Hi everybody :
I need some advice in reference to importing 3D plants and trees into a project. I experimented with one of my previous projects, and I noticed that it took a number of seconds to get it imported. Probably because of the amount of data ? I guess I could use the 2D versions, but they seem flat and don't give off any shadow when rendering. I guess the word Polycount comes into play here ? I'd like to import some and use them as indoor plants......for decoration.
garystan
Hi Garystan,
The only problem using 3D plants is the memory they use. Unless you have a very high spec PC with lots of RAM etc then the program can grind to a halt and it takes.ages to do anything. One or two are OK but the more you use the slower things get.
You should still get shadows with 2D plants as long as the light is from the right side. If it is from the 'edge' of the 2D image, then the shadow will be just a slit. Good quality 2D plant images are available and give excellent results and shadows.
The image below is all 2D plants (with shadows) and unless you pay big money for high polycount 3D models and can get around the memory issues, then the 2D photoboards look much more real in my opinion.
Allan
Allan :
True.......I totally agree with what you're saying. Especially the part about the memory. Being 3D plants DO use a lot of memory. I'm a little disappointed.....but..........oh well. It's better to keep the project to a minimum and not get it bogged down.....than the alternative. I guess I needed a "reality check" on this one.
Thanks,
garystan
Hi Garystan,
You don't have to give up on them entirely. Two or three should not make a lot of difference - but if you try to make a forest then you could have big problems.
That said, most of the 3D plants I have seen (except very expensive ones - some going into 4 figures! ::) ), do not look real anyway. I often take my own photo, and, even at high resolution, it does not affect memory, if you use it as a photoboard. The photo sits on your computer hard drive and TFP just links to it to do the rendering etc.
Allan
Allan :
I only need, maybe, one or two, just for decoration. They DO make a room look less barren.
garystan
If you ever decide to "grow your own", look here for free Plant Studio; and it has some pre-fab plants
http://www.kurtz-fernhout.com/summary_plantstudio.html
Doug.S
Doug :
Thanks.......I definitely have to keep that on my wish list.
garystan
Allan :
Nice garden ! The only catch is.......maintenance. Much as I like gardens, I don't have a "green thumb". Eh.....I'll let the gardener take care of it. But, I'd need a place to sit.....to enjoy the quiet......the singing birds.........read a book.....etc................
garystan
Hi Garystan,
The garden in the image was for a courtyard at a convention centre and the garden bed walls are designed for sitting on. I don't think they wanted anyone to sit long enough in that area to read a book though! ;) There is a lot of covered seating surrounding it though.
When I get around to it I will post a copy of the landscape layout (quite detailed) and some of the other images and how it looks in reality now it is finished, although, needless to say, the trees/plants are somewhat smaller at the moment.
Allan