3D Volumetric Galaxy

The galaxy was made primarily in blender using edited versions of high-resolution 2D images of the real Pinwheel galaxy. 3 dimensional details were achieved using various shading and geometry nodes and by making and converting image sequences into meshes using a tool called 3D slicer.

The main focus for this project was to create a believable view from within a galaxy to use as a skybox in other projects.

For anyone wanting to complete a similar project I would recommend that they watch Samuel Krug’s livestream with StefanPWinc. It shows a similar but much more optimal approach then mine however it was unfortunately not out when I was completing this project.

Some of the objects and nodes controlling the gas, dustlanes, nebulae and stars in the galaxy. 

Final compositing nodes.

Final renders

imgur link for the 5k final render: https://imgur.com/a/aJrPxql