From branched to a big tree.

[Dick Ma]

Hi All.

Although I have polas' tree designer n' leave generator. But the results are not so natual.

So I think about one method to modelling tree and ended up with this method.

Make a branch and load in layout.
Using spline control to control the branch flow.

Really I made something which I want but I got problem in saving back to modeler.

Can't save transform object from layout to modeler at ONCE.

any solution?

[Dick Ma]

This is the result, from branches to a tree.

the problems is how to save the objects in Layout, into a transformed single model file that can opened in modeler.

[Dick Ma]

Here

[dablan]

Spline Control is cool for this, but it's sort of a backwards way to go.

Go back to Modeler and try using Magic Bevel on a subpatched box. Make a box, press tab, then freeze it (ctrl d) - then, hit tab again. Now turn on Magic Bevel, pull and go. Be sure to use the numeric panel for Magic bevel and turn on Spline, you can then edit the curves and shape the branches.

Hope that helps

Dan Ablan
AGA Digital Studios, Inc.
www.3dgarage.com LightWave Training

[lasco]

not sure I understand well the trouble
and not sure your image helps to.

you have different layers (for 1 tree) in the Layout
and can't save them as a single (transformed) one, it is this ?

really don't get it but it doesn't seems that the fact it's
a tree from TD changes anything does it ?
Unless only because it has subpatch, does saving transformed objects
with subpatch in Layout cause troubles ?

[Dick Ma]

This is my one unit of my branches.

Then I clone it about 6 times in Layout then using spline controls.

hope you understand what i am doing.

(it's something we can do simliar as Maya paint effects.)

[richpr]

Clone it in Modeler instead of Layout... If you want this to become one bigger sort of bush/tree...

[Dick Ma]

From the replies someone still not understand it.....

the use of spline control in layout is that I can deform the branches interactively to form a tree.

In the render, I use 6 clone to make a bush. You can see the outcome is natural because the branches are not look homogeneous.

[Dick Ma]

Originally posted by lasco
you have different layers (for 1 tree) in the Layout
and can't save them as a single (transformed) one, it is this ?

Yes, it is.

[riki]

You could probably get some good results using Point Clone Plus. Might take a bit of experimenting though.

[lasco]

OK
Dick for the "multiple layers saved as a single one" in Layout I
can't help, not enough knowledge…


though I don't understand why you need so much to clone and
deform your clones when you can get good various disturbed shapes
with TD (also use it and find it good)

And well I guess you could for this model save separately your 6 branches
in the Layout and "merge" them back in the Modeler,
of course I understand it may bother you if you do this for each tree or bush you create but again, you can really have control your shape

ps : what are these colors on your LW interface ???

[lasco]

seems saving at once several transformed objects
is not possible from the Layout…

by the way did you try the Spline Guide tool in the Modeler to control
the shape of your branches ? (yea I know it's not dynamic but…)

[gjjackson]

One thing I've done for trees is using the Shaders Project, the Super Dents (ALW_SuperDents). From the previous image, my trees look like that to start with. After applying the super dents they actually look quite realistic. Unfortunately I don't have any samples here at work.

BTW: To make the trees I use Eki's TreeGen. The leaves aren't individual polygon leaves. It seems to be a Tessalated ball and jittered.

[lasco]

The leaves aren't individual polygon leaves.

this makes me think : Dick Ma unless you need to deform the leaves in 3D which
does'nt seem to be the case you could use trianlges instead of rectangles for your
leave's base polygons, your model would be lighter : 1 point less by leave
can make a serious difference…

and the other thing I thought about is that you could also deform your
branches whatever you use for this (Modeler or Layout) and only generate
leaves AFTER !!
Deformation would be easier / faster, because as you must know you keep
all you control settings of LG (weight maps etc) for your base model is made
with TD…

[Jimzip]

Sheesh.. So much easier in Maya..
"Click, click, instant tree. Click play, tree moves in wind.."
Ah, if only... :rolleyes:
(Sorry, I'm not much help am I...)


Jimzip :D