And the possibilities within Peacock were already endless to begin with. So this makes the app, like, double endless. Superb. Tyler, invite sent.
Posted by Rob on 2008-07-10 22:19:43
Are there Aviators? I signed up like 6 months ago and haven't gotten so much as a newsletter :'(
Posted by on 2008-07-11 16:02:52
I'm glad there are new features. I never really got Peacock maybe I should use it again, but I think the terrain doesnt look great. Maybe they could make a separate one for Aviary similar, but less confusing than Terragen or something.
Posted by Brian Riley on 2008-07-11 17:29:52
<<How much is 9 one? (Just checking if you're a human).>>
Yellow, I mean blue *grin*
Nice piece of work there folks. Aviary is really shaping up.
And yes, I would like to play with the new toy.
-Brian aka diogenese19348
Posted by Ryan Lawrence on 2008-07-12 00:42:04
Dont want to dirty up the post, but I'm also in need of an invite if anybody can find it in their heats to do so! rlawrence@inboundcs.com Thanks, Cant wait to try it out...
Posted by chad on 2008-07-12 06:49:56
I work for a Game Developer building terrains... can't wait to get my hands on this!
Posted by Status on 2008-07-12 22:36:11
Everything in Aviary is looking really cool, the Terrain Generator looks awesome. The Abstract Boxes look really cool, looks like they were done in a 3d program. Can not wait until I get a chance to try out all the cool Aviary apps. ~Status (dirx.09@gmail.com)
Posted by Robotguy4 on 2008-07-12 22:44:59
Yay! I was mentioned! Fyi: the terrain generator was my idea, but mpeuz did all the work, so its fine with me that he got the credit.
Posted by Beck on 2008-07-13 16:45:55
I'd hate to be another annoying commentor... but could someone send me an invite at rnferris@vfcc.edu? I'm a new digital media major, and I would LOVE to check some of this out!
Posted by Barbara on 2008-07-14 15:33:27
Please send me an invite, can't wait to try it out.
kremerb@zonnet.nl
Posted by Kirin on 2008-07-14 23:42:59
i tried signing up so many times over the last 6 months.... and i still dont have an invite... is there any kind souls who is able to send an invite to me? thank u sincerely!
kirin.kirin@hotmail.com
Posted by Jerry Ricks on 2008-07-15 08:57:23
I've been on your waiting for an invite list for about as long as you have been advertising Aviary, etc. Today I saw your latest ad inviting to "try it" and when I get here, I am again asked to request an invitation. At this point, your big tease is really losing its value with me.
Posted by Avi Muchnick on 2008-07-15 15:28:39
Jerry invited - but I'm getting a bit concerned that our comments are being used for invitation requesting. It's making them not worth reading. :(
Posted by Jin on 2008-07-15 15:59:47
Do you need flash 9 to run this? I would be interested in using this for a flash game to run on my wii browser... :D
Posted by Rammserker on 2008-07-16 01:44:31
Avi, there is a lot of people, like me, that are waiting for an invitation since 6 moths ago... or more! I think if you don't want to turn the comments part in a "invitation request form", the invitation request form must work! I don't know if the system is a bit weak to let thousands of people use it or something like that... But if there is a problem about inviting people to use the software, so... Take the request off-line. It's only an opinion, from another disappointed guy, waiting his invitation. See ya...
Posted by Avi Muchnick on 2008-07-16 11:11:59
Weird - everyone from 6 months ago should have been invited at this point... I'll tell you what - if you requested an invite more than 2 months ago and it never was received please send me an email and I'll personally send you an invite ASAP.
Posted by Rammserker on 2008-07-16 19:15:24
Ok, thanks for that Avi. Sorry if I sound a bit "troll"... It's just I'm seeing something great going on here and I'm like the cat outside the butchers house... Hehe... Well... I'll send a mail.
Posted by Mason on 2008-07-23 16:52:46
can you send me an invite @ i_spy_mason@yahoo.com thank you
Posted by Dominic Russell on 2008-07-25 13:14:26
These products just keep on getting better and better- I can't wait for what goodies the update will bring. P.S I don't normally do this, but it would be really nice if someone could invite me to join a.viary. that way, I would be able to start to help those that have requested invites on www.inviteshare.com (at time of writing, there are 303 users waiting for an invite) There are many people that want to be able to try out what are the amazing products you have here, but are unable to get invited, including me. This is so frustrating for all who are waiting. My email is superdom@tiscali.co.uk Thank You
Posted by Noema Wilson on 2008-07-27 21:43:27
I found a link to this amazing website through Worth1000 (another great website!!!) about a month ago and have been waiting for an invite. I wouldn't normally do this, but I really want to experience the greatness that are held in the pages that I cannot access. My email address is oneda_womn@msn.com. Thanks
Posted by edFinite on 2008-08-02 10:33:37
Hi everyone. New to this site. It's awesome. Could someone send me an invite too? I promise to take care of some newbies once I get through the door. Thanks all.
Posted by lan on 2008-08-04 00:13:16
hey im new to this site so ya i just wanna let you no that i wanna get in so i can make some awsome picz well ya thanks
Posted by Gimli on 2008-08-04 13:23:16
This is simply amazing. I put a request for an invite in the...form thing, but I don't know how long that takes...Plus, I just wanted to comment. X3 I'd be much grateful if I was sent an invite!
Posted by Addi on 2008-08-05 18:52:29
I've been waiting for an invite for a few months now, I sent in another one, but still, nothing. Normally I wouldn't want to bother anyone like this, but could someone please send me an Invite, I am excited to use these wonderful tools!
royalpooohead@aol.com
Posted by Kon on 2008-08-14 16:49:40
Could someone please send me an invite?I would be very graceful...infact here's my email...
doomitydoomydoom@yahoo.com
Posted by Tyler Quiring on 2008-07-10 14:34:00
This is incredible! It is sure to be a boon for all designers everywhere. But I can't use it! Can you please send an invite to tdq11@hotmail.com?