Grass maps & correct set up etc

[Neil Woodhouse]

Hi all,

 

One of the biggest probs i have is in getting decent looking grass. To be honest it drives me mad trying to get it 'right'

 

Has anybody got any useful tips for doing this successfully or any pointers to decent tutorials.

 

It really is frustrating.

 

Thanks in anticipation,

 

Neil

[IC]

Front Projection Mapping with a photo of some nice golf course or park.

Works every time.

[kippu]

front projection mapping? i am not kinda following that?

[Neil Woodhouse]

i must admit ' Front Projection Map ' has got me scratting my head.

 

Anybody remember 'Grass-o-Matic? Why can't someone re-jig it for Max 7 upwards? that was a great little plug-in.

 

Still struggling ith the grass thing tho'

 

Regards

 

Neil

[martin walker]

I think the important thing to remember with grass is thats it not as uniform in colour over a largish area as people think. I use the "blend material" with 2 different types of grass (one slightly different shade) and differing uv channels. This gives a really nice realistic look.

 

The "displacement" approach is only really needed for close ups and worms eye views.

 

this sort of shows how to use it, but isnt the greatest example

 

http://www.delta3d.org/article.php?story=2005070111291094&topic=tutorials

 

hope this helps

[Neil Woodhouse]

THanks Martin,

 

That seems a sensible way. I'll give it a try.

[martin walker]

glad to help mate

 

where in West Yorkshire are you based ?

[Neil Woodhouse]

Dewsbury. But i live in Thornhill.

[ipxstudios]

displacement maps - that's the way I would go. What render engine are you using - V-ray or M-ray?

[Horhe]

Be careful when using displacement on large areas of grass - it'll hang your computer if you havent got enough ram.

 

I make my own grass maps under ps that way i retain total control over the type and quality of the grass that i need. There you find a nifty set of brushes or make your own.

[martin walker]

Be careful when using displacement on large areas of grass - it'll hang your computer if you havent got enough ram.

 

 

true........and forget it if you are doing an animation...you will be waiting 6 months !

[IC]

Front Projection Mapping is a term for mapping a photograph of a matching scene onto your model. Most 3d apps have it as an option.

 

The old building, road, grass and hedge in this scene come from mapping the background photo onto crude geometry in the foreground. Obviously it's easily achieved in post as well.

 

All you need is a sloping polygon for your grass and a photo of a nice field.