Creating High-Resolution Custom Trees Using SpeedTree

Discover how to generate complex-looking trees using SpeedTree and Houdini, with this intermediate-level tutorial by Jean-Michel Bihorel. Starting from simple generating rules before deep-diving into more advanced areas of tree generation in SpeedTree and Houdini, Jean-Michel teaches every step needed to generate a hero tree asset — perfect for use in a cinematic.

Throughout the workshop, Jean-Michel shares how to create a mixture of hand-drawn branches extended by procedural generators, as well as how to use the mesh forces for realistic results. He also reveals how to set up and export a leaf as a point cloud in Houdini in order to manage a more optimized setup, as well as great procedural control over the leaf geometry generation and placement based on the direction of the sun.

For those that don’t want to export their tree assets to Houdini, Jean-Michel also provides guidance for exporting your trees into other software — in this case, Maya — along with advice for how to get your shaders working in other software packages.

By the end of this tutorial, you should feel comfortable generating a variety of trees growing from any surface, including growing a variety of other vegetation from trees as well. You will also develop a solid understanding of how to deal with importing and exporting your assets between software.

While this is not an introductory-level tutorial, you are not required to be a SpeedTree expert in order to follow along.

SPECIAL OFFER: Download an exclusive 25% promo code courtesy of SpeedTree with this workshop. Offer available for active Gnomon Workshop subscribers only on the SpeedTree Games: Indie License. Offer expires May 16, 2022. Download the promo code via the “DOWNLOAD PROJECT FILE” button below (only visible when logged into your account).

00 – Preview 01 – Introduction 02 – Generating the Main Trunk 03 – Placing the Bifurcating Branches 04 – Finishing the Branches 05 – Generating the Main Leaves 06 – Growing the Roots 07 – Ivy-Covered Trunks 08 – Ivy Leaves 09 – Exporting a Tree into Houdini 10 – Importing a Tree & Textures into Houdini 11 – Generating High-Poly Leaves from Atlas in Houdini 12 – Procedurally Instance a Leaf on a Point Cloud in Houdini 13 – Creating the Shader for a Leaf in Houdini 14 – Exporting a Tree into Maya & How to Set Up Shaders 15 – How to Make Extra Root Assets for a Scene 16 – Final Montage created with SpeedTree, Houdini, ZBrush & Guerilla Render JBI01_ProjectFiles.7z [Gnomon] Creating High-Resolution Custom Trees Using SpeedTree_Subtitles.7z

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