Growing Grass

Rip_shot · 09-12-2006, 07:33 AM

I've found this tutorial before, but I cant seem to find it and I have a great idea for a neat little abstract music video but I dont know what technique to use to make grass look like its spreading over a plain

any tips or links would be greatly appreciated.

Rip_shot · 09-12-2006, 11:18 PM

well I didn't find it but I figured out a way of pulling it off myself, if anyone is interested in how I did it just let me know I'll write up a mini tutorial, or maybe theres one on the internet that shows the way I did it and I just never found it lol.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTBIQMfwsqg

Freespace-3DT · 10-12-2006, 01:35 AM

Cool! Sure, I think a tutorial for that would be real cool. 3dstudio max, right?

Rip_shot · 10-12-2006, 02:07 AM

yup, its easier then it looks, though the only down fall I have found is it can only be done on a flat plain, I have to figure out how to get it to go over a hill or rolling hills.

newbustamonk · 14-12-2006, 07:12 AM

Can you give me at least the begining of the tut.....Im doing grass right now..and this would be cool....

darkyien · 14-12-2006, 03:55 PM

If it's under max, that's no prob at all : Use the Hair & Fur modifiers with an animated gradient ramp from totally black to white (in a kind of progressive way) in the cut length slot! Maybe I'll write something about that!

Cheers!

LionFox · 16-12-2006, 11:34 PM

wow this looks really cewl. i have some nice ideas to use this technique. cant wait to see your tut?!

ciao lionfox!

Freespace-3DT · 17-12-2006, 03:04 AM

Awesome idea, darkyien!!

Rip_shot · 17-12-2006, 03:49 AM

ya thats not the technique I used that darkyien used since I have no clue how to animate a black and white mask and the density map for fur and hair dosnt do the effect I was trying to convay

my version is using a partical system with animated grass blades, I've been crazy busy so I havnt had a moment to work on the tutorial, but I'll try and get it done as soon as I can

ibrahim_gabr · 18-12-2006, 02:25 PM

Yeah particle system would do more dynamic effect particle flow with some operators of deflectors and such would do it

Freespace-3DT · 18-12-2006, 08:37 PM

Isn't a particle system only complicating things?

darkyien · 19-12-2006, 01:00 AM

Hi guys!

Here is the tutorial but I'm having trouble posting images so, it's actually without any images. But, hopefully, it is easy to follow.
So, open Max (I'm working with Max 9). Create a plane 100x25 (just for the tut).
Apply the Hair&Fur Modifier to the plane. Scroll down in the modifier's 'General parameters' rollout and click on the 'Cut Length' material assigner (the little square next to it). Apply a 'Gradient ramp'. Open the material editor and drag the material in the 'Cut Length' to a blank slot. Okay, now you have a gradient ramp with 3 little marker, totally black, gray & white. Turn them all black (and do a 'haka'), except for the one on the left, which you'll make pure white. Now move the middle black marker to the left (as far as you can - you'll see the grass on the plane disappear). Turn 'Auto Key' on. Move the animation slider to the frame 100. Move the middle marker to right (& you'll see the grass grow, we're near the goal).
Now turn the 'Auto Key' off. Go to the 'Tools' rollout of the H&F mod and click on 'Load' presets. Select the tall grass settings. Adjust the hair passes as you like & there you go (you may have to adjust scale settings too).

If you don't understand something, do not hesitate to ask. I think I'll write a html version of this and submit it to 3dtotal (if the mods follow the thread, please let me know if this is a worthy tutorial).

Cheers!

Freespace-3DT · 19-12-2006, 03:55 AM

This would definetely look good as a tutorial. Go for it!
BTW, I'd be interested to host this tutorial on my website.

Rip_shot · 19-12-2006, 04:53 AM

thats a great idea, not the effect I'm trying to portray but much better then the way I did it, I dont know how to do things the easy way since I'm not an expert at 3d studio max, I just use the knowledge I know to make the effects

guess this means no one is interested in my "tutorial"?

darkyien · 19-12-2006, 02:27 PM

Okay, I'll write a more official version for this tut & Freespace, it would be an honor if you hosted this tut on your website.

It should be ready for new year!

Cheers everyone!

09-12-2006, 07:33 AM	#1
Rip_shot Lighting Artist Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 767 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Growing Grass I've found this tutorial before, but I cant seem to find it and I have a great idea for a neat little abstract music video but I dont know what technique to use to make grass look like its spreading over a plain any tips or links would be greatly appreciated.

09-12-2006, 11:18 PM	#2
Rip_shot Lighting Artist Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 767 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	well I didn't find it but I figured out a way of pulling it off myself, if anyone is interested in how I did it just let me know I'll write up a mini tutorial, or maybe theres one on the internet that shows the way I did it and I just never found it lol. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTBIQMfwsqg Last edited by Rip_shot; 09-12-2006 at 11:41 PM..

