Itoosoft

Is it a viewport issue only ? What is the result rendering the scene ? Please, try turning off the "Forest->Display->Use DirectX acceleration" checkbox. Anyway, for technical questions i suggest using the iToo Forum. I don't read this forum so frequently as the iToo.

It is a complete package, but it's not necessary to uninstall previous versions. The setup program overwrites all the files.

I'm glad to announce Forest Pack Lite/Pro 3.8, a new version of our scattering plugin for 3DS Max. This release includes many improvements as: * Multiple areas, each one may be parametrized individually. * Real-time collision detection with external objects. * Painting Tool. The Paint areas are parametric and can be converted to splines and back. * Material Optimizer. Converts materials to VRay/Mental and tune up the texture parameters. * Improved performance, specially when handling complex area splines. You can see all the changes in the Release Notes. Registered users of Forest Pack Pro can download the upgrade from the User Panel. The Lite version is freely available to download in our website.

You would use Forest Lite, both to scatter the cars and randomize colors. In this way: 1) For each car model, replace the paint car texture with a "Forest Color" map. Turn on Override->Map->Random Values, and assign in the tint map a texture with the colors that you want to randomize (i used a Gradient Ramp in my test scene). 2) Create a Forest object and assign the car models to the Geometry List. 3) Scatter them as you like. You also can use the Custom Edit mode to place each car individually. I have attached a sample screenshot. Please feel free to ask me about the plugin if you need help.

Using two Forest Lite objects, applying a scale map on Z axis. You can adjust parametrically any parameter, animate it, etc. I've attached the scene for max 2010.

A quick note to clarify that it is not needed to convert the trees to proxies. You can use meshes or procedural objects directly, Forest convert them on-the-fly to native render instances. The performance should be the same as using proxies. In our Rendering Guide you can find settings and tips to optimize your renders with Forest in Mental Ray and VRay: http://www.itoosoft.com/forestpack/r.../rendering.php

In our website you can find a basic rendering guide, that includes some tips to use Forest Pack with VRay and Mental Ray: http://www.itoosoft.com/forestpack/reference/rendering.php

In collaboration with Ronen Bekerman Blog, we invite you to participate in a RailClone miniChallenge. In this event you are being asked to submit 3d visuals using the RailClone Lite, the free version of our parametric modelling plugin for 3DS Max. This miniChallenge ends on January 31st. Each participant that submit a final image for judging will be eligible for 40% discount when purchasing RailClone! (There will be no double discounts with other promotions that may run at that time or with using of coupons). 1st Place : RailClone Pro license, 3 year subscription + Forest Pack Pro license 2nd Place : RailClone Pro license, 3 years subscription 3rd Place : RailClone Pro license, 1 year subscription See Ronen Bekerman Architectural at Visualization Blog for details and inscription.

There is a huge difference, about 150% to 200% faster, using as reference the FPS stats on a same scene, using Max performance or DirectX. Much more if the scene requires to draw 2D elements (lines, dots...). Also, with my last card (8800GT) i had many problems using it in Max 2010 / Windows 7: about one second lag selecting objects, jerky movement and so. Instead, this Quadro 4000 with the performance drivers works like a charm.

It's a problem of the drivers search webpage. As example, it doesn't return any result searching Max drivers for Quadro 4000, Windows 7 64 bit, but it does for Windows 7 32 bit, although exists drivers for both.

There are Max Performance drivers for Quadro 4000, although a bit hidden: http://www.nvidia.com/object/maxtreme_workstation.html I'm using it and the speed improvement is very noticeable.

Hi videep, I understand. I suggested Forest Lite because it's free, and you can use it in your commercial projects. The main limitation of this version is that it only works in flat surfaces, that usually is not a problem if you are creating park areas.

From our website (www.itoosoft.com) you can download some free samples of HQ Plants, and use them with Forest Pack Lite, or as stand-alone proxies. With your computer and using VRay, there are not problems to render some thousands of high poly trees and get excellent results. If you need assistance creating the scene, i will be pleased to help you (here or in the Itoo Software forum).

Hi Eric, Forest Pack 3.3 supports to Max 2010. We just released Forest Pack 3.3.1 for Max 2011, because although the plugins are compatible, there were some changes in the Mental Ray shaders. Regards, Carlos Itoo Software

Yes, i know this issue. We want to rewrite Color Edge and make it compatible with MR, but unfortunately our current projects take up all of our available time.