Itoo Software Forum

Forest Pack => Forest Pro (*) => Topic started by: eqko on May 28, 2018, 05:42:34 PM

Title: Drive Distribution map from Gradient map (seen at Total Chaos)
Post by: eqko on May 28, 2018, 05:42:34 PM

While attending Paul's MasterClass on Forest, he mentioned and showed a small bit about how
a gradient map by default wouldn't work as a distribution map (because of the inherent black/white where a pixel is either black or white)
and distributes objects based on that.

He then proceded showing how to use a gradient ramp map to drive the distribution of objects that distribute less and less as the gradient changes from black to white.
I can't for the life of me remember how he did it though.

I wrote a lot of what he said down, but THAT I failed to. And now i need it...

my problem in this case, I have a faced on which I want to distribute leds using forest, that dither out outwards to less distribution 
(for which I hope to use the gradient map)

The center is a full distribution, going outwards distribution lessens.

does that make sense ?
any help would be appreciated.

Title: Re: Drive Distribution map from Gradient map (seen at Total Chaos)
Post by: Rokas on May 28, 2018, 08:42:00 PM

I am not sure what workflow Paul has demonstrated, I will share mine:

You can modify distribution by adding a mask to "distribution".bmp map in composite map:
Click dense.bmp once window popups with many distribution maps- drag "distribution".bmp to Your slate material editor and adjust further:

(https://i.imgur.com/9J9gLC9.gif)

Title: Re: Drive Distribution map from Gradient map (seen at Total Chaos)
Post by: eqko on May 30, 2018, 08:48:50 AM

Hi ROkas, while certainly an applicable method. I would need the fallof of the density to be much larger ... over a much bigger range.
After some extra searching, I think this post & method (https://forum.itoosoft.com/forest-pro-(*)/density-threshold-grayscale-map/) is what Paul was referring to, which unfortunately is Forest 6

I'll see if I can get away with your method for now though.

Thanks a lot.

Title: Re: Drive Distribution map from Gradient map (seen at Total Chaos)
Post by: Rokas on May 30, 2018, 08:58:43 AM

I hope You get effect You are after.
If You have any issues please get back and we will try to help You out.

Title: Re: Drive Distribution map from Gradient map (seen at Total Chaos)
Post by: Paul Roberts on May 30, 2018, 11:37:44 AM

Hi,

It was indeed the Forest Effect based approach I mentioned (not the particles). The effect is included in Forest 6 only I'm afraid because it needs map support. There are a couple of other options too though. In this thread, you can find some extra info including a Substance map that will turn a greyscale map into a speckle map that can be used with Forest Pack's existing distribution methods.

https://forum.itoosoft.com/forest-pro-(*)/falloff-density-from-bitmap/msg15345/#msg15345
 (https://forum.itoosoft.com/forest-pro-(*)/falloff-density-from-bitmap/msg15345/#msg15345)
I hope that helps, please let us know if you have any further questions.

All the best,

Paul

Title: Re: Drive Distribution map from Gradient map (seen at Total Chaos)
Post by: eqko on May 30, 2018, 12:38:14 PM

The Substance map works like a charm and is good enough for what I need. Thanks Paul.
Looking forward to Forest 6 and all it's added effects & features.