StrandTree - A procedural approach to tree modeling in ICE

(click for bigger image)

Hi, first post here.

I hope this blog will get plenty of updates every week from now on. So to start, here are the StrandTree compounds I have been working lately:

Downloads: StrandTree Compound Pack
                   StrandTree Quick Guide
                         (thanks to Leendert - aka Hirazi Blue - from si-community for the file hosting) 

If you are using Softimage 7.x version, please update and reexport the "Emit Leaves" compound. it's using the "Point Index to Location" node that only comes with softimage 2010 version, but this can be replaced with the "ID to Location" node inside the compound, like in this image: emitLeaves_Fix_xsi7.jpg

16 compounds:

Emitters:
   - Emit Branches
   - Emit Leaves

Grow Control:
   - Even distribution grow
   - Random distribution grow

Modifiers:
   - Modify Branch Color by Iteration
   - Modify Branch Width by Iteration
   - Modify Particle Size by Iteration
   - Modify Value by Iteration
   - Modify Value by Normalized Strand Segment

Debug:
   - Debug Iteration

Strand Effects:
   - Deform Tree by Curve
   - Surface Grow

Rendering:
   - Tree Visibility Options
   - Use Geometry Branches

Presets:
   - Basic Tree
   - Pine Tree

(all of them located under Tasks Tab > "Strand Tree")

Videos:


Softimage ICE Procedural Tree Generator from Fabricio Chamon on Vimeo.


ICE Procedural Tree - Surface Grow from Fabricio Chamon on Vimeo.

Images:

Plants

Surface Grow

On the nexts posts I will try to explain more in depth each compound and record other videos showing new features. Also a documentation is on the way, along with some updates (mainly a simulation workflow for the trees).

For the time being just check the Presets category and dig inside the Basic Tree compound for some insight on how to build your own trees. And don't forget to send feedback, so that I know what to improve next! =)