Terragen 2 vs Vue Infinite 7.5

[macmapper]

I am new to Terragen and am thinking of getting the full Terragen 2 bundle for Mac but am trying to collect information to make an informed decision about what product to buy.  I am familiar with Bryce and e-on's Vue D'Espirit software but am just getting familiar with Terragen.   I would appreciate any comparisons or comments about Terragen 2 vs e-on's Vue Infinite 7.5 for the Mac?   Both seem to be very powerful.   The xFrog plants and Terragen clouds seem to be the best bar none.  What about animation?  I know that Terragen 2's animation module is coming along and has lots of promise.  Also, multi-core rendering is a plus.  I think Infinite can do this, but just for panorama rendering on the Mac.     Can Terragen handle other GIS file types such as ESRI Shapefiles, KML files for Google Earth and GPX files for GPS data?  Can it handle vectors in general?

In any case, any thoughts from users of both systems would be great.  I am leaning towards Terragen, hence the posting here, but wanted to get as much input as I can.

Thanks!

[rcallicotte]

The only concern I have is where I can't really help you - I don't know Vue or its future innovative plans or progressions.

I can tell you what I know - Terragen 2 has more practical applications for 3D than anything out there in the world-creation landscape (that I know about) that will allow real world space measurements to almost an infinite number of objects in space (depending on memory) and can create realistic terrain with one of the best renderers ever.

[Henry Blewer]

The renderer surpasses many 3D programs available, commercial or open source. This program is still being evolved, but already has tremendous power. The open node network provides nearly unlimited creative options.

The price is also very reasonable. Getting the program now would lower the cost of the future upgrades when further releases beyond the current version (2.0___) are available.

I had World Construction Set on my Amiga. I have used Bryce, and I have seen the results from Vue. Terragen 2 is by far the most capable software of this type available.

[jo]

Hi,

Can Terragen handle other GIS file types such as ESRI Shapefiles, KML files for Google Earth and GPX files for GPS data?  Can it handle vectors in general?

Unfortunately not. I'm slowly working my up to adding vector support and support for ESRI shapefiles and GPS data, but I can't give a realistic estimate of when that might be available. We do have some basic georeferencing tools now so if you were to rasterise a shapefile you could use it, but it's not the same as using vectors of course.

Regards,

Jo

[macmapper]

Thanks everyone for your feedback and comments.   Much appreciated and helpful.  I have placed my order for T2 with the xFrog plants and look forward to diving in.   Planetside gave me some excellent customer service which definitely added to my decision to make the purchase.   I know that building software is not easy much less a business around it.  I know Planetside is small, but that is so much better than a large, over managed company and so I really appreciate the time they take to answer questions and help new customers. I makes a BIG difference.   And it looks like T2 has the best technology which does not hurt either!  I look forward to getting up to speed through this Forum which seems to have a dedicated and knowledgeable user group. 

Cheers!

[FrankB]

And we are looking forward to have you join the TG2 gang, seeing your renders in the future and get in touch frequently through these forums :-)

Cheers,
Frank

[Henry Blewer]

Everyone here is helpful. Sometimes a little silly. We all strive to make the best images we can. This program has a steep learning curve, but it is possible to make stunning images using quite simple, basic techniques.

[Aagam]

This program has a steep learning curve, but it is possible to make stunning images using quite simple, basic techniques.

This is precisely why I love Terragen. I don't have a lot of time to play around with the node network, but I'm still able to make pretty decent stuff while just playing with the sliders.

[Goms]

If you are motivated enough its absolutely the right decision. TG2 is the most powerful Program i know so far.
There is imho nothing thats not possible. Even if there are some things that would be very hard at the moment.

[macmapper]

Thanks for the welcomes and comments!  My copy of TG2 is on its way!  I am sure I will have many questions along the way so I appreciate having this forum.   And people here seem NICE which is always a welcome thing on forums.

[dandelO]

And people here seem NICE which is always a welcome thing on forums.

It's all feigned nicities in here, Macmapper. We don't like anyone.
Especially when they quote the words 'Vue' and 'Terragen' in the same sentence.

I joke! Welcome to the TG forums, we are a happy, friendly bunch, any questions, just ask. You'll be surprised how much help is on offer in here and at the speed and efficiency that people will be willing to help with any of your TG woes.

You'll also be flabberghasted at the possibilities you can unlock with this fantastic, far-more-than-a-landscape-generator, program.

Glad you've jumped in. Stick around!

[tenth]

T2 is T2 - and Vue 7.5 is Vue 7.5 ....

Sounds stupid, i know ... but that's the way it is !

If you are out for MOSTLY producing hyperrealistic landscaping scenes, than T2 is the most powerful, but for sure not too easy to handle program in that genre.

Since Vue 7.5 now includes a planetary procedural model, it's moving even closer to the possibilities of T2 in that area.

On the other hand, Vue 7.5 - and Vue series overall - gives you one of the easiest to handle programs in that area, to come up with great looking results with a short time
of training.
Plus - Vue can be used not only for realistic landscaping, any kind of objects can be included easily - retexturing is possible with many options - it got a very detailed and
powerful function editor, which can be used in an easy, but in extremely complicated combinations, too.
The graphic styles, which can be produced with Vue are basicly endless - realistic, comic-like, surreal or whatever you like - it's extremely versatile.

I really like the extrem quality of T2 for mainly landscaping - there it probably will be unbeaten, if handled by an expert user - but it can't replace the versatility of Vue
in many graphic styles and expressions ...

You just have to know, where your priority lies - for that i own both programs, so have all options available all the time ...

But that's logically only my humble opinion   

[macmapper]

Thanks tenth for you take on this.  Good to know.

[mbunds]

T2 is T2 - and Vue 7.5 is Vue 7.5 ....

...If you are out for MOSTLY producing hyperrealistic landscaping scenes, than T2 is the most powerful, but for sure not too easy to handle program in that genre...

Since Vue 7.5 now includes a planetary procedural model, it's moving even closer to the possibilities of T2 in that area.

On the other hand, Vue 7.5 - and Vue series overall - gives you one of the easiest to handle programs in that area, to come up with great looking results with a short time
of training.
Plus - Vue can be used not only for realistic landscaping, any kind of objects can be included easily - retexturing is possible with many options - it got a very detailed and
powerful function editor, which can be used in an easy, but in extremely complicated combinations, too.
The graphic styles, which can be produced with Vue are basicly endless - realistic, comic-like, surreal or whatever you like - it's extremely versatile.

I really like the extrem quality of T2 for mainly landscaping - there it probably will be unbeaten, if handled by an expert user - but it can't replace the versatility of Vue
in many graphic styles and expressions ...

You just have to know, where your priority lies - for that i own both programs, so have all options available all the time ...

I agree with this assessment entirely, but I might add that VUE does have some very good animation features that would be extremely difficult to implement in TG2, such as wind effects on vegetation, camera paths and general animation dope curves with auto easing, spline adjustments, etc. I just wish VUE was as adept as TG2 at handling large terrain fields without obvious tiling, even when using procedural textures...Or better yet, TG2 with advanced animation functionality... 



I have attached a frame of an animation we are doing for a cartoon entirely modeled, animated and rendered in Vue. I am disappointed in the quality compared to TG2, but we needed the animation features. This scene from the Salad Fingers feature is intentionally dark and dreary.

[Oshyan]

Oooo, Salad Fingers.

We're working on the animation functionality, and we'll be adding several of those features for the final version of the Animation Module. We don't have immediate plans to add a "wind" function, or any other canned animation motions, but motion editing will be significantly enhanced.

- Oshyan