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leaf_generator [2017/05/19 16:30]
leaf_generator [2021/04/27 09:19] (current)
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 +====== Leaf Generator ======
 +
 +>**Note:** This generator has been deprecated.  Please [[toolupgrade|upgrade]] these generators to [[leaf_mesh_generator|Leaf Mesh]] generators.
 +
 +=====Generation=====
 +The Generation properties are described in full detail under [[generation_properties|Generation Properties]].
 +
 +=====Forces=====
 +The properties in this group control the behavior of [[kcforces|forces]] on this generator.
 +
 +=====Random Seeds=====
 +Properties that have [[toolvariance_editor|variance]] are given random values based on a seed value in this group.  Vary the seeds in this group to randomize only the properties associated with the seed type. 
 +
 +==Randomize All==
 +Randomizes the value for all seeds used to compute this generator.  
 +
 +===== Placement =====
 +
 +== Weld ==
 +When enabled, leaves will be placed directly on the skin of their parent, rendering "Max" and "Min Distance" disabled. At the same time, "Surface Adhesion" becomes enabled.
 +
 +==Unify Orientation==
 +Forces leaf nodes on opposite sides of their parent to be oriented in the same direction.  Rotation adjustments like "Up," "Right," and "Out" keep opposite nodes synchronized when this option is enabled.  This option is especially useful when modeling opposite or alternating phyllotaxis. 
 +
 +==Surface Adhesion==
 +Orients the leaves by interpolating between the internal "up" direction of each leaf (0.0) and the normal of the parent surface (1.0). 
 +
 +== Max Distance ==
 +The maximum distance from the parent spine where leaf nodes are eligible. 
 +
 +>**Note:** If "Generation:Style" is set to relative, increasing this property results in higher leaf node frequencies in order to ensure full canopy coverage.
 +
 +==Min Distance==
 +The minimum distance from the parent spine where leaf nodes are eligible. 
 +
 +== Exponent ==
 +The exponent applied to the computed placement distance. Greater values will pack leaf nodes near the parent spine and vice versa. 
 +
 +== Angle ==
 +The angle between the parent spine and the vector used to offset each leaf from the parent spine. 
 +
 +== Spread Scalar ==
 +Scales the spread factor value set in the leaf collision properties.
 +
 +== Cull Scalar ==
 +Scales the cull tolerance value set in the leaf collision properties. 
 +
 +>**Note:** Spread and cull scalars have no effect in SpeedTree 8.0 and later.
 +
 +==Edit Leaf Collision… ==
 +This button has no effect in SpeedTree 8.0 and later.
 +
 +===== Leaves =====
 +
 +==Size==
 +The size of the leaf nodes.
 +
 +==Use Actual Size==
 +When enabled, the size parameter is ignored and the mesh is used at exactly the size at which it was modeled. 
 +
 +==Flip==
 +When enabled, randomly-selected leaf nodes are flipped over the Y-axis.
 +
 +==== Type ====
 +
 +Multiple leaf types can be defined and applied to nodes at random. Use the button controls to add [+] or remove [-] leaf types.
 +
 +^Geometry | A named mesh from the mesh bank will be used for this leaf type. A value of "none" results in a plane being used instead. |
 +^Material | A named material from the material bank to be applied to this leaf type. |
 +^Weight | Probability that any node will receive this leaf type (this weight ÷ sum of all weights). |
 +
 +===== Cards =====
 +
 +==Aspect Ratio==
 +The aspect ratio of leaf cards (width ÷ height). 
 +
 +==Jitter==
 +The amount of offset for each vertex from its default position. 
 +
 +==X Pivot Offset==
 +The horizontal distance from the center to position the leaf pivot point.
 +
 +==Y Pivot Offset==
 +The vertical distance from the center to position the pivot point.
 +
 +===== Meshes =====
 +
 +==Orientation==
 +
 +Selects how the leaf meshes will be oriented from the following options:
 +
 +^Default | Uses SpeedTree's traditional algorithm. |
 +^Sky sensitive | Orients leaves based on their position relative to the sky and the tree structure. | 
 +^Camera facing | Leaf meshes are oriented to face the camera at all times, exactly like a leaf card. However, camera-facing leaf meshes can take advantage of optimized geometry to reduce overdraw and costly transparent pixels. |
 +
 +==== Sensitivity ====
 +
 +==Parent==
 +Controls how much the leaves are aligned based on where they have grown on the model. Higher numbers result in localized orientations. Lower numbers result in a more global effect.
