Itoo Software Forum

Forest Pack => Forest Pro (*) => Topic started by: John.McWaters on April 26, 2020, 06:23:50 PM

Title: Scattering on stacked surfaces not working in XY surface mode
Post by: John.McWaters on April 26, 2020, 06:23:50 PM
I have a group of surfaces that I need to scatter some leaves on that are part of a spiral stair, so some surfaces are stacked. I have each surface broken into its own object and the surface mode set to XY with randomized stack selected. However, it's not behaving correctly, as I still cannot get objects to scatter on portions of the surfaces that are below others.

Is there anything else I need to check on that would make it work correctly?

Thank you.
Title: Re: Scattering on stacked surfaces not working in XY surface mode
Post by: Rokas on April 26, 2020, 06:43:02 PM
Hi.

It should work:
(https://i.imgur.com/FJZhjw9.png)
If You could attach Your scene or send (https://forum.itoosoft.com/faq/how-to-send-a-file-to-itoo-software/) it to us, we would check it for You.

Title: Re: Scattering on stacked surfaces not working in XY surface mode
Post by: John.McWaters on April 26, 2020, 07:44:54 PM
Thank you for your quick answer. I still cannot get it to work correctly. It's probably due to a dumb mistake on my end. I've attached my file for you to review.

Thank you.

Title: Re: Scattering on stacked surfaces not working in XY surface mode
Post by: John.McWaters on April 26, 2020, 09:49:00 PM
It looks like when you enabled density falloff, it disabled the stacked surface feature.
Title: Re: Scattering on stacked surfaces not working in XY surface mode
Post by: Rokas on April 27, 2020, 09:35:14 AM
Hi
Thanks for the provided scene. That's caused by features working with area "edges" - like the Falloff feature and the Edge Boundary Checking mode. If you need to enable these, using the UV mode would be recommendable. If that's not necessary, using the Point Boundary Checking mode and disabling the Falloff feature (using Material IDs might be an option) will allow using these "stacked surfaces" in the XY mode.

I hope that clears it up and in case of any further question(s) or doubt(s), please don't hesitate to contact us. Have a nice week.

Best regards,
Title: Re: Scattering on stacked surfaces not working in XY surface mode
Post by: John.McWaters on April 27, 2020, 02:16:25 PM
Hi
Thanks for the provided scene. That's caused by features working with area "edges" - like the Falloff feature and the Edge Boundary Checking mode. If you need to enable these, using the UV mode would be recommendable. If that's not necessary, using the Point Boundary Checking mode and disabling the Falloff feature (using Material IDs might be an option) will allow using these "stacked surfaces" in the XY mode.

I hope that clears it up and in case of any further question(s) or doubt(s), please don't hesitate to contact us. Have a nice week.

Best regards,

I would like to have some kind of density falloff as it moves away from the edge to make the appearance that leaves and pine needles have gathered toward the edges of the surface. Is there a method you would recommend that I could have that type of falloff while using UV mode?
Title: Re: Scattering on stacked surfaces not working in XY surface mode
Post by: Rokas on April 27, 2020, 04:39:10 PM
Hi

In this case I would suggest collapsing all stairs to one object,
Apply UVW map:
(https://i.imgur.com/ebwhYdY.png)

Add Density by Map effect:
(https://i.imgur.com/JYJvUUn.png)

And assign a Gradient map(Radial):
(https://i.imgur.com/ETLUwtc.png)

Final effect looks like this:
(https://i.imgur.com/0dfPH3b.png)


Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Scattering on stacked surfaces not working in XY surface mode
Post by: John.McWaters on April 28, 2020, 04:06:45 PM
Thank you Rokas!

I ended up creating two Forest Pack objects—the second one being only on the lower treads of the spiral stair that lie underneath surfaces above. This way, I could still use the density fall off parameters in XY mode, and only have to deal with two FP objects. If I had a long spiral stair or several stacked building floor plates, I could see how this would be a cumbersome solution though.

I appreciate you help!