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Anatomy of a Tree when using fxShapeReplicator

by Carpenter Software · in Artist Corner · 08/19/2006 (6:53 pm) · 2 replies

The DTS of a tree only has a mesh of a trunk for the tree with a few limbs where the leaves on the other hand are part of an image (256 x 256 pixels). Creating the trunk and limbs is easy but how is the image attached to the trunk? The image has the green leaves of the tree.

I understand that this type of shape saves on rendering time.

Thanks Jesse.
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Torque Owner Gustavo Munoz
#1
08/20/2006 (1:07 am)
You need to use some simple planes with the leaves image as a texture. You should also build a Colision Mesh for the tree. Take a look at the stock trees in the showtool and you will see how it is build.

Torque Owner Carpenter Software
#2
08/20/2006 (11:52 am)
@Gustavo

I have not purchased the Showtool Pro yet but I will. I do have the demo and I am on the seventh day of thirty. I have not used this tool very much.

I opened tree2.dts. Odd, it has a structure (mesh) of a trunk and several images (leaves). Inside Showtool Pro, I selected Material List button, and then selected the material called foliage. The image of the leaves is nothing but an image of a tree. Sweet. When I rotate the tree in the 3d window where it is oriented at top view, I see several images crossing each other like a asterisk * or a plus sign +. There are two images per group (actually seven groups - 2 * 7 = 14 images total) of these images that mimic leaves coming from one of the several main limbs attached to the trunk. Clever.

I need to use this tool more often...it reveals a lot of details.

Has anyone developed a tutorial on creating these types of shapes with Blender?

Thank Jesse.