I've converted some xFrog trees via the following method and would like your comments / suggestions.
[edit - I will put some of my results here as I convert other xFrog trees]
1. Take the LWO xFrog tree and all associated files into PoseRay.
2. The branches are all adjusted by setting the UV for each to Cylindrical and x=0, y=0, z=1. Weld UV Coordinates is checked
3. Hit update under UV for each branch I change in #2.
4. Go to each Material in Basic Texture Properties and make sure the TIF files are used as the Bump Maps for all
5. Go to each leaf Material in Basic Texture Properties and make sure the TIF files are used Transparency Maps; invert mapping is unchecked
6. Make sure under Material / Finish that the Metallic checkbox is unchecked
7. Hit update under Basic Texture Properties for all changes in #4, #5 and #6
8. Export object as an object file
9. Bring into TG2 and adjust any changes that didn't go through, like displacement maps or Alpha maps
10. Make sure that under the Opacity tab for each texture associated with the leaf has Opacity set for 1, has the appropriate TIF file and has Use Alpha Channel checked
11. Once everything is completed in TG2 for the object, I save as a TGO.
Here is a leaf from the Horse Chestnut tree as a reference - http://www.hainaultforest.co.uk/Leaf%20Horse%20chestnut.JPG
This is the Horse Chestnut close-up. Comments welcome.
Any feedback on whether this looks like it's working or not? I'm not sure if anyone thought this was just instruction. It isn't. I'm not sure what I'm doing looks good. Your comments would be helpful, if you have time.
From what i can tell it looks nice. But you'd need to zoom out a bit more for me to see what the tree's like. If you're going for a "hidden behind foilage" look for your scene, this'll do nicely, (though the leefs do seem a bit too green and too light.)
leaves seem very believable to me !
would like to see more...
Thanks!
I'll post the full tree by tomorrow. I'm unable to access those files right now. As I convert, I'll post the full tree for assessments, unless it starts to get old.
i'll wait for tomorrow to see the entire tree :)
Wow, these look incredible! Very nice work.
Very nice job :).
Calico, lets see one of those trees from a distance now as a test, with some soft shadows on. Again, nice work.
Is it just me or are these yellow edges, which are naturally there on this Horse Chestnut's leaves, looking a bit unnatural? Opinions?
ummm.... yellow edges?
;)
Looks good to me, but what do I know.
:D
i see the yellow edges but as HB said, it looks real good !
Wow, looks very natural.
Maybe the green parts of the leaves are too saturated like Virex already said. Compared to the yellow edges there seems to be too much contrast.
Should point 3 read ". . . . . each branch I change in #2."
Leaves and tree look good to me, but then, as you might know by now, I'm kinda colour blind when it comes to greens/reds.
Thanks everyone for your comments. I did have a higher contrast when rendering, which works well for rocks and terrain but not so well with trees. I appreciate this feedback.
@schmeerlap - Thanks for the correction. Changed. ;D
any chance I get to use it??...
@dh - These are the retail version and this is in hopes that others will see if they want the xFrog retail based on what everyone sees I'm doing. As always, comments are welcome.
Here is the Shagbark Hickory.
Very good work Calico. Always great to see someone's workflow on the conversion process.
I've also had troubles converting models lately but now I've found a way to convert them correctly and it's almost similar to yours.
Have you ever tried replacing the original textures with some of your own?
I've recently downloaded a few very high-res bark-textures from http://www.cgtextures.com (http://www.cgtextures.com) and also created bump maps of them using NVidia's normal map tool.
Those high-res textures look really awesome in close-up with low displacement values.
You can also do the same for the leaf-textures too of course.
Regards, Martin
good !
A Pecan tree. I was in a hurry and cut off the top in the render. You can still see the cool leaves and bark.
@TU - Thanks. I had to change my process and have changed it to include removing the default metal effect in PoseRay. As a matter of fact, this one thing, among about 90% of the other steps I take to get the result I want came from Harvey Birdman. So, thanks to you, Harvey. Because of you, I'm not losing my mind trying to figure all of this out.
I have tried experimenting with different textures and I've done a little with the Nvidia filter for PS (and love it), but I have a lot more fun experimentation ahead.
Norway Spruce
European Beech
last one looks gooood !
are these all from one set???...they look great!
Very nice renders.
Yes, which set is this?
These are from the Basic set. I have 10 more to convert...of the middle instances. Then there are 40 more to convert, including the young and adult. Everything in this thread is from the middle instance of the tree.
Quote from: calico on January 03, 2008, 09:51:26 AM
These are from the Basic set. I have 10 more to convert...of the middle instances. Then there are 40 more to convert, including the young and adult. Everything in this thread is from the middle instance of the tree.
Wow, that takes a LOT of time ;D
what do you mean by basic set?
Me...want. If only they didn't cost so much. :'(
Nice trees by the way. ;D
http://www.xfrogdownloads.com/greenwebNew/products/libBasic.htm or the PDF --> http://xfrog.safe-ssl.net/PDF/Basic_XfrogPlants_EN.PDF
thanx calico!
You know, every time I see the title of this thread, I think it reads 'xFrog Confessions' instead of 'Conversions'. Catches my attention every time before I realize I'm misreading it. Which makes me wonder, what is it about the concept of an xFrog 'confession' that catches my attention so?
??? :D
Into the mind of Harvey Birdman
Quote from: Will on January 03, 2008, 05:01:28 PM
Into the mind of Harvey Birdman
... where the standard unit of measure isn't IQ, but torr...
;D
Quote from: Harvey Birdman on January 03, 2008, 04:57:35 PM
You know, every time I see the title of this thread, I think it reads 'xFrog Confessions' instead of 'Conversions'. Catches my attention every time before I realize I'm misreading it. Which makes me wonder, what is it about the concept of an xFrog 'confession' that catches my attention so?
??? :D
Perhaps there is something you would like to share with us. :) ;D :)
(...Subconsciously of course...)
guilty conscience perhaps?? ;)
Frogs. Hmmm. Seems like I remember there's an association between frogs and queens of the midnight pleasures...er, did I say that outloud?
Quote from: calico on January 03, 2008, 09:44:51 PM
Frogs. Hmmm. Seems like I remember there's an association between frogs and queens of the midnight pleasures...er, did I say that outloud?
Yup - see, this is what I get for sharing the workings of my twisted mind.
:D
Australian Black Pine [edit-now with soft lighting]
Weeping Willow [edit-now with soft lighting]
Western Red Cedar
European Mountain Ash
Lombardy Poplar