Itoo Software Forum

Forest Pack => Forest Pro (*) => Topic started by: BKE on May 08, 2012, 11:23:56 PM

Title: Mulch Planting Areas
Post by: BKE on May 08, 2012, 11:23:56 PM
Has anyone used Forest Pack Pro to 'paint' mulch planting areas onto a surface? Is this feasable? ???  Advisable?  ???
I can see 'painting' a planting area.. adding mulch to it, then adding the various bushes & flowers. It would be a nice workflow.
Title: Re: Mulch Planting Areas
Post by: iToo on May 09, 2012, 09:49:13 AM

We have not tried it, but depending of the mulch type probably would be more efficient to use a texture. I note the idea for next sample scenes. ;)

Title: Re: Mulch Planting Areas
Post by: BKE on May 09, 2012, 12:42:19 PM
Thanks for the response, Carlos. I will keep my eye out for that! If I get a chance to experiment, I will share, too.
Your response sparked a new thought.  :o I really like the Paint/Spline command. Would it be possible to have that painted area define a different texture? In other words: I can have my entire landscape area 'grass', then paint planting areas with Forest Pro, and, within Forest Pro, assign a 'mulch' texture to the painted area.
Thanks again.
Title: Re: Mulch Planting Areas
Post by: iToo on May 09, 2012, 01:46:19 PM

No, it is not possible because Forest doesn't render textures, only items. But you would convert the Paint area to a spline (there is a button in the Area properties for that), and then use it to modify the surface or create a new one with the right material.

Title: Re: Mulch Planting Areas
Post by: BKE on May 09, 2012, 02:33:57 PM
Thanks again, Carlos. That is a fine solution. I am an Architectural Designer. My main software is REVIT, but I use Max/Vray/Forest Pack more & more these days. I know it is no longer a Forest Pack question, but could you please tell me (a 3ds Max neophyte) how to use the spline that I create in Forest Pack to redefine a surface texture? I have attempted to do this & I have searched the web,etc., but with no success.  :-\
Title: Re: Mulch Planting Areas
Post by: iToo on May 09, 2012, 03:21:11 PM

You would use a ShapeMerge compound object for that.

Title: Re: Mulch Planting Areas
Post by: George on May 11, 2012, 07:39:50 AM

You would use a ShapeMerge compound object for that.



Let me suggest a better (commercial) alternative (produces cleaner result) - http://www.vg2max.spb.ru/InsertShape.htm (http://www.vg2max.spb.ru/InsertShape.htm)
Title: Re: Mulch Planting Areas
Post by: BKE on May 21, 2012, 07:01:51 PM
"Let me suggest a better (commercial) alternative (produces cleaner result) - http://www.vg2max.spb.ru/InsertShape.htm (http://www.vg2max.spb.ru/InsertShape.htm)"

Thanks, George. I am using the trial - without success.  ??? I think I need a step-by-step. Thanks again..
Title: Re: Mulch Planting Areas
Post by: BKE on May 22, 2012, 01:38:19 PM
"Let me suggest a better (commercial) alternative (produces cleaner result) - http://www.vg2max.spb.ru/InsertShape.htm (http://www.vg2max.spb.ru/InsertShape.htm)"

Thanks, George. I am using the trial - without success.  ??? I think I need a step-by-step. Thanks again..

Thanks again, George. I just want to pass along that the commercial solution listed above corrupted my scene and I had issues until I removed it as a plug-in. Carlos from iToo support, as well as this tutorial: http://www.cod.edu/people/faculty/pearson/Images/2220-exercise8.pdf (http://www.cod.edu/people/faculty/pearson/Images/2220-exercise8.pdf) has helped.

I used to subdivide my planting regions in REVIT.. but I did not want those additional details in my working drawings. Now I am able to paint my planting/mulch areas right within Max. ;D
Title: Re: Mulch Planting Areas
Post by: George on May 30, 2012, 10:03:18 AM
That's terrible news about InsertShape!  :-[