 +
 +==Sky==
 +Controls how much the leaves point toward the sky. Higher numbers result in the Z axis of each mesh pointing straight up. The more sky sensitive a leaf is, the less parent sensitivity plays a role in its orientation. 
 +
 +==Alignment==
 +Attempts to align the top of each mesh with the world "up" direction while respecting the existing Up Rotation. Used to eliminate upside-down meshes. 
 +
 +==Hang==
 +Interpolates mesh orientation between the local Z-axis (0.0) and the world Z-axis (1.0). //(Percentage)//
 +
 +==Up Rotation==
 +Rotates each mesh around the local X-axis.
 +
 +==Out Rotation==
 +Rotates each mesh around the local Z-axis.
 +
 +==Right Rotation==
 +Rotates each mesh around the local Y-axis.
 +
 +==Jitter==
 +The amount of offset for each vertex from its default position. Jitter is applied differently per leaf. 
 +
 +===== Lighting =====
 +
 +==Global Style==
 +Chooses the algorithm used for calculating the "Global Smoothing" anchor point from the following options:
 +
 +^Parent curve reference | Uses SpeedTree's traditional algorithm based on parent curves. |
 +^Anatomical anchor | Uses a value based on the distance to the ground along the parent branch's anatomy. |
 +
 +==Global Reference==
 +The position along the assigned parent level used for calculating "Global Smoothing."
 +
 +>**Note:** If "Extras:Hints" are enabled in the Tree Window, the global reference points are drawn as orange cross-hairs on the assigned parent level.
 +
 +==Global Anchor==
 +The percentage to ground along the parent branch's anatomy where the anchor point for "Global Smoothing" is computed.
 +
 +>**Note:** If "Extras:Hints" are enabled in the Tree Window, the global reference points are drawn as orange cross-hairs on the assigned parent level.
 +
 +==Global Smoothing==
 +Interpolation between globally smoothed (1.0) and locally smoothed (0.0) leaf normals. 
 +
 +Global smoothing aligns leaf normals with the vector drawn from the Global Reference position to the leaf position, resulting in a predictably smooth lighting gradation. 
 +
 +==Local Smoothing==
 +Interpolation between locally smoothed (1.0) and individual node (0.0) leaf normals.
 +
 +Local smoothing aligns leaf normals with the vector drawn from the percentage along the parent spine where the leaf node occurred to the leaf node position, resulting in a staggered lighting gradation.
 +
 +==Card Smoothing==
 +Pushes leaf card normals away from the center of each leaf card. 
 +
 +==Puffiness==
 +After all normal adjustments have been performed, this value "sphere-izes" the normals around the pivot point, giving the geometry a more puffy appearance.
 +
 +==Range==
 +Range controls the maximum range that normals are allowed to span vertically. A linear growth curve uses the entire range from normals pointing completely down to normals pointing completely up. Raise the low end to keep leaves from having normals that point straight down.
 +
 +==== Ambient Occlusion =====
 +
 +==Dimming==
 +Uniformly darkens interior leaf nodes. 
 +
 +===== Wind =====
 +
 +== Scalar ==
 +Scalar for wind motion from the center of each leaf (profile curve) and for the generator as a whole (parent curve). 
 +
 +==Group==
 +Selects a "wind group" that this generator belongs to. On the global wind properties, there are two distinct wind groups, each with their own set of property values. This is useful for modeling an alternate leaf wind type (for objects such as hanging moss or flowers).
 +
 +==Edit Global Wind==
 +
 +Selects the fan object, allowing the alteration of all global wind settings.
 +
 +===== Level of Detail =====
 +The properties in this group are ignored in SpeedTree 8.0 and later.
 +
 +===== Growth =====
 +The properties in this group are ignored in SpeedTree 8.0 and later.
 +
 +===== Season =====
 +The properties in this group are ignored in SpeedTree 8.0 and later.
 +
 +===== Lightmap =====
 +
 +==Weight==
 +
 +Scales all of the geometry in this object's relevance in the automatically computed lightmap UV set.  Keep in mind that the scale value is considered along with the geometry area and texture area of the object.  In addition, every object's lightmap scale is compared to every other object and then the lightmap packing is determined.  This means that your scale value may not be honored exactly or may get so large as to exhibit unexpected results.  Use "Tools->Reset lightmap scalars" to go back to default values for the whole model. 
 +