What's your dream tree object?

[Anonymous]

Hi all.
We get requests for ArchiCAD trees all the time.
Rather than convert a whole lot of 3ds models, we had a go at scripting a customizable tree object.
You can basically create any tree you can dream up and it uses randomization to make it more "organic". So in theory no two trees will ever look the same.
Here's an image of 12 trees i made in about 5 mins using it.


Anyway back to the questions, what features does everyone want in a tree object?
Rather than filling it's script up with features no one will use.

[Dwight]

This is a good start. I'd like to see a tree along these lines that had a second degree of branching-out before leaves.

Trunk, three to five boughs, then branches.

You have made a trunk with branches.

Sort of like "First Your Socks, THEN Your shoes."

And: a sturdy trunk with a generous, geometric crown - an archtype of a tree.

And: a translucent leaf material

But it should also be lean file-size-wise. How small can you make it?

[Erich]

I would want some rough control over the shape of the crown too. A tree against a building tends to be flattened along one side in comparison to one in the landscape.

[Anonymous]

thanks
at the moment it like this: trunk > branches > secondary branches > leaves

all of the thicknesses, lengths, angles, number of branches and leaves are adjustable.
It also has an interface, so you can shape it. A bit like trimming a hedge
All materials are changeable, there's also an option to use an image file instead of a material for the leaves eg. one with a alpha channel

We've tried to keep it as slim as possible, file size wise it's under 300kb so tiny.

[Dwight]

300 as a GDL file or 300 as a 3D model file?

[Anonymous]

the .gsm file is under 300kb

[Dwight]

What might a tree top out at in the 3D model?

[Anonymous]

Just had a look, a 5.5m high tree is about 7,000 to 8,500 polygons.
Probably not bad as the standard AC ones are around 4,500...

[Dwight]

That is encouraging.

[Anonymous]

Here you go
You can see more about 'ArchiTree' here
As an offer to everyone in this forum, if you use the coupon 'architalk' you will receive a 20% discount

Enjoy!