Using 2D Objects for HUGE populations

[cbalaskas]

Yep, perfectly square. Not sure the TGD dimensions. They were 1X1 in Wings 3D if that helps. I've used a square texture at 1k size to determine field of view once or twice. Pretty handy.

[bigben]

I'd guess it's 10m from a quick comparison with my tree model... (but that could have been wrong  )

I think the luminosity image is a better idea.  The luminosity could be adjusted to alter the average tone of the tree based on the angle between the camera and the sun (which could also be animated).

As the two faces are identical you could use a single shader in the object.
[attachimg=#1]

There is a small glitch at the top of the object, but you won't see it at the distance that the object would normally be used. In the render below you can see the small glitch above the tree. The inset is different version of the tree image cropped closer to the tree.

[moodflow]

Would one of you have a single 2D face tgo to share?  It would be just like the file cbalaskas posted, but with only one 2d billboard, rather than 2.  I've tried creating one in Wings 3d, but the image doesn't 'map' properly to the 2d face and I can't find a way to adjust this in TG2.

[bigben]

You could use this TGO and just set the opacity of one of the faces to 0.

[moodflow]

You could use this TGO and just set the opacity of one of the faces to 0.

Good idea, I didnt think of that!

Many thanks