I’m sure you may have heard that volumetric rendering can be tricky and expensive when rending. That doesn’t have to always be the case. To prove that, Creative Director & Visual Effects Artist at Two Reel FX in Las Vegas, Tobias Steiner, shows how you can use the premier particle system for C4D, X-Particles, to create and render a storm cloud — fast.

how to create a completely parametric storm cloud system that renders quickly

The storm cloud is completely parametric, and renders pretty fast, using the global illumination and volume lighting effects of Arnold render. X-Particles can create fluid-like effects, with its FLIP system, allowing you to create elements that require a volume… Smoke, fire, clouds, or water, as an example.