real-time trees looking for tips and tricks

[Lee3dee]

I'm currently working on some outdoor environments for this game that uses the torque engine which is rather limited compare to current engines . Here's a sample of the evergreen i've been working on. Leaves were created in Paint effects, and then mapped onto planes. Which i will reduce from 200 polys to a flat plane for the distant trees.

Not sure if this is the right direction im taking, but thought id get some input

[von*ferret]

looks good. Something I noticed is people tend to split their planes in half making a little contour so noticing the flat planes is a little more difficulut. Dunno if you can fit that into your polygon budget though.

[Lee3dee]

thanks von*ferret i did that for the 2 on the right. But thats a good idea. Another image before bed with varying polys.

once i figure this out, i have to make snow covered ones too, oh boy!

[von*ferret]

looks nice, but remember snow would only cover the tops of them. On these you see under the branches. So be clever in your texturing cause it'll make the difference in making or breaking the atmosphere.

[von*ferret]

also you can vary the two techniquyes you have. So you can have less polygons but still have some of the effect. Might help youl.

[Lee3dee]

von*ferret: thanks some very good tips there, I'll try them out in a few mins.

[jaardsi]

May I ask what you're working on?

or is it top sekrit?

[Lee3dee]

jaardsi: hehe, i had no NDA to sign. Its a realistic duck hunting game. I'm doing most of the environments, interfaces and objects. It's hopefully be published at christmas.

Test 3

the single player level, the dunter stays on the island and most of the trees and vegitation are planes in the background. But for the multiplayer, I need to make fairly low poly trees that isn't going to slow down the engine that the hunter can see.

[Lee3dee]

i think i got as low as i can go for players view for it too look like a tree. hehe

distant trees will be dual sided planes. hehe

[von*ferret]

trunk on the far right is a little thick in my opinion

[jaardsi]

The one on the left seems slightly too tall to me as well.

[DaanO]

I think the branches on the tree at the left just start a bit too high, it's not too tall. Also, the tree on the right (less polies than the one in the middle) look more 'full' that the one on the middle, which is weird. I'd say make the one on the middle more full as well.

[KungFuSquirrel]

Hmm, this would have been useful for my doodling last night...

Only wish I had textures.

http://www.button-masher.net/wip/tree01.jpg

http://www.button-masher.net/wip/tree02.jpg

Might have to compare with some notes from here...

edit: sorry, not trying to hijack, just also interested in similar info!

[The Postman]

Ooh, this is a good thread. I'm about to work on an amateur project that just so happens to be an RTS.

[ReNo]

Love the style of that palm tree Andrew, would look great animated