[Plugin][$] 3D Tree Maker - New version 1.10.14

TIG · 15 Feb 2014, 22:19

There are three rb files that should never be in the Plugins folder.
They belong in the Tools folder, where SketchUp puts them as you install it.
They are:
extensions.rb sketchup.rb langhandler.rb

kaas · 14 Apr 2014, 13:18

Hello Pascal,

I like your 3d tree maker plugin. Great plugin and I'm having fun with the licensed version.

I'm trying to make a (low poly) maple tree. It would be great if it would be possible to control the length of the branches relative to the position on the trunk (something like the options for 'leaves position' maybe). For instance, the upper branches could be less in length compared to the lower branches. There are all kinds of controls for the decrease of angles and width but maybe a decrease for the length of the branches could be possible?

A decrease in size of the leaves relative to the position on the branch might be a nice idea as well (advanced section).

Finally, it seems like the vertices of the trunk are not welded together somehow. If I do a LightUp rendering I get artifacts on the trunk. If I use the weld plugin on the trunk the artifacts are gone. The branches seem not affected by this.

Greetings, Max

edit: rephrased some sentences and added last two sections.

ppoublan · 11 May 2014, 09:09

@kaas said:

Hello Pascal,
I like your 3d tree maker plugin. Great plugin and I'm having fun with the licensed version.

I'm trying to make a (low poly) maple tree. It would be great if it would be possible to control the length of the branches relative to the position on the trunk (something like the options for 'leaves position' maybe). For instance, the upper branches could be less in length compared to the lower branches. There are all kinds of controls for the decrease of angles and width but maybe a decrease for the length of the branches could be possible?

It should be achievable using the branches shape parameters. here are some samples, it make changes in length and number of branches based on their position amongst the parent branch. But i can think of more fine parameters.

@kaas said:

A decrease in size of the leaves relative to the position on the branch might be a nice idea as well (advanced section).

Yes, definitively something I will add. Good idea.

@kaas said:

Finally, it seems like the vertices of the trunk are not welded together somehow. If I do a LightUp rendering I get artifacts on the trunk. If I use the weld plugin on the trunk the artifacts are gone. The branches seem not affected by this.

Is this only when you render or also within Sketchup ? I will have a look at the plugin you mentioned to see what it do and if I could change the way material is applied to branches.

I'm preparing a version with new improvements regarding managing multiple trees in a model, with grass freatures.
Cant wait to show you a preview result :

Yours
Pascal

kaas · 11 May 2014, 11:47

@unknownuser said:

Is this only when you render or also within Sketchup?
It's not visible in SketchUp but only during the LightUp walkthrough (LightUp runs in Sketchup - no seperate program).

@unknownuser said:

I'm preparing a version with new improvements regarding managing multiple trees in a model, with grass features. Cant wait to show you a preview result

Looks great!

bigstick · 11 May 2014, 17:48

This is truly fantastic - epic work Pascal! The improvement from version 1 (which was good) is immense.

I'm going to buy this, it's what I've been waiting for for a long time!

ppoublan · 12 May 2014, 22:36

@bigstick said:

This is truly fantastic - epic work Pascal! The improvement from version 1 (which was good) is immense.

I'm going to buy this, it's what I've been waiting for for a long time!

Just released this night Version 1.10 on my website:
See : http://www.3darcstudio.com/downloads-files/24-3d-tree-maker-sketchup-plugin.html
with new features including grass. Will update asap Sketchucation and Sketchup Extension sites.
Yours
Pascal

ppoublan · 13 May 2014, 06:11

@kaas said:

A decrease in size of the leaves relative to the position on the branch might be a nice idea as well (advanced section).

Available in last version 1.10

@kaas said:

Finally, it seems like the vertices of the trunk are not welded together somehow. If I do a LightUp rendering I get artifacts on the trunk. If I use the weld plugin on the trunk the artifacts are gone. The branches seem not affected by this.

Hi Max,
Could you post tree sample (skp) here in order to try to debug ? I was not able to reproduce the problem. Will do more tests.
Yours
Pascal

kaas · 13 May 2014, 08:26

@ppoublan said:

Hi Max,Could you post tree sample (skp) here in order to try to debug ? I was not able to reproduce the problem. Will do more tests.

