Tree
Magic is a MEL script based tree generator. We created this
tool at Ambient Entertainment for the feature film Back
to Gaya. Trunk and branch geometry is created with Nurbs.
Leave instances are positioned along the branches using a plug-in.
This plug-in simultaneously controls the animation of the leaves.
As leave geometry an internally generated shape or any user
defined polygon object can be used. Animation of the branches
is realized using another plug-in. Here we rotate the branches
simply about their origin, which is totally adequate when doing
a wide angle shot and calculation is multiple times faster as
if we used real nurbs deformations. For leaves and branches
the same animation parameter are used, such as wind intensity
and speed.
This
sequence shows a Tree Magic motion test. The corn was created
using Paint Effects. The test was done to show, how Tree Magic
and Paint Effects motion match each other.
