Tree and leaves generation
- The MakeTree macro
(maketree.zip) creates "realistic" trees through a recursive
algorithm. The tree structure is defined by parameters passed to the macro. Many tree and
bush shapes are possible (with some exceptions, like cone-shaped trees or palm-trees).
This macro was used in The cliff and, in a slight
different form, in Harvest time.
- The trees can have leaves or be leafless (MakeLeaf, a leaf
generating macro, is bundled with MakeTree), they can have roots or be rootless, they can
be more or less gnarled, and their shape can be modified by the application of a force,
such as wind or gravity. A random seed enables the generation of an infinite number of
trees based on the same set of shape parameters.
- Examples of trees and leaves are given.
- The tree, leaf and foliage objects can be saved as include
files for later use.
Some trees made with the MakeTree macro
Links to other 3D tree resources:
- Those who don't want to use a parameter-based tree generator
can have a look at Tree designer by Johannes
Hubert, an excellent interactive tree modeller (shareware).
is a very complete tree macro by Tom Aust. Many tree types are supported (including
palm-trees) and it gives very realistic results.
is a tree macro by Andrew Clinton, very natural-looking. It supports less tree types
than TomTree but you can have flowers.
- For the lazy, here are a few trees in 3DS format.
- For the rich and lazy, OnyxTree is a library of ready-made trees based on real ones
- Amap Genesis is modeler of vegetation that is true to life and which
is based on a unique methodology for vegetation growth simulation (commercial).
Grass and prairie generation
- The MakeGrass macro (mgrass.zip)
generates a square patch of grass of a given size and density. Each blade is independently
created with its own length and curvature. A similar algorithm was used for Migrants.
- The patches can then be assembled into a prairie.
- 2 examples are given.
- The patch mesh can be saved as an include file for later use.