Speedtree into T3

[ratfugel]

Still trying to export ST trees successfully into TG3.  Tree visible in preview ,white blobs gone, but left with silhouette.  Not clever. (Obj. settings in ST as suggested).  However, I did notice that my files have the materials for leaves and bark, but that's where they seem to stay.  If I try to import them the tree image disappears from the preview.  Still not clever. However I did notice that when I was still at the white blob stage, just before the blobs appeared during rendering, the leaves etc seemed to be visible briefly in colour, then they got covered over with white during the remainder of the render.  As they say on the reports, 'must try harder'. Got the feeling I'm going to be restricted to rendering sand dunes and deserts at this rate.  Thank God for TreePro which I bought a few years ago.

rat.

[zaxxon]

Try going into the T3 material settings for the 'branches' and also copy that 'color' image into the 'opacity' slot and check the 'use opacity channel' box. The branches in ST often are what ST calls 'fronds' and allow a greater control over leaf/branch shaping, but need the opacity channel set.  If you're using the ST sample broadleaf I can screen copy all the relevant settings and post if the going is still not right. Also, the ST leaf asset .tga's have a green tinted background that via other export methods allows a greater level of detail  than the .obj format allows (transmission, texture coordinates); so maybe trying other assets might help, xfrog leaf/needle images work quite well in ST and can then be saved out as obj's to T3 (hopefully not violating any EULA if only used personally as a test).

[ratfugel]

Thanks again Zaxxon.  I think a screengrab might help whilst I'm at it (Just in case).  I'd like to get this right as SpeedTree is actually the best I've seen.  I've got TreeFrog and all it's variations coming out of my ears, but it's very labored to get just what you want.  ST seems to have got the thing sorted. If a clown like me could get ST into TG3  nicely, it might just encourage others to have a go.

rat.

[Upon Infinity]

Post the .tgd file, if you could, so we can get a look at it?

[bobbystahr]

bit late noticing this but fine work so far. just dl'd the evaluation version and doubt I'll be able to ever afford this at nearly 5 yards but am curious anyway..thanks for posting this....

[zaxxon]

Thanks again for the comments and the viewing. Here is a .tgc that will map the materials  to the ST sample tree named BroadLeaf_HighDetail. I've also attached a displacement map for the bark generated from the diffuse map to include in the T3 render (ST puts out normal maps). For Ratfugel: You should be able to load the sample tree into ST and output to T3 with the prior posted settings and then just 'insert' the .tgc into the internal network for the tree. I've had some issues with that, unless the original 'Parts Shader' is first disabled and then disconnected from the surface shader, then connect the new inserted Part Shader. Unfortunately you'll have to go thru and match the image files from wherever you have saved them, my computer's directory structure is a personal labyrinth .

Bobby, I feel your pain, even the least costly option is $495, and I've come to the conclusion that the 'Studio' version at $895 is the more robust option (ouch!).  Here's an image of the BroadLeaf sample in T3 as well.

[ratfugel]

Thanks Zaxxon.  The image proves it can be done. Nice.  Grateful for the Tgc etc. Working on it. Understand your remarks about program mods.  Will post later if it all goes as advertised. Ho,hum!

(Incidentally, I actually managed to get the trunk OK complete with correctly coloured bark.  As it was rendering I could see the leaf colouring before it got buried in the big white blobs).

I just gotta crack this otherwise my fearless leader will probably go off with the postman, and then where would we be.

rat.

[bobbystahr]

Was about to ask why it was a .tgc and not a .tgo then sussed out that'd be redistribution. Do y know if you can export from the Eval. version...to save me in and unin stalling it if you can't.

[masonspappy]

I'm not famliar with Speedtree, but if I was seeing big white blobs in xFrog it (usually) would mean that my image mask is missing when I was rendering in TG.

[ratfugel]

Now that Zaxxon's provided the info I was able to do the transfer.  As he said it's more than a bit tricky, but I'm quite pleased with how it's rendered. Thanks again for all the help, sorry to have been a nuisance getting you to do the detailed explanation for me.  Now I can tell the postman to sod off.

rat.

[mhaze]

Well done!  Nice looking tree.

[TheBadger]

Is that tree here to use for all, or do you need ST to make it work? It sure is pretty!

[zaxxon]

Ta-Daaa!  Looks great Ratfugel! I'm looking forward to your next creations with T3 & ST.  Michael, unfortunately ST has very similar restrictions to The Plant Factory when it comes to meshes produced with the software, so the trees cannot be shared (IDV the makers of ST have said they are reconsidering the policy though).  Bobby: the eval copy of ST will save out a decimated mesh as an .obj, however in my estimation it's a disappointing tease when used with Terragen.  Hey Rat, try the 'randomize' button (cleverly iconized as a set of dice) and save a few of those out to T3 using the tgc to set the materials, sheer tree madness! Here's a quick test with the sample ash tree 'randomized'.

[yossam]

Damn that looks good...............

[choronr]

That is impressive!