Archive notice: This article was originally published on July 14, 2006. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Manufacturer Bionatics has presented a new version of its natFX plug-in for 3ds Max. Version 4 of the plant generator is intended to integrate even better into 3ds Max and brings a number of new functions.
The “Volumetric Mode generates realistic-looking trees during real-time playback with a medium number of polygons and low-resolution textures .
With the new “Sculpt Trunk” function, the user deforms the surface of the tree trunk. With the help of a number of supplied displacement maps, the user can conjure knots, root bases, cracks and similar features onto the trunk. Custom displacement maps can also be created.
According to the manufacturer, natFX is still intended to be fully compatible with the Mental Ray renderer. Bionatics also promises more efficient use of memory.
A demo version for 3ds Max 6 to 8 is available on the manufacturer’s website. The full version, including ten tree types of the user’s choice, costs 910 euros.
Further links:
- Bionatics natFX
