SpeedTree like extension for TGE
by Dark Tengu · in General Discussion · 04/09/2006 (4:34 pm) · 9 replies
Is there anything like SpeedTree for TGE? If there isn't, I would be more than willing to pay $$$$ for it. I am sure that there would be others who would as well.
#2
04/09/2006 (4:41 pm)
I feel all warm inside now :) 
#3
04/09/2006 (5:31 pm)
Looks good - but I need denser forrests man!!!!!! Nice work.
#4
04/09/2006 (6:55 pm)
Well... Speed Tree is so cool coz' it can proceduraly generate it's foiliage and do nice shadows for them, but then again, it better for how much it costs. Oblivion proves how purdy it can be and there was some nice looking screenies of it integrated into TGE once. From what I can tell, this just uses pre existing art, and is a more advanced shape replicator, but it ain't gonna cost thousands of dollars either ;P
#5
04/09/2006 (7:14 pm)
The forest pack does look pretty cool, but seems nothing like Speedtree. Still, I dont think anyone here is willing to spend the thousands of dollars on speedtree. Theres so much more you can do with that kind of money.
#6
www.garagegames.com/mg/snapshot/view.php?qid=449
It's a bit dated at this point, but still a cool start
04/09/2006 (7:50 pm)
I remember seeing something about using L-Systems to generate Trees in torque a few years back... /me digs for a linkwww.garagegames.com/mg/snapshot/view.php?qid=449
It's a bit dated at this point, but still a cool start
#7
04/09/2006 (9:05 pm)
I really think that with the right looking trees/foliage and a good built in physics system, someone could make some good money. I will definately be looking at the tree pack. I just wish it was a little more. I guess that is why SpeedTree costs ~$9,000. :(
#8
1) a few basic tree models(sans leaves) with nodes on the branches
2) a few leaf textures dependant on the tree type obviously.
Once the forest pack comes out, you would take it, and in the code, you could add it so that it'd find the nodes, and place sprites of the leaves, and make it really dense like that. Once you've got them placed, you'd just take the sun(or nearest lightsource, whatev) and then progressively darken the leaves the farther across the tree they are.
SpeedTree doesnt do anything procedurally really(if you dont could the shadowing stuff, but that's a bit different)It just has a very large library of models of differnt tree types. Acheiving a speedTree like system isnt overly complicated, you're just not looking at all the optimizations of a product as polished as ST, and you'd have to make the art.
Doable? most certantly.
Feasible? It's up to you really.
@Matt:
"The forest pack does look pretty cool, but seems nothing like Speedtree. "
Really, it's quite a bit like speedtree outside of speedtree's pre-existing library of trees.
It does the same general LOD'ing system, so the core system is the same. You just have to make you're own models is all ;)
@Marcus
If you're really shooting for speedtree, it HAS been implemented in the past, such as here: www.garagegames.com/mg/snapshot/view.php?qid=712
and in the game poacher, so it's not impossible, and there are people to talk to, so if you've got the money and wanna get it, i'm sure you can find people to help you get it in.
If you dont have the cash to drop, there ARE indie alternatives, such as Ben's forest pack which should do the trick :)
Either way, looking foreward to the forest pack.
-Reno
edit: fixed the link
04/09/2006 (9:43 pm)
Honestly, if all you want is a speedTree esque system, here's what you would need:1) a few basic tree models(sans leaves) with nodes on the branches
2) a few leaf textures dependant on the tree type obviously.
Once the forest pack comes out, you would take it, and in the code, you could add it so that it'd find the nodes, and place sprites of the leaves, and make it really dense like that. Once you've got them placed, you'd just take the sun(or nearest lightsource, whatev) and then progressively darken the leaves the farther across the tree they are.
SpeedTree doesnt do anything procedurally really(if you dont could the shadowing stuff, but that's a bit different)It just has a very large library of models of differnt tree types. Acheiving a speedTree like system isnt overly complicated, you're just not looking at all the optimizations of a product as polished as ST, and you'd have to make the art.
Doable? most certantly.
Feasible? It's up to you really.
@Matt:
"The forest pack does look pretty cool, but seems nothing like Speedtree. "
Really, it's quite a bit like speedtree outside of speedtree's pre-existing library of trees.
It does the same general LOD'ing system, so the core system is the same. You just have to make you're own models is all ;)
@Marcus
If you're really shooting for speedtree, it HAS been implemented in the past, such as here: www.garagegames.com/mg/snapshot/view.php?qid=712
and in the game poacher, so it's not impossible, and there are people to talk to, so if you've got the money and wanna get it, i'm sure you can find people to help you get it in.
If you dont have the cash to drop, there ARE indie alternatives, such as Ben's forest pack which should do the trick :)
Either way, looking foreward to the forest pack.
-Reno
edit: fixed the link
#9
04/09/2006 (10:26 pm)
WOW! Thanks for the link. That shot is beautiful. It would be sweet if someone made a tree pack with trees such as those. The thing that has turned me off to tree content packs in the past (and content packs in general) is that the look is always too specific. A cartoon tree will easily be identified if used in multiple games. On the other hand, realistic looking trees like those in speed tree, will not be remembered. The only impression left in the average gamer's mind is, "That game looks awesome!" 
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