This page updated: August, 2003
changes GLS TReal
- GLS Tree uses Tree Images as input to produce the parameters. An OpenGL 3D view using GLScene allows per Level viewing to check the 'growth' of the tree branches during parameter input/selection. The data can be saved as an .obj or ___? file. The Tree shape file: .tsf, Leaf shape file: .lsf, Fruit shape file: .fsf, and Tree, Leaf, Fruit texture filenames are saved in Tree Definition Files .tdf. All these are simple Ascii data files, there is no annotation nor use of 'clumps' to identify what the data are. The Leaf and Fruit files first line is a version id, second is the number of data points to follow. The Tree shape is similar with several groups: a number followed by that many lines of coordinates. The associated sub-directories: Tree definitions, Tree data, and Help are used to store the Definitions, Shape files and Textures, and associated information.
- Minor change to TReal dll is the addition of Rotation animation and use of a local .ini file (PovTreal.ini) rather than the system registry. It still creates the POV link in povtrealtmp.ini, the data in tree.inc. Rotation can create images of the tree rotating : so the light always shines on the tree or with the camera rotating so the side of the tree viewed is in darkness (partial to total : just an outline). (I can rotate the camera and/or the tree, how to rotate the light? oh well, this gives two variations... changing the light would allow daily sunlight variation. This is done as a series of animations, there is no capability to set the position of light/camera/tree individually. The number of images produced during the animation can be set: 2 = front and back, 4 = 4 sides,.. 360 = 1 at every degree (0..359))
- Changed TReal name to glstreal and renamed all the source files so I can run/compile each as I change the code. Help link to the htm page(s). TReal .trd file have been renamed to .tdf... THey are no longer compatable. glstreal stores info in glstreal.ini rather than the Registry. Leaves now have an input option to define a new shape {User Defined}. At 800x600 there is little visible difference of a tree using different leaf shapes. Other changes implemented will not directly affect TReal POV : Wind and range degradation. Leaf Quality was being used as a parameter, it has been deleted so its affect will be a Range Degradation parameter rather than one used all the time.. to define a leaf.
- Leaves defined shapes are changed to be User Defined. The shape file (.lsf) is loaded from disk. This is to allow changing the default texture and its related leaf shape. (and to relate a texture to the shape file) There are several sample leaf shape files (.lsf) with texture included in the tree data directory. If the file does not exist then Oval is reselected... and if its shape file is not present in the tree data directory a Message is displayed. The default shape file is apple_leaf.lsf and the texture is apple_leaf.jpg.
- NOTE: Pine 'needle' textures must be .tga files to be 'transparent'. Leaves that are 'self contained' can be .jpg because the shