The VUE thread
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Im New to this forum, thought id post here first as im looking at the Vue to help with landscape renderings from SU Pro7. Im currently using SketchUp Pro7 with 3D max w/ RCPs to render, on Vista64. But I like the VUE landscaping features to add more realistic greenery to the scene. I mostly do single shot renderings, no animations. I downloaded the PLE of Vue7.5 to try out and was looking through the import file types, and didnt see .skp type. No big deal ill use .3ds unless someone recommends a different file type.< just read it only in Win32
Anyways just subscribing to this thread.
James -
James, did you install Vue xStream so you can use Vue directly inside of your 3dsmax? That looks great. I have not tried it yet though. But it looks great to be able to workin side of 3dsmax and access all the great VUE features, and render using Mental Ray.
Do you use xStream Pete? Or are you using infinite?
Chris
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I use infinite, I do not use the Vue to Max, cinema 4d, Xsi, Maya integration as of yet, I may look into it for future work, as of yet I have had no need for it.
I have heard a rumor that a future version of Vue will have a Vray direct plugin as well as a Cuda possibility, so unless I have a project that forced me to use the current integrations with 3rd paty apps, I will hold off and see how E-on develops it's stand alone brand. -
@solo said:
I have heard a rumor that a future version of Vue will have a Vray direct plugin
That's interesting. Why not though.....7.5 already supports vray. I wonder how well it will go over with the Vue crowd? (Those who don't already have Max and Vray) I'm guessing it will be around $800 like all the other Vray plugs? Now Vue just needs better modeling tools and it will be one step closer to a stand alone app.
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If the rumor is true and Vray would make its way to Vue, this could lift the software up a lot.
Vue already seems to score big points when it comes to creating surroundings, vegetation,landscape, skies etc...
The one thing that hold me back to really dive into it was the render engine.
Solo proves that Vue can be used successfuly for rendering, even for interiors, but I also had the impression that reaching that quality isn't that evident (for interiors specifically).Having one of the major render engines like Vray on board, could be that push in the back for people to start using it in depth.
Although the costs of having to purchase 2 pieces of expensive software might be a turn off. -
I think a vray plug-in would be awesome, and I also think that most Vue professionals will welcome it as they will have a choice of keeping their current work-flow or opt for a simpler more direct one. In either case one needs to purchase more than one app, but with a direct plug-in you only need one, at the moment in order to use vray you need to buy Max and Vray.
I'm not going to say Vue is simple, as the basic stuff may be indeed easy to achieve but the cool features takes a pretty steep learning curve to master, and that includes things like the function editor which I still have not mastered. Interiors are not difficult, but the demand on hardware is key to achieving good results as radiosity will demand every morsel of power your machine has be it Ram or raw core power.
As for modelling tools, Vue does have great ones, like Hexagon, Geo control, Sketchup, etc, etc, I would rather see no Vue modelling tools and have then concentrate on what they do best instead of trying to be an all in one solution.
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New discovery for me so I thought it might make others think...You know when you go into the editor to make a mountain...On the left side is a list of choices..Make Mt, reset, so on and so on...Do not make a mountain, but play with each one of those buttons and see what you get..
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For those of you that are using Vue and/or Max and want to see the integration between the two, here is a great clip showing Vue/Max and mental ray.
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So I am using Pioneer right now to try a few things out. If I buy one of the add on packs (Vue 7 Fantasy, or one of the other "T-Packs"), am I then able to import SU models and work with them inside of VUE? Also, if buying one of these packs, will it remove the VUE Logo from the renderings? Thanks!
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Another question, has anyone used Terragen? Looks similar for the end results, but dont know if it works with SU and what its workflow is like.
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I am not familiar with the t packs or any module packs, I use Infinite so that I can upgrade as needed and be on the commercial maintenance. Try and ask on the Cornucopia or E-on forums, you are certain to get a clear answer there as any wrong info may cost you unnecessarily.
I use Terragen 2 for projects that need a higher accuracy terrain, the work-flow is a little clumsy IMO, but the results are sweet once you get the hang of it.
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Thanks Pete! I will check on there. It talks somewhat about it here and there but no one has ever given me a clear answer. I gotta know before I spent a grand on it. But it would be nice, I have several projects right now that it would be great for!
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Solo,
I wanted to get some of your advice and expertise on an issue that I’m having. I’m working on some birds eye renderings for a community development. My workflow includes base and topographic information from CAD, modeling in SU, then rendering in Vue. I was wondering how you deal with the edges of your models when there is no ocean or mountains to carry or block your view to the horizon (see attachment I quickly put together). Do you have any techniques to extrapolate land up to the horizon, or creating some sort of terrain in the background that ties in with the terrain of the actual model. (Placing terrains in back of the model is difficult because the topo model has variable edges. I was thinking about involving aerial photos somehow however I feel this might not be the most realistic looking solution. Let me know what you think. Thanks!
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Play with your fog settings so that the horizon is fogged out or remove/cut ground and save as .png with alpha embedded if you want to mess around in PS.
Adjust your render window to fit better, or crop in post edit.There are so many other things one can do, but I'd need specifics of project and maybe even details as to whats beyond, maybe try using a Google earth image to continue the terrain.
I noticed some of the homes have sunk into the terrain.
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Pete, do you know of any Vue python scripts that will convert SU faceme components into Vue alpha plane "face camera" components?
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No need for a script, The image used for a SU face-me is normally .png, so in Vue create a new alpha plane, navigate to image, select fit and check 'billboard'...viola it's done and now you can even adjust the texture without it losing it's transparency.
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I am trying to convince the company I work for to go for VUE, but I need some other imput to back up my claim. They are under the impression that everything can be done in SU and Max. So I am just curious on everyone elses workflow and software collection. At my business (separate from this job) use several different software packages depending on the job, I am trying to get them to understand this. So if there is a way some of you could list your workflow that would be amazing! Thanks!
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Do you already own 3dsmax in the company? You could get the Vue xstream that acts as a stand alone and a plugin to 3ds max. Its more expensive though.
The thing that Vue gives beyond 3ds max alone, is incredible vegetation and ecosystems. So if you are wanting to do landscapes, I would say that Vue would be a better route. I am also trying to get my firm to invest in it for me
Chris
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Yes, thats what I've been telling them for a while, but they always seem to wait to long then no really realizes the learning curve on any program, especially a 3D Modeling / Rendering program.
Im just trying to get proof that people have used it the way we want to, thats the only way they will buy it
We do own 3DStudio MAX, about 50 licenses, and none of them get used cuz no one knows it well enough to do anything with it, I think the learning curve on VUE would be less than MAX, and I hear VUE works much better with Sketchup. Thanks Chris for your reply!
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Another question for you all.
How do you best model in SU to import into VUE. I think it would be good practice to name my components. It looks like it breaks every piece into a single component though. Any thoughts would be helpful though, thanks!
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