DreamDesign
Vue Explorations

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PlantStudio Plants Materials
Multiple Layers

It's easy to add realistic materials
to PlantStudio plant objects.
NOTE: This tutorial assumes you have read and followed applying materials to a single-layer PlantStudio object.

Here I have a plant that I've created in PlantStudio and named Spengler. I want to bring it into Vue for 3D rendering. As I examine the model as it appears in PlantStudio, I realize I'll need to have a way of coloring the stem different from the leaves, and coloring the leaves different from the flowers, etc. So I export the model from PlantStudio such that each type of plant part is on its own layer. When the DXF model is imported into Vue, it's easy to see that Spengler is made up of several objects. (This model also included a Speng_meris object, but since the meristems were extremely small, I deleted that object. Those polygons can be used for something else in the scene.) Spengler is now composed of 6 objects: internode, petiole, leaves, stalk, inflor, and flowers. We're going to create materials for these objects so that when rendered, the Spengler model will resemble its PlantStudio image. 1 - When applying materials to a plant, I like to begin at ground level and work my way upward. So the first thing to do is create a material for the internodes, which are the main branches. Right-click the Material display for Speng_inte to open the Material Editor, then select (or create) a Color Map and add a Color Function, as we did for a single-layer plant in the previous tutorial. (Follow the thumbnail links to view full-size images.) 2 - Let's also add a Bump to the internodes, and let's do it the easy way. We already have a nice function set up for Color Production, so right-click the Color Production display and select Copy Function. 3 - Now move to the Bump tab, right-click the Bump Production display and select Paste Function. Our new bumps show up immediately, and using Copy/Paste saved us a few steps. Too, our bumps follow the exact same flow as our colors. 4 - Bumps in Vue tend to come on strongly, so lower the Gain setting until the bumps seem more natural. 5 - Move to the Highlight tab and watch the preview display as you choose settings. 6 - When you are satisfied with your new material's appearance, exit the Material Editor, perform some preview renderings and adjust the overall Scale of the material to be visually proportional with the plant object. 7 - Moving up the model, the next objects are Speng_stalk, Speng_inflor and Speng_petiol -- all of which are very similar items to the internodes, as they are parts of the branching system of the plant. The PlantStudio image suggests that the branch base is a medium-dark olive green, growing progressively lighter and more yellow as it climbs to the leaves and flowers, so we will vary the materials on these different parts. The materials need to be *similar*, however, to let them appear to be all continuous portions of the same plant. To make the materials both different and similar easily, we'll first select Speng_inter, right-click the Material display of the internode material we just created, and choose Copy Material. 8 - Now select the next object, Speng_stalk, right-click the Material display and choose Paste Material. (We are pasting *only* to Speng_stalk, *not* to two items as this figure erroneously shows.) The next few steps move along something like an assembly line. 9 - Open the Material Editor for Speng_stalk. We want to make only minor variations to the material so that it remains similar to, but is still different from, the internodes material. So we will lighten/yellow the color map slightly and also reduce the Bump Gain slightly. That is all the change needed. Be sure to also rename the new material so that you'll know which plant part it's for. 10 - Copy the new stalk material and paste it onto the Speng_inflor object. Open the Material Editor for the Speng_inflor material, lighten/yellow the color map slightly and also reduce the Bump Gain slightly. Give the material a new name. 11 - Copy the inflor material and paste it onto the Speng_petiol object. Open the Material Editor for the Speng_petiol material, lighten/yellow the color map slightly and also reduce the Bump Gain slightly. Give the material its new name. Well, that was easy! If we do a preview render now, we can see our new materials at work, beginning with a medium olive green at the base and progressively becoming lighter, more yellow, and smoother towards the flowers and leaves. 12 - Speaking of the flowers and leaves, they are the next targets. By now, you know the routine. One at a time, open the Material Editor for each object. Set up a color map and color function. Set a Bump function if desired. Set the highlight. Test with preview renders and set the material scale appropriately. (I like to go to the Effects tab and raise the Ambience of flower materials just a wee bit, say to 50 or 60%. It's a minor technique that helps blossoms stand out better from their leafy surroundings.) 13 - As you render previews, check the appearance of all the new materials. This is the time to make minor adjustments, tweak the color maps, or experiment with different functions and settings. 14 - Finally, the multiple layer PlantStudio model is ready. Be sure to save the finished model to preserve the materials, then take the time to admire your handiwork! Download Spengler VOB model with complete materials as shown and described in this tutorial. (648 kb)