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    Low Poly Trees - Tree Factory 2

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    • RichardR Offline
      Richard
      last edited by

      @bigstick said:

      Richard, do you still have this file anywhere, or didn't you get around to uploading it?

      I'm logged in but don't see any attachments...

      No mate, one of those projects on the backburner for now!

      [BUILTBRAND.COM.AU](http://builtbrand.com.au/)

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      • bigstickB Offline
        bigstick
        last edited by

        Okay, no problem 😄 I have taken your original Tree Factory file and added a larger range of branch sizes and types to it.

        The idea is to try to expand on it to duplicate even more types of trees with a greater degree of individuality and flexibility.

        If you look at branches (I've been doing a lot of this - it's winter in the UK right now and, most of the trees are bare) you'll see that some are straight, some are curved, and some are somewhat twisted.

        I'm building a series of branch types that people can use to simulate these. I also tend to use single texture-mapped rectangles, or texture-mapped folded planes (for leaflets) instead of leaf-shaped geometry. This reduces poly count.

        Essentially it is the same as your (old) approach, which I think is very logical and simplifies creation.

        I'll do a little more work before I upload it, but I'm quite happy to send you what I have beforehand. If you have some useful observations based on what you have already done, I could implement them.

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        • RichardR Offline
          Richard
          last edited by

          Your right when you say OLD mate, I'd only just started using SU then - computers in fact! Hence why the leaves are poly - I didn't quite understand textures and possibilities.

          I look forward to seeing what you've added!!! To be honest the original tree factory when I look back is just a broken down shite tree.

          I've come up with some simple solutions to positioning and orientating all the elements that will really make it a simple process. Where I stopped was with the mapping of the trunks and branches, I played with TomTom's tools and made some observations that would solve this issue, just haven't got back to it!

          Naked trees and here dead ones are great opportunities for studying branch forms!!

          [BUILTBRAND.COM.AU](http://builtbrand.com.au/)

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          • mitcorbM Offline
            mitcorb
            last edited by

            How about this example from Krisidious a few years back?
            http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=179&t=25435&p=218427&hilit=jagungal+gum#p218427

            I take the slow, deliberate approach in my aimless wandering.

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            • bigstickB Offline
              bigstick
              last edited by

              @ mitcorb - what have you been smoking? Can I have some please?

              Richard, I don't really bother too much with mapping. As long as you get the trunk right (I use Whaat's UV plugin for this and use cylindrical mapping - but only if I need it) you don't really notice the mapping on the branches by the time you add the foliage.

              This is all based on the principle of building trees to for 3d entourage to decorate scenes, not to render in their own right. In this instance, you would need to texture map the branches properly.

              I hope to add leaf options for conifers as well as deciduous trees. I don't think I'm even 50% done yet. Even with deciduous trees there are compound and single leaves, and clusters. Each will need their own approach. Even the way leaves hang varies. Some droop, some are held erect, some simply project. Some are grouped symmetrically, others alternate. So far I have increased the number and variety of branches, next I'm going to work on leaf options.

              I'll post something when I have done more on leaves.

              I'm conscious of my ignorance about the subject, so I'm learning as I go. I have actually bought 3 books to help me with this!

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              • mitcorbM Offline
                mitcorb
                last edited by

                Bigstick:
                Don't blame that on me, Krisidious posted it.

                I take the slow, deliberate approach in my aimless wandering.

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                • Alan FraserA Offline
                  Alan Fraser
                  last edited by

                  Designing complex trees in SU is possible. The gum tree would present some problems, but is not impossible. I did make this mature Live Oak a few years ago...complete with Spanish Moss. The leafy version is just under 5000 faces, the bare branch version is only half that.

                  lo.jpg
                  lo2.jpg

                  3D Figures
                  Were you required to walk 500 miles? Were you advised to walk 500 more?
                  You could be entitled to compensation. Call the Pro Claimers now!

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                  • RichardR Offline
                    Richard
                    last edited by

                    Wow - that's stunning Alan

                    [BUILTBRAND.COM.AU](http://builtbrand.com.au/)

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                    • bigstickB Offline
                      bigstick
                      last edited by

                      Hmm, a larger version image would be good... I'm not sure if there are some weird things going on, or it's just an optical illusion.

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                      • Alan FraserA Offline
                        Alan Fraser
                        last edited by

                        Big enough?
                        lo.jpg

                        Blue Gum
                        blue gum.jpg

                        Detail
                        bg2.jpg

                        3D Figures
                        Were you required to walk 500 miles? Were you advised to walk 500 more?
                        You could be entitled to compensation. Call the Pro Claimers now!

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                        • bigstickB Offline
                          bigstick
                          last edited by

                          Oh yes - very nice work Alan! I was expecting it to be good because I've seen and bought some of your form fonts stuff in the past.
                          Don't know what was going on with the previous image, looked a little odd to me.

                          I have attached some images of the first two trees I have built using a modified version of Richard's TreeFactory.

                          Needs a little more work (I want to make it so that I have enough components and variations to build all types of trees) but it seems to be coming along nicely.

                          Render time in Podium (on my MacBook Pro) is quite good.

                          Acer_campestre 2012-02-04 17225100000.png

                          Magnolia 2012-02-05 09390800000.png
                          Completed Magnolia Grandiflora, probably needs more and larger flowers

                          Magnolia 2012-02-05 09143900000.png
                          WIP version before the trunk was textured.

                          When I'm done, I'll upload the file here.

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                          • bigstickB Offline
                            bigstick
                            last edited by

                            Updated file uploaded. I'm sure many of you can improve on my efforts 😄

                            I have optimised the file to make it easier to swap out components to change the leaves and branches.


                            TREE FACTORY 2_1_4.skp.zip

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                            • majidM Offline
                              majid
                              last edited by

                              I was missing this topic.... nice factory 😄

                              My inspiring A, B, Sketches book: https://sketchucation.com/shop/books/intermediate/2612-alphabet-inspired-sketches--inspiring-drills-for-architects--3d-artists-and-designers-

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                              • RichardR Offline
                                Richard
                                last edited by

                                I'd love the time to get back onto this Majid, I did work out a funky way to arrange geometry that made rearrangement of any tree a breeze!

                                [BUILTBRAND.COM.AU](http://builtbrand.com.au/)

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                                • majidM Offline
                                  majid
                                  last edited by

                                  I always admire you being so smart Rhichard!

                                  My inspiring A, B, Sketches book: https://sketchucation.com/shop/books/intermediate/2612-alphabet-inspired-sketches--inspiring-drills-for-architects--3d-artists-and-designers-

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                                  • majidM Offline
                                    majid
                                    last edited by

                                    Dear Richard. It seems that I've lost Tree Factory V.1. Do you mind sharing it again please?

                                    My inspiring A, B, Sketches book: https://sketchucation.com/shop/books/intermediate/2612-alphabet-inspired-sketches--inspiring-drills-for-architects--3d-artists-and-designers-

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                                    • majidM Offline
                                      majid
                                      last edited by

                                      Is the project stopped? any improvements?

                                      My inspiring A, B, Sketches book: https://sketchucation.com/shop/books/intermediate/2612-alphabet-inspired-sketches--inspiring-drills-for-architects--3d-artists-and-designers-

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