Itoo Software Forum

Forest Pack => Forest Pro (*) => Topic started by: CO2263 on July 18, 2013, 10:42:33 AM

Title: forest objects following spline-pipe
Post by: CO2263 on July 18, 2013, 10:42:33 AM

Hi,
Just wondering if its possible to scatter forest over spline-pipe, so they follow the spline direction. Did some test with forest but no success.
See the picture attached what I did manually (one segment was cloned over circle, two circles were put in group, then group were cloned over spline using 3dmax spacing tool)
here is the example of the group http://shot.qip.ru/00c3Bs-3ZCpdjDXG/ (http://shot.qip.ru/00c3Bs-3ZCpdjDXG/)

Is it possible to get same result with forest? Maybe I missing some settings.

THx

Title: Re: forest objects following spline-pipe
Post by: iToo on July 18, 2013, 11:10:24 AM

I think it could be done using UV Surfaces. The trick is setting correctly the UV coordinates.

We have a similar sample image in the Surface help reference:

http://www.itoosoft.com/forestpack/reference/refsurface.php (http://www.itoosoft.com/forestpack/reference/refsurface.php)

(http://cdn.itoosoft.com/img/forest/ref/uv_scales1.png)

Title: Re: forest objects following spline-pipe
Post by: CO2263 on July 18, 2013, 12:31:01 PM

Thanks a lot!
that did the trick!

now I have the next issue - how to make a proper segment
using grid pattern I got overlapped corners - http://shot.qip.ru/00c3Bs-4ZCpdjDXL/ (http://shot.qip.ru/00c3Bs-4ZCpdjDXL/)

or big gaps - http://shot.qip.ru/00c3Bs-4ZCpdjDXL/ (http://shot.qip.ru/00c3Bs-4ZCpdjDXL/)

any advice? thanks

Title: Re: forest objects following spline-pipe
Post by: iToo on July 18, 2013, 01:13:09 PM

Although all depends of the UV coordinates, probably this method is not enough precise to get an exact alignment. Increasing the segmentation of the underlying surface may help, but only to certain point.

Have you considered using RailClone ?. With a couple of nested objects, it's possible to build the full object using only the spline. If that helps, i include a sample scene using both methods (Forest and RailClone).

We used the same technique in this demo video (for RC 1.x, but applicable to RC2):

RailClone 1 tech demo - Generative Components (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVec3zyw6VM#ws)

Title: Re: forest objects following spline-pipe
Post by: CO2263 on July 18, 2013, 05:34:46 PM

great!
I just changed map tiling on the pipe (devided by 2) - http://shot.qip.ru/00c3Bs-4ZCpdjDY0/ (http://shot.qip.ru/00c3Bs-4ZCpdjDY0/)
railclone is not the solution
I need to animate pipe radius and forest must follow these changes (this will be blood vessel expansion/contraction)

Title: Re: forest objects following spline-pipe
Post by: iToo on July 18, 2013, 06:09:56 PM

I'm glad the problem is solved.
Just for info: you can animate the circle's radius in the RailClone sample, to get the same effect.

Title: Re: forest objects following spline-pipe
Post by: CO2263 on July 18, 2013, 08:09:50 PM

thanks!
yes, I saw the video-explanation you attached - but with railclone when you change radius the number of segments grows as well

with forest over pipe - you change the radius but UV mapping still same, so the number of segments
I like this solution, thanks !