Fractal Tree Maker for SketchUp - Free add-on

Al Hart · 23 Nov 2008, 05:02

We have just released the Beta-test version of a new, free, add-on application for SketchUp - RpTreeMaker. (for Windows only)

RpTreeMaker

RpTreeMaker generates fractal trees based on parameters - tree type, number of trunks, number of roots, age, bending parameters, etc. - and the creates a tree image and places the tree as a 2D, always-face-camera, component into SketchUp.

Here is a sample Tree Image:

Here is a sample tree loaded into SketchUp on the 3D Warehouse:

Error 404 (Not Found)!!1

(sketchup.google.com)

Documentation

Here is some documentation on how to use it:

RpTreeMaker Free - Render Plus Systems Wiki

(wiki.renderplus.com)

Download

Go here to download a copy:

Download Request - Render Plus Systems

(www.renderplus.com)

Give it a try and let us know what you think.

Beta Test

Remember this is still in Beta Test - we plan to make improvements based on your comments. One feature still to be completed is to provide a polygon background for the tree so it will cast a shadow. For now, you can use the FormFonts script: ImageProfileto generate a polygon from the image to cast shadows.

(www.smustard.com)

solo · 23 Nov 2008, 05:30

Whoah!!

That's so cool, thanks a lot!

Heads up guys, it creates a .png component that renders perfectly with most render apps, I tried it with Podium and it works!!

TREES FOR EVERYONE!!!!

solo · 23 Nov 2008, 05:46

Al this is a very needed plugin, as it enables folk to add original trees into SU for straight output or render. Especially with SU poly handicap this feature results in a low poly solution for a very poly intensive object.

Heads up for the Podium users, when you create your tree you must explode it then regroup/compnent for it to be recognised in render.

Thanks again Al.

linea · 23 Nov 2008, 05:47

Al that is fantastic! Amazing. Thanks. I've just got out of bed, it is snowing outside, so a good day to stay in and draw trees.

Al Hart · 23 Nov 2008, 05:57

@solo said:

Al this is a very needed plugin, as it enables folk to add original trees into SU for straight output or render. Especially with SU poly handicap this feature results in a low poly solution for a very poly intensive object.

We looked around to see if anyone else had created a fractal tree generator for SketchUp - we found another one here on the forum - but people were using it to create and load 3D components into SketchUp with hundreds of thousands of faces. Needless to say, these 3D trees were not very useful as elements in exterior drawings. (The sample 3D tree itself brought my machine to its knees.)

Al Hart · 23 Nov 2008, 06:01

Thanks Solo.

One of the hopes for this product is that people would create some great trees and post them to the 3D Warehouse.

This is a pretty neat Fractal Tree generator (we did not write it - we only interfaced it to SketchUp). The authors were kind enough to give us permission to release it as a free SketchUp app - with the hope that SU users will help us learn how to make good trees with it and perhaps create something like a library of basic trees of various types. (The underlying Tree Editor works with Revit, AutoCAD and Rhino - but there is no good way with those products for users to share components and tree definitions - like we have with the 3D Warehouse).

I just learned today that I can insert new base images for trunks and leaves. I found this leaf on the web, and used it to make the sample tree in this post.

(If you click on a leaf or bark image in the editor, you will be able to see where the images are stored and add your own images.)

The parameters for each tree are stored on the component definition, so if you share them on the 3D Warehouse, other people will be able to start with your tree definitions and use them to make more trees.

(As I write this I remember that we forgot to include "Save .ArPlant Definition" in the Beta test, but it will be in the next version.)

From the Tree Editor you can load and save .ArPlant XML tree definitions to create new trees.

linea · 23 Nov 2008, 06:08

Al I really need something like this, so your timing couldn't have been better. I'll definately post what I make at 3DW, do you require any other feedback?

solo · 23 Nov 2008, 06:10

Al

For regular SU output it's fine, but when you render in Podium the render is blank (no tree) however when you explode and reform a group/component it does cast a rectangular shadow in normal SU output but in Render the shadow is correct.

