Topic: Custom Speedtrees for Lumion 6

[goodonline]

Is it possible to create custom trees with SpeedTree Studio 7 and use them within Lumion?
I see older posts but nothing current on this subject.

Thank you.

[Morten]

Hi goodonline, no - it's not possible to create trees and plants for Lumion in SpeedTree Studio 7.

You'd need SpeedTree Modeler 5.1 if you want the trees to be affected by wind etc.

Alternatively, you can just import the trees/plants as static (non-animated) models via FBX format.

[goodonline]

thank you for the quick reply!
Which version of the modeler would be compatible with Lumion? 
I apologize if this is a novice question. I am extremely eager to get this ball rolling.

Thanks again,

[Morten]

You'd need SpeedTree Modeler if you want the trees to be affected by wind etc.

If I'm not mistaken, this version is not for sale anymore, so you'd need to ask them if they'd make an exception.

[goodonline]

I just found this thread that walks through the whole speedtree story.

https://forum.lumion3d.com/general-discussion/version-5-0-is-it-still-using-speedtree-5-1/

Thanks Morton.

[Morten]

Yes, that thread is still valid.

[goodonline]

Another follow up question about Speedtree.
If we create trees in v7 of Speedtree, can we bring them into Lumion as mesh objects? I realize they will not have the wind effects, etc...

Additional question:
If we can bring them in as mesh objects, and duplicate the custom tree. How would that effect performance? Are the copies created of the custom tree instances?

My issue is that I work with Landscape Architects that are very particular about plant species. I would love to have the control of the vegetation that Speedtree offers.

[peterm]

Hi goodonline

I have not used, but understand that SpeedTree Architect Edition can export models as FBX or Obj, which are formats supported in Lumion. 

Leaves would need to be made double-sided, but I gather that's something directly supported within SpeedTree.

They do have a Trial version, so it would be worth doing some tests.


Objects imported to the Imported Object Library are treated like 'instances' when you place further copies in a scene.  This means there is not the same impact on performance as if each was completely unique.  However, there is always a cost of every object added to a scene, because all polygons of the mesh and textures do need to be rendered.

[goodonline]

Thank you for the response.
I will download the trial and see how it works. I'll note my accomplishments or lack there of for future reference.

Thanks again,

[peterm]

OK.  Yes our members would be interested to also know how you get on.

Which version of Lumion will you be using?

[goodonline]

The latest. 6.3

[Morten]

All right, let us know how you get on.

[goodonline]

I downloaded and installed the trial version Speedtree for Architects. The one caveat is that the exported models lose 1 out of every 5 faces on the demo version. I created a 'rather ugly' tree and imported into Lumion 6.3 for testing.
I created many instances to see how Lumion would handle the load. With 51.6 million 3d points, it brought my system down to 17 FPS.
While this is not ideal, I think it may be an option that I can work with. Working with layers, one could manage the overhead of the extra poly counts.

Any input from other users out there?

[Morten]

How many trees are there in that scene? (i.e. I'm curious to hear what the 3D Point count per tree is )

[goodonline]

43 trees.
1.2 million per tree