Forester Pro version 1.28 with Normal Bending
by Matthew Genge · 11/26/2014 (5:39 am) · 10 comments
Forester Pro is a tree and plant creator for T3D that generates random models from templates. Forester allows branches and leaves to be posed to generate exactly the model you need. Forester also can generate LODs, collision meshes, and vertex colours for wind effects automatically. Custom templates of entirely new types of plant can also be generated in Forester.
We've been working hard on version 1.28 of Forester Pro which features normal bending and editing. If you've ever struggled with models in which some leaves are too dark due to shadows (forcing you to use only diffuse lighting) then normal bending will probably solve your problem. Normal bending in Forester distorts the normals on leaves away from a user selected point mixing the leaf mesh normals with the radial direction. The result is leaf mesh faces that respond to light direction in a more natural way, often giving trees and plants the appearance of more volume in the processes. Normal bending can now be generated automatically in Forester with user defined weights and bend focus positions. Whilst working on normal bending we also added features to allow you to edit normals on individual leaves. As ever...updates are free.
Forester Pro can be downloaded from our website. A free version, Forester Lite, is available and includes 7 free template types, the full registered version is $30 and includes 13 templates and enables the creation of your own templates. Over 130 templates of trees and plants are also available for use in Forester.
www.hptware.co.uk/forester.php
We've been working hard on version 1.28 of Forester Pro which features normal bending and editing. If you've ever struggled with models in which some leaves are too dark due to shadows (forcing you to use only diffuse lighting) then normal bending will probably solve your problem. Normal bending in Forester distorts the normals on leaves away from a user selected point mixing the leaf mesh normals with the radial direction. The result is leaf mesh faces that respond to light direction in a more natural way, often giving trees and plants the appearance of more volume in the processes. Normal bending can now be generated automatically in Forester with user defined weights and bend focus positions. Whilst working on normal bending we also added features to allow you to edit normals on individual leaves. As ever...updates are free.
Forester Pro can be downloaded from our website. A free version, Forester Lite, is available and includes 7 free template types, the full registered version is $30 and includes 13 templates and enables the creation of your own templates. Over 130 templates of trees and plants are also available for use in Forester.
www.hptware.co.uk/forester.php
About the author
I am an Earth Scientist who likes writing games for fun.
#2
I tried it out, but currently I do not understand how this works or what it does. In the ideal case the normals should point all upwards, can I achieve this with this method somehow?
11/26/2014 (8:42 am)
What is normal bending? I know this under the term "vertex normal manipulation" if it is the same at all.I tried it out, but currently I do not understand how this works or what it does. In the ideal case the normals should point all upwards, can I achieve this with this method somehow?
#3
Normals were one of the major things killing the look of any foliage I've been making, so this is very good news.
11/26/2014 (9:31 am)
I'll have to give this a whirl later.Normals were one of the major things killing the look of any foliage I've been making, so this is very good news.
#4
It is the same thing...I prefer the phrase normal bending. The new feature is based on tutorials where normals are manipulated by assigned by weighting between the normals of each leaf mesh, and a radial normal from a user selected point. This makes planes looked curved. However, good suggestion, I can always add an extra option so they are weighted towards a vector. Next release.
Best,
Matt
11/26/2014 (3:45 pm)
Hi Duion,It is the same thing...I prefer the phrase normal bending. The new feature is based on tutorials where normals are manipulated by assigned by weighting between the normals of each leaf mesh, and a radial normal from a user selected point. This makes planes looked curved. However, good suggestion, I can always add an extra option so they are weighted towards a vector. Next release.
Best,
Matt
#5
I like it! Someone FINALLY understands and explains normal bending! (get rid of those 'dark patches' on your leaf meshes by adjusting the normal projections!) I included a 'quick' tutorial in my Conifer Pack that covered how to compensate in 3D Max using 'edit normals' but, I am pretty certain noone read it :-).
Anyway, good to see you pushing this product forward! It seems to be a good amount of bang for the buck for those that need something like this.
Ron
11/26/2014 (4:50 pm)
Matthew, I like it! Someone FINALLY understands and explains normal bending! (get rid of those 'dark patches' on your leaf meshes by adjusting the normal projections!) I included a 'quick' tutorial in my Conifer Pack that covered how to compensate in 3D Max using 'edit normals' but, I am pretty certain noone read it :-).
Anyway, good to see you pushing this product forward! It seems to be a good amount of bang for the buck for those that need something like this.
Ron
#6
I have read it, but blender cannot do it, that was the reason I suggested it, so I can have a workaround for vegetation.
11/26/2014 (6:09 pm)
@RonI have read it, but blender cannot do it, that was the reason I suggested it, so I can have a workaround for vegetation.
#7
sorry but just being honest here.
11/27/2014 (4:16 pm)
I see nothing new here. those examples looks 2005. maybe create your own shaders to enhance those trees and improve the product? at least make it more presentable. sorry but just being honest here.
#8
I am actually quite pleased with 2005 ;) Forester makes trees and plants and includes a preview with just diffuse lighting. We support 6 different engines and each has different shaders and lighting, which we found impossible to recreate. We made the decision to go for a simple "honest" preview and to go for maximum performance. Forester is after all a utility to create tree and plant models, rather than a game engine.
Here is an example of models made with Forester Pro in T3D.
11/28/2014 (10:50 am)
Hi GamerX,I am actually quite pleased with 2005 ;) Forester makes trees and plants and includes a preview with just diffuse lighting. We support 6 different engines and each has different shaders and lighting, which we found impossible to recreate. We made the decision to go for a simple "honest" preview and to go for maximum performance. Forester is after all a utility to create tree and plant models, rather than a game engine.
Here is an example of models made with Forester Pro in T3D.
#10
Just played around with forester again and noticed there is still this mirror UV-projection of the bark texture on the tree, this produces obviously artificial and ugly noticeable patterns.
Why not just wrap the texture around normally? I would never use such an unwrap on my tree.
12/18/2014 (4:29 pm)
@Matthew GengeJust played around with forester again and noticed there is still this mirror UV-projection of the bark texture on the tree, this produces obviously artificial and ugly noticeable patterns.
Why not just wrap the texture around normally? I would never use such an unwrap on my tree.
Associate Steve Acaster
[YorkshireRifles.com]