??XFrog??

[TRick]

XFrog is great for making realistic static trees. Although it has some learning curve since it is actually a tree-modeler. If you get used to it you can do more with it then just making trees. In combination with XFrogTune you can make OBJ sequences that have different distance dependant resolutions. Making realistic animations, for example trees waving in the wind with all the subtle details, is not that easy. You have to do everything by hand (keyframes). If you want realistic simulation look at NatFX (http://www.natfx.com) (For Max or Maya) or Tree Storm (http://www.onyxtree.com) (Animation for Electric Image or Max). Being here in the C4D area I think your only option is XFrog. Just wait till version 4 which may have an option for C4D-integration; with better animation capabilities I hope. Although I don't believe wind simulation is one of them. If you want more info, just look ate the Yahoo XFrog User Group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/xfrog/)

Tree Broadleaf (http://www.onyxtree.com) also has a standalone tree creator that is somewhat easier to use, but has no animation capabilities...At least not directly exportable to C4D

[Katachi]

Hi,

XFrog is not the only option for Cinema 4D. I have a tree plugin (though only for trees and maybe bushes) for Cinema 4D.

You can find further information directly here:
http://www.the3ddesigner.de/download/plugin/dpit/dpit_en.html

Best
Samir

[Erik Heyninck]

I have a great liking for XFrog. Indeed version4 will be out quite soon, and it will integrate completely into Cinema. What's even more exciting is that our mac friends will also be able to use it.

The learning curve is not steep in the beginning, but to get really realistic trees one needs, as always, experience. Yet trees and plants are not the only things one can do with it: it is very good for more abstract work too.

It works with a number of primitives that can be tweaked in every possible setting, and these are put together and, if needed, repeated. At http://www.xfrogdownloads.com/greenwebNew/gallery/galleryStart.htm you can see some examples by experienced users.

I suppose that buying 3.5 will give you an upgrade price when 4 comes out.

[AdamT]

I like Xfrog too. It's also worth mentioning that it comes with a pretty good collection of trees, and there are more you can dowload from Greenworks, and a bunch of collections for purchase.

[pit]

Thanks all - great replies! I was told yesterday that it´ll be a couple of month before Version 4 is released - and I need it to do the job before that, so I have to give 3.5 a go. 4 looks great though - totally integrated in C4D!!.
http://www.xfrogdownloads.com/greenwebNew/news/xfrog4Start.htm

@ TRick: Thanks a lot!!! Hmmm ....it might just be possible to do camera/distance dependant resolutions with expresso in Version 4 if they (Greenworks) manage to incorporate their MLOD into C4D. Time will tell. Have a Demo CD from NatFX - :eek: cool stuff!! I´ll have a look at the links you provided - thanks again!

@Designer: Hi, Samir - I know about your great plug (ofcourse!)!! I just happen to have to make flowers and other vegetation too. Sorry....

@ Erik Heynick: Thanks for the info! Do you have examples of your work with XFrog? Been a while since my last visit at your website - I´ll go have a look.

@ Adam T: Thanks, Adam! - I found some pretty neat stuff here:
http://www.inf.tu-dresden.de/ST2/cg/downloads/publicplants/

[flingster]

yup bought xfrog on a deal awhile ago...only prob i had with it was getting my alpha map to not look like a photo when i was using volumetric lighting directly through the tree. v 4 will kick ass as far as i can tell..seems like greenworks have put a lot of time into integration...what i like about it is you get c4d models and the xfrog version also...so you can pick and choose...also got a good collection of premade trees...feel they are a little pricey but very good models. would probably get a bit heavy with loads of trees in a scene...would need a bit of planning and trickery me thinks..

mainly bought it for the abstract ability...but i think they used it in the time machine movie...not had time to learn it though...if i actually rtfm everything i owned...i'd never to anything...well never mind back to shave and haircut manual!!
:shrug:

[kiwi]

X Frog was used for the amazing vegetation SFX shots in the movie the Time Machine.It is also used by a number of studios :)


As soon as the Mac version arrives I am gonna grab a copy thats for sure.



Stu.

[pit]

Thanks Flingster and Kiwi - I pretty much made up my mind to buy it, so you can expect some flowery pics soon :)

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