Abstract/stylized trees

[biliousfrog]

I'm looking for ideas, hints and tips for creating abstract/stylized trees for an architectural project. I'd like to use realistic trees near to the main development and more abstract/low-poly shapes further away to go with the simple block-type surrounding buildings.

I've seen some nice trees using cubes to represent clumps of leaves but I'm not sure that there'd be much advantage with regards to polygon count. 2D cut-outs can look good but aren't very good for aerial shots and simple 'shapes-on-sticks' might be too simple and cartoony.

Has anyone got some nice reference for stylized trees, perhaps used them in the past and can suggest some inspiration or guidance?

[shrox]

I'm looking for ideas, hints and tips for creating abstract/stylized trees for an architectural project. I'd like to use realistic trees near to the main development and more abstract/low-poly shapes further away to go with the simple block-type surrounding buildings.

I've seen some nice trees using cubes to represent clumps of leaves but I'm not sure that there'd be much advantage with regards to polygon count. 2D cut-outs can look good but aren't very good for aerial shots and simple 'shapes-on-sticks' might be too simple and cartoony.

Has anyone got some nice reference for stylized trees, perhaps used them in the past and can suggest some inspiration or guidance?

This is a nice example of a simple tree.

[biliousfrog]

This is a nice example of a simple tree.

Yeah, that's the kind of thing although it could go even more abstract. I remember seeing an arch-viz shot a few years ago that had crowds of people portrayed as inverted cones with floating sphere heads, they looked nothing like people but were instantly recognisable as such.

[cresshead]

http://www.cadyou.com/thumbs/1228613873.skp.jpg

http://itswhatyoumakeofit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/mds-3dvfxblog-buzzy-bee1.jpg

http://www.monster-munch.com/images/CrochetTree.jpg

http://www.robcubbon.com/images/wierd-trees.gif

http://www.createdinbirmingham.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/ruth-green.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EYvlovLJpHA/SWfmqgFEJKI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/sYMNprt1OzM/s400/tree1.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d9f4N51KzSs/SHZH8MVsQqI/AAAAAAAAJAI/6_jCBFQlIWc/s400/1.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fEglkkU__oM/SFvp05SxC-I/AAAAAAAACn0/np0kHyMKRvk/s400/artoo%27s+trees.jpg

a few idea from google!

[cresshead]

okay here's my bash at the idea of 'adstract'

just a stack of cylinders:D

http://www.newtek.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=78949&d=1257194777

[monovich]

http://mono-motion.com/content/1800/1800_10.jpg

i used tree designer with no subdivision, then made my leaves really big and sans-texturing.

[cresshead]

http://mono-motion.com/content/1800/1800_10.jpg

i used tree designer with no subdivision, then made my leaves really big and sans-texturing.

cool!...looks like a typical stop motion scene not ya 'cg' look at all..nice!:)

[JonW]

130 Poly tree.

[JonW]

30 Poly tree.

[monovich]

cool!...looks like a typical stop motion scene not ya 'cg' look at all..nice!:)

thx! there are a whole bunch of frames on my site and I animated the camera on these as well because I had already done all the work placing everything. This concept never got produced though. It wasn't "on brand" :(

[biliousfrog]

Lots of interesting ideas.

Cresshead those trees you came up with are very nice although a little too cartoony for this project. They remind me of something but I can't think what...it's going to bug me.

Monovich...what can I say?...Awesome!

JonW, they are more like what I had in mind initially.

I'm wondering whether simple cone and sphere shapes might work just as well, I need to do some tests to see how simple I can get it. The idea is to create something similar to a physical architectural model with the main development being realistic.

Keep 'em coming. :)

[JonW]

Tree

[cresshead]

Lots of interesting ideas.

Cresshead those trees you came up with are very nice although a little too cartoony for this project. They remind me of something but I can't think what...it's going to bug me.






lego trees maybe?

[biliousfrog]

lego trees maybe?

haha...yes! :D

I was getting weird flashbacks to something but couldn't place it