Al Hart · 23 Nov 2008, 06:14

@linea said:

Al I really need something like this, so your timing couldn't have been better. I'll definitely post what I make at 3DW, do you require any other feedback?

We would appreciate it if you would use the word RpTreeMaker in any 3D Warehouse posting. Then we can search for them and add them to the RpTreeMaker collection. (It has one tree in it so far)

We would like feedback on the resolutions, (currently 300, 600, 900 and 1200 pixels)
When you first make trees it is tempting to make them all "Best" resolution - but these can easily make 1.5MB .PNG files - which will also clog up your SketchUp drawing. You should make the tree about the same resolution as it will be in your final rendering.

We would, of course, like feedback on how to make the product better.

And we would love to see some of the trees people make here on the SCF Forum.

Al Hart · 23 Nov 2008, 06:16

@solo said:

Heads up for the Podium users, when you create your tree you must explode it then regroup/compnent for it to be recognised in render.

Did you have to explode the image into a face (hopefully not - because then it would cast a rectangular shadow). If it is a simple fix in the component structure, we can probably make the component that way in the first place.

So let me know precisely what you did to make the tree work.

Stu · 23 Nov 2008, 06:40

Hey Al, this is just great!! Thanks heaps!
I can see an explosion of vegetation in SU models!
And it will cast a shadow in Podium [after I exploded and grouped the tree]

Chris Fullmer · 23 Nov 2008, 07:02

Simply amazing Al! Thanks for this,

Chris

remus · 23 Nov 2008, 08:04

I look forward to giving this a go, looks like tis really good.

at3D · 23 Nov 2008, 08:18

I have loaded the link but once back in SketchUp 6(Pro) and selecting the plugin nothing is happening...any suggestions?

at3D · 23 Nov 2008, 08:28

Stu, I have installed and located within SU but when pressed to, what I hope will activate, nothing happens in SU.

My machine is running Vista, could this be an issue?

Burkhard · 23 Nov 2008, 08:42

Thanks Al, very useful. And continue your great work at Renderplus.

Stu · 23 Nov 2008, 08:54

@at3d said:

Stu, I have installed and located within SU but when pressed to, what I hope will activate, nothing happens in SU.

My machine is running Vista, could this be an issue?

Nup, Im running it with Vista and XP

Alan Fraser · 23 Nov 2008, 09:04

Excellent Plugin Al. It's good to hear that it's technically possible to load new bark textures also. Regarding resolution, I've found in manually doing this stuff for FF that a resolution of about 800 pixels high for an average tree was a reasonable compromise between detail and file size, so the 900 setting ought to be about right for most uses. Pngs can get pretty big above that, as you say. On the other hand I've never found the graphics processing to be much of a problem with a decent card....not as much of a bottleneck as the geometry, anyway.

Who knows? It might be possible to combine different resolutions in a DC, giving differing LOD at various distances.

Is there any way to adjust the angle of view in a future release? I'm sure Stu and others would find it very useful to produce maybe 45 degree down versions as well as plan views for layouts.

Gaieus · 23 Nov 2008, 10:02

Hi Al,

This looks fantastic! A long time needed and superb tool for those with inferior talents/expertise in PS work and such (not to speak about time needed even for experts to create something like this).

And all this for free!

@alan fraser said:

Who knows? It might be possible to combine different resolutions in a DC, giving differing LOD at various distances.

That was my first thought as well. And instancing these trees with Component spray tool makes really easy to create various background treelines of lower resolution samples.

If I may... I will immediately share this topic with my home mates down in the FL forums!

Stu · 23 Nov 2008, 11:24

at3D.....it should be in your plugin folder...?

And some autumn shades

EDIT:

Apart from anything else this is a lot of fun and the range of shapes is pretty limitless. I dont think smaller shrubs will be too much of a problem.
And about a 20 minute learning curve