3d trees - question

[SAR704]

I have thought several times about creating 3D Australian trees. However, one issue is the leaves. What is an efficient way to depict them so that look realistic? I don't want the tree itself to take weeks to create. 3D Australian trees would look fantastic in TS in my opinion.

I made use of the clear skies today to take some pics of gums, and having looked at them, they may be suitable for 3d design. But I need some tips on how to create them.

[SAR704]

Does anyone have any tips for poly count friendly branches/leaves?

[wacampbell]

I'll venture a response on this. This is how I like to do detailed trees.

For the trunk and major branches, I use a low poly mesh shape, basically hand built to follow a photo reference. For smaller branches I use flat panels mapped with an alpha image of branches. This example comes from one of the default Kuju trees.

TrunkBranches.jpg

The foliage consists of alpha images mapped on to flat panels that use the TrainViewFacingFlora shader. This shader gives you maximum density with minimal GPU overhead. The view-facing effect prevents the viewer from ever seeing any of the foliage 'edge on' which lets down many other methods of tree-making.

Folliage.jpg

This view-facing method of representing foliage isn't used much primarily because it doesn't generate shadows. People remember the early Kuju trees with the naked branch shadows. But with the TSX enhancements around 2012, DTG provided the TrainShadowOnly shader which can be used as a substitute for the missing shadows. You will see here I have added two horizontal 'shadow' planes to produce the foliage shadow under the tree.

shadows.jpg

Here's the finished tree.

Image1.jpg

I am not sure what CAD program you are using so I won't get more specific, but this may get you going in the right direction.

Wayne

[SAR704]

I use Train Sim Modeler (it was made for MSTS in 2002 I think), and then import the file into 3d Canvas 7. A TSW world plugin for 3DC would be great.

Thanks for the explanation regarding 3d trees.

[cnwfan]

Wayne - How did you get the RW Materials section to show up in your Blender materials area? And how does this work with Dom's exporter? Thanks!

[wacampbell]

Wayne - How did you get the RW Materials section to show up in your Blender materials area? And how does this work with Dom's exporter? Thanks!

I am using my own exporter, but I believe Dom's and the other CAD programs all have a way to set the shader.

[sumitsingh]

How much estimated polycount for the tree?

I need to make some for myself also.

[wacampbell]

How much estimated polycount for the tree?

I need to make some for myself also.

The example shown above has only 1500 triangles.