Hi Pascal, Just installed and tried the new plugin. Tried a few trees and can't reproduce the problem as well...Strange.. Will try more after I'm back from a trip abroad.

Max

jaceguay · 13 May 2014, 13:57

Very nice plugin, Thanks. All I need now it´s a people maker

bigstick · 13 May 2014, 15:04

Great work with the updated version Pascal!

One suggestion however, when inserting multiple instances of the same plant/tree, what would be very cool would be an option in the 'Settings' dialog to randomly scale and rotate each new instance.

With 3D plants, you can naturally get a degree of variation just by rotating and scaling components. The benefit of this is that it works with instancing for render engines, and keeps the file size down

Bob James · 13 May 2014, 16:26

Totally, unequivocally, without question, absolutely OUTSTANDING

Note: Does not work if loaded into "additional folder". Needs to reside in the SU standard plugin location.

dtrarch · 13 May 2014, 17:26

Great work Pascal
A quantum leap for in-SU bushing up.
Really quite amazing and only 10 Euro.

Thank you

dtr

ppoublan · 13 May 2014, 17:31

@bob james said:

Note: Does not work if loaded into "additional folder". Needs to reside in the SU standard plugin location.

Hi Bob,
Thanks for your support. Yes you're right regarding plugin files location that needs to stay within default Sketchup Plugins dir. I started to make changes to fix that, but was blocked by limits of .rbs files (scrambled scripts) that does not work the same way as non scrambled scripts with ruby Files/Dirs functions. Hope to find a workaround for future versions. Will have to get help from the developers forum experts...
Yours
Pascal

ppoublan · 14 May 2014, 17:13

@bigstick said:

One suggestion however, when inserting multiple instances of the same plant/tree, what would be very cool would be an option in the 'Settings' dialog to randomly scale and rotate each new instance.

This is the way it works. When you place multiple trees, or duplicate (right click a tree to access this feature), new instances are randomly rotated around their z axis and randomly scaled. The only thing is that the "amplitude" of scale cant be chosen.
+1 on my "todo" list

Yours
Pascal

lebsays · 22 May 2014, 20:10

Just got this PLugin today... and it may be my favorite ever!!! I'm always struggling to find good trees when I'm modeling landscapes.

Can I turn the grass proxy on and off?

If the grass is turned on proxy will it render in photo-realistic renderers?

ppoublan · 23 May 2014, 21:23

@lebsays said:

Just got this PLugin today... and it may be my favorite ever!!! I'm always struggling to find good trees when I'm modeling landscapes.

@lebsays said:

Can I turn the grass proxy on and off?

Yes, grass is just handled like other trees and plants

@lebsays said:

If the grass is turned on proxy will it render in photo-realistic renderers?

No. But :

renders that can use SU components will only take one copy/export of one grass and use it to build all the grass plants into the final render.
for those not taking into account SU components, you may sometimes "tcheat" them by exporting once the grass object and separately the components places/scales (like for Octane now).
Check the forum of your prefered render to learn more on that.
Yours
Pascal

matt.gordon320 · 13 Jun 2014, 21:22

This plugin is absolutely amazing, a steal at 10 euro, and once of my top favorites! I wanted to throw a feature request out there that might be a little odd (or specialist) but figured it might be helpful for certain types of plants.

I'd love to see an eventual option for root systems, and especially on option for Aerial root systems like on the mangrove or banyan trees.

I do a lot of work in China's more tropical regions, and the clients would absolutely love local species in the models.

Thanks again for an incredible plugin!

ppoublan · 14 Jun 2014, 10:01

@matt.gordon320 said:

I'd love to see an eventual option for root systems, and especially on option for Aerial root systems like on the mangrove or banyan trees.

Hi Matt,
This is a good idea. I've seen this feature in more complex trees/plants generators.
I will look how to develop it, but it can take me long. Will try.

A kind of cheat/workaround to achieve this with the current version may be :

create your root system as a second tree
when happy with the result, flip it vertically, scale, and place under the first tree.

Here is an example :

Yours
Pascal

pilou · 14 Jun 2014, 10:45

Works fine with LightUp!

And the fabulous Rail road system by Eneroth!

laudhi · 14 Jun 2014, 17:11

i wish there is more option for vine/ivy.it will be amazing....