10-12-2006, 01:35 AM	#3
Freespace-3DT Commando Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Romania, Cluj Posts: 7,990 Thanks: 39 Thanked 186 Times in 159 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 10	Cool! Sure, I think a tutorial for that would be real cool. 3dstudio max, right? __________________ Cinematics: StarCraft: Final Metamorphosis (Final 7.5 Minute CG Animation) Speed Factor 2 (23-NOV-2010) Demo Reel 2010 (1-OCT-2010) StarCraft: First Contact (08-JUL-2009) MY CG&VFX WEBSITE

14-12-2006, 03:55 PM	#6
darkyien Between here and there... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: France Posts: 531 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If it's under max, that's no prob at all : Use the Hair & Fur modifiers with an animated gradient ramp from totally black to white (in a kind of progressive way) in the cut length slot! Maybe I'll write something about that! Cheers! __________________ If you want peace, prepare for WAR

17-12-2006, 03:04 AM	#8
Freespace-3DT Commando Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Romania, Cluj Posts: 7,990 Thanks: 39 Thanked 186 Times in 159 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 10	Awesome idea, darkyien!! __________________ Cinematics: StarCraft: Final Metamorphosis (Final 7.5 Minute CG Animation) Speed Factor 2 (23-NOV-2010) Demo Reel 2010 (1-OCT-2010) StarCraft: First Contact (08-JUL-2009) MY CG&VFX WEBSITE

10-12-2006, 02:07 AM	#4
Rip_shot Lighting Artist Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 767 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	yup, its easier then it looks, though the only down fall I have found is it can only be done on a flat plain, I have to figure out how to get it to go over a hill or rolling hills.

14-12-2006, 07:12 AM	#5
newbustamonk "Square Frame Studios" Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Can you give me at least the begining of the tut.....Im doing grass right now..and this would be cool....

16-12-2006, 11:34 PM	#7
LionFox Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 60 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 1	wow this looks really cewl. i have some nice ideas to use this technique. cant wait to see your tut?! ciao lionfox!

17-12-2006, 03:49 AM	#9
Rip_shot Lighting Artist Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 767 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	ya thats not the technique I used that darkyien used since I have no clue how to animate a black and white mask and the density map for fur and hair dosnt do the effect I was trying to convay my version is using a partical system with animated grass blades, I've been crazy busy so I havnt had a moment to work on the tutorial, but I'll try and get it done as soon as I can

18-12-2006, 02:25 PM	#10
ibrahim_gabr Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Earth Posts: 746 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 1	Yeah particle system would do more dynamic effect particle flow with some operators of deflectors and such would do it __________________ Sector 16 Iron Man (Stane's Iron man) Imperial sentinal WIP Second Charachter(Zbrush) Free Style soccer (First Animation)

18-12-2006, 08:37 PM	#11
Freespace-3DT Commando Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Romania, Cluj Posts: 7,990 Thanks: 39 Thanked 186 Times in 159 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 10	Isn't a particle system only complicating things? __________________ Cinematics: StarCraft: Final Metamorphosis (Final 7.5 Minute CG Animation) Speed Factor 2 (23-NOV-2010) Demo Reel 2010 (1-OCT-2010) StarCraft: First Contact (08-JUL-2009) MY CG&VFX WEBSITE

19-12-2006, 01:00 AM	#12
darkyien Between here and there... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: France Posts: 531 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Here it is! Hi guys! Here is the tutorial but I'm having trouble posting images so, it's actually without any images. But, hopefully, it is easy to follow. So, open Max (I'm working with Max 9). Create a plane 100x25 (just for the tut). Apply the Hair&Fur Modifier to the plane. Scroll down in the modifier's 'General parameters' rollout and click on the 'Cut Length' material assigner (the little square next to it). Apply a 'Gradient ramp'. Open the material editor and drag the material in the 'Cut Length' to a blank slot. Okay, now you have a gradient ramp with 3 little marker, totally black, gray & white. Turn them all black (and do a 'haka'), except for the one on the left, which you'll make pure white. Now move the middle black marker to the left (as far as you can - you'll see the grass on the plane disappear). Turn 'Auto Key' on. Move the animation slider to the frame 100. Move the middle marker to right (& you'll see the grass grow, we're near the goal). Now turn the 'Auto Key' off. Go to the 'Tools' rollout of the H&F mod and click on 'Load' presets. Select the tall grass settings. Adjust the hair passes as you like & there you go (you may have to adjust scale settings too). If you don't understand something, do not hesitate to ask. I think I'll write a html version of this and submit it to 3dtotal (if the mods follow the thread, please let me know if this is a worthy tutorial). Cheers! __________________ If you want peace, prepare for WAR

19-12-2006, 03:55 AM	#13
Freespace-3DT Commando Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Romania, Cluj Posts: 7,990 Thanks: 39 Thanked 186 Times in 159 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 10	This would definetely look good as a tutorial. Go for it! BTW, I'd be interested to host this tutorial on my website. __________________ Cinematics: StarCraft: Final Metamorphosis (Final 7.5 Minute CG Animation) Speed Factor 2 (23-NOV-2010) Demo Reel 2010 (1-OCT-2010) StarCraft: First Contact (08-JUL-2009) MY CG&VFX WEBSITE

19-12-2006, 04:53 AM	#14
Rip_shot Lighting Artist Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 767 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	thats a great idea, not the effect I'm trying to portray but much better then the way I did it, I dont know how to do things the easy way since I'm not an expert at 3d studio max, I just use the knowledge I know to make the effects guess this means no one is interested in my "tutorial"?

19-12-2006, 02:27 PM	#15
darkyien Between here and there... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: France Posts: 531 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Okay, I'll write a more official version for this tut & Freespace, it would be an honor if you hosted this tut on your website. It should be ready for new year! Cheers everyone! __________________ If you want peace, prepare for WAR

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