Making a 3d tree

Some people have asked me how I make 3d trees. I am really bad at making tutorials so instead I thought I'd just record making a 3d tree and post the vid, then answer any questions that may come up.

I don't always use this precise technique, so don't follow it as gospel, just use it as influence on how one might go about making trees this way.

The main aim here is to have the base model set up so that it can be easily manipulated to make a few different variations of the same tree.

One point I want to make is,,,
I use a random transform tool here, but don't always depend on random transformations, they are ok for small variation adjustments, but in the end it will always need some sort of human intervention to put things in the right place.

 

Great tut! Thanks mianiak.

 

Very nice tutorial.

 

Thank you amigo

 

You're welcome

 

Can use this great script.
http://www.polycount.com/forum/showthread.php?t=93240

 

I used to use a similar script but I stopped using it once I learned what it was all about. It would be good for you to get to know how it all works, but in the end it's faster to do it manually like the way I do because these scripts always require tweaking and never turn out the way you want them to. One hour is all it takes to manually build a tree like this and when its done you will be satisfied that it came out exactly the way you wanted it

 

Are you using the 3D tree to create textures for X-trees or are you using it as an in-game object?

 

Both, in this case, there is no need to have any high detailed 2d tree textures because the 3d trees are doing the job, any 2d trees are either lods or distant trees, so I just make renders of the 3d trees to use as distant 2d trees with the 3d trees in areas close to the track.
Also, if your talking rf2, there is no need for X trees, use billboard.

In this screenshot, I have 2d trees behind the 3d trees, the 2d trees help fill it out. The only 3d trees are just a single line following the roadside to give body to the immediate area, behind that there is no need for it, so that's where 2d trees come in.


Also, doing it this way keeps an even colour flow, if you use trees sourced from all over the place, your going to have issues making them all blend in.

 

Great trees, mianiak!
I bet things get pretty exciting under that bridge.
How do you do the collision corridors around the pylons?

 

Actually, there will be a wall barrier guiding the track through one side.
(this is looking at it from the other direction)