Ivy generator

[Ros. Riha]

Please:

• How do you size your model to be imported into Ivy Generator? My AutoCAD units are milimeters and I am not able to grasp proper Ivy size.
• How do you save resulting Ivy to be used in nXt? I used nXt import widget and the whole Ivy gets black
• How do you set adhesion settings? My Ivy does not stick to walls properly, it grows too far from them...

Thanks

[George Ioannidis]

Hi Ros,

1. As far as I know there isn't a direct way to export OBJ files from AutoCAD (unless you pay for plugin which does that). Your options are: DXF and 3DS. You have to convert those formats to OBJ with other programs. You can do it using e.g. Accutrans or Deep Exploration (both commercial products) or import DWG model directly to Sketchup Pro (it is commercial as well, free Sketchup hasn't OBJ export option). In both cases (AT+DE or SUPro) there is no need to do anything with the scale of the model, as long as you use always the same units (whatever they are). Personally I use Blender 3D for this task, as it is free and has nice easy options for changing YZ coordinates while saving model back :)

2. Once you have opened you model in Ivy correctly (which means the correct coordination system orientation, as OBJ files use flipped Z and Y axes I think. If the whole model comes rotated into SU od DE you can easily export it checking the YZ coordinates swap - in DE or AT. ) you can experiment with Ivy altering different parameters and watching what each changes. When you are happy with result, save the result as OBJ file again. I did noticed that Ivy sometimes doesn't export properly he materials of leaves and bark. It is necessary to correct the problem in Deep Exploration or AccuTrans, or after the insertion of model in AutoCAD, properly change the material using NXT material editor (you have to determine the location of leaf bitmap and the way opacity map is applied to leaf materials and the bark bitmap and additional bump map for it - don't forget that you will have as many leaf and bark materials as the number of inserted textured Ivy meshes so the same routine should be done for each of them).

3. See point 1. It is all matter of experiment (the known "black box" procedure of "try and error") and patience.

 

Here is small example.

Good luck anyway.

[Miguel Tano Adanes]

Hi George,

your work with Ivy is absolutely relevant!

However, it would be fine if you could make a sort of guide by using screenshots with the entire process. I've done a couple of tries, using AccuTrans as well, but the only thing I've obtained is a completely black model, without foliage or bark. In addition, I'm interested in creating other types of climbing plants, such as wines or jasmines by changing the png files of leaves and barks.

Point 2 as you describe is very detailed, but I have no idea on how to change UCS in Accutrans or Blender, so it would be nice if you could upload a couple of screenshots to better show the entire process. Thank you very much for what you'll be able to do.

[George Ioannidis]

I'll try to sew some kind of "steps-to-do-it" as soon as it will be possible (as I am currently on vacation, using my daughter's netbook without any (my) application on it :)

I wish to all of you nice summer days.

[Miguel Tano Adanes]

Thank you very much, George. I whish to you and your family a relaxing vacation!

[akinlolu olugboji]

Use a screen capture devise with a microphone and post the video here, maybe Roy or Scott can create a link here where such videos or tutorials not directly related to Nxt but relevant to Nxt can be posted by users or Kevin could help on Accustudio.

 

Happy Holidays. 

[George Ioannidis]

Thank you guys. Have a good vacation too!