control placement of replicated objects via a terrain distribution shader? - Polyloop

Aunty Betty · 14th February 2006, 01:07

On the Eovia site The talented Mr Patrick Tuten states

Quote:

It is easy to control placement of replicated objects on a terrain using a terrain
distribution shader. Sometimes it is necessary to create more than one replicator for the same terrain in order to get a really dense concentration
of plants.

Could anyone perhaps expand further on this and does it require C5Pro or can C5 handle this kind of replication?

Shine a little light, it's dark in here.

Aunty Betty · 14th February 2006, 01:12

The manual states this

Quote:

The distribution of the objects can be
automatic, but you can also choose globally where you want to put your objects.
If the source object has several shading domains, you can limit the distribution of replicated objects to a shading domain.

Use shader sets the distribution of objects to follow the shader of the
generator. The generator will try to place objects on bright areas first and black areas won’t get any objects.

What does that mean -'place objects on bright areas first and black areas won’t get any objects? Is this a greyscale map?

Joppe · 14th February 2006, 01:41

What does that mean -'place objects on bright areas first and black areas won’t get any objects? Is this a greyscale map?

You're right, if you make a grayscale or better, a black and white map of you terrain and you import that with the shaderbutton in the replicater it distributes your objects on the white eareas only.
Ther must be a tut on this in this forum. I learned it here too.

Joppe

bwtr · 14th February 2006, 01:47

You create a black and white height map of your terrain and apply this temporarily to do the generation.

Patrick210 · 14th February 2006, 05:46

Hi, I've posted a screenshot of the shader used to drive the placement of replicated objects. This one is simple, really just isolates a section of height values. You can see that I start with a terrain shader that has a global shader of pure black. Then create a custom distribution shader which has white in the color channel. Set the noise coverage to 100% and altitude influence to 100%, then adjust the minimum and maximum height values to create the elevation at which you want your replicated objects to appear. The terrain distribution shaders are capable of a lot more, but this is a quick and easy way to isolate a specific elevation level. You could export this map into a photo program and brush in or take out more white areas to create specific areas of object placement, such as everywhere but on a road, etc. The replicated objects will be limited to the white areas. Thanks for the praise.

Patrick

Aunty Betty · 14th February 2006, 11:53

Patrick210 - praise indeed kind Sir.
Thanks for shining a light and particularly for taking the time out to post an example.

Many thanks also to you Joppe and bwtr for your kind assistance.

More to learn.

Best Regards

Nichod · 14th February 2006, 14:33

Just some notes on it. Make sure that it is pure black and pure white, any deviation can result in unexpected results. Just a little plug

check out the neato cool city distribution maps that will be in my pack:

http://www.eovia3d.net/attachment.ph...chmentid=11066

14th February 2006, 05:46	#5 (permalink)
Patrick210 Pixar want to hire me! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 549	Hi, I've posted a screenshot of the shader used to drive the placement of replicated objects. This one is simple, really just isolates a section of height values. You can see that I start with a terrain shader that has a global shader of pure black. Then create a custom distribution shader which has white in the color channel. Set the noise coverage to 100% and altitude influence to 100%, then adjust the minimum and maximum height values to create the elevation at which you want your replicated objects to appear. The terrain distribution shaders are capable of a lot more, but this is a quick and easy way to isolate a specific elevation level. You could export this map into a photo program and brush in or take out more white areas to create specific areas of object placement, such as everywhere but on a road, etc. The replicated objects will be limited to the white areas. Thanks for the praise. Patrick Attached Thumbnails

14th February 2006, 11:53	#6 (permalink)
Aunty Betty In the blooming heather Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Little Happening Posts: 569	In gratitude Patrick210 - praise indeed kind Sir. Thanks for shining a light and particularly for taking the time out to post an example. Many thanks also to you Joppe and bwtr for your kind assistance. More to learn. Best Regards

14th February 2006, 14:33	#7 (permalink)
Nichod Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 612	Just some notes on it. Make sure that it is pure black and pure white, any deviation can result in unexpected results. Just a little plug check out the neato cool city distribution maps that will be in my pack: http://www.eovia3d.net/attachment.ph...chmentid=11066 __________________ Email Me. Visit my blog! Get hundreds of shader presets! Get Art of Shaders! And a preview for Art of Skin is now available. AMD Turion(TM) 64 ML-40 (2.2GHz/1MB L2 Cache) 1280 MB DDR 333mHz RAM 128MB ATI RADEON(R) XPRESS 200M w/Hypermemory(TM) 60 GB 4200 RPM Hard Drive DVD+/-RW/R & CD-RW Combo w/Double Layer Support 15.4" WXGA BrightView Widescreen (1280x800) I use.

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14th February 2006, 01:41	#3 (permalink)
Joppe Say nothing Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 110	What does that mean -'place objects on bright areas first and black areas won’t get any objects? Is this a greyscale map? You're right, if you make a grayscale or better, a black and white map of you terrain and you import that with the shaderbutton in the replicater it distributes your objects on the white eareas only. Ther must be a tut on this in this forum. I learned it here too. Joppe

14th February 2006, 01:47	#4 (permalink)
bwtr Brian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: South Australia Posts: 2,097	You create a black and white height map of your terrain and apply this temporarily to do the generation.