skana

The natFX trees (http://www.natfx.com) also work very well with Vray...check out this image...use the natFX trees and plants in full geometry mode and convert them into VRay proxies in order to render them in large quantities with VRay

Textorius, If you are using Vray, use the full 3D EASYnat models, then convert them to proxies...this will render beautiful 3D trees and much faster than using billboard trees...shadows and lighting will look great too!

check out EASYnat (http://www.bionatics.com)...very reasonable and extremely realistic when using the hi-res 3D models...convert them to proxies and you can insert thousands of them!

for 3D trees you should check out http://www.natfx.com

you could use 3D trees, plants to cast shadows as the tree images look a little flat...check out http://www.natfx.com

check out natFX (http://www.natfx.com) by Bionatics as the trees can be animated right within 3ds max

Hey Brian, Did you use Bionatics' trees here?

You might also want to check out natFX (http://www.bionatics.com) and use their 3D mode, which seems to work well with Vray...see some images on their site for samples...

You should check out the Bionatics' EASYnat or natFX trees...you can generate very realistic 3D trees/plants quickly and using Vray proxies will allow you to move around in your scene seamlessly. http://www.bionatics.com

You should also check out natFX (http://www.natfx.com) for 3ds max 9. The results with Vray are amazing...check out the Vray webboard for comments! They are also having a promotion on the software until December 22nd!

check out natFX for 3ds max at the Bionatics' website: http://www.bionatics.com

This is a fantastic idea!

check out natFX at http://www.bionatics.com great selection of trees, plants, shrubs (over 300 species available) which are botanically accurate - option to use normal maps on low poly hybrid (mix of 3D and billboards) plants gives them a photo realistic feel...the wind animation is also great!

Before you make your decision on either Onyx or X Frog, take a look at natFX for 3ds max...the latest version, which was just released a few weeks ago has some great new features: normal mapping for the hybrid trees, automatic wind effects, pruning tools, and better optimization functions (all of these integrated into the 3ds max interfac, of course)...The best part about it is that Bionatics is currently running a 2 for 1 promotion on their seed credits until August 31st...check out the website at: http://www.bionatics.com

Take a look at Bionatics. The prices have dropped considerably for EASYnat and they are having a great promotion until Feb. 28th for natFX! For what you get this is the most economical, as well as the most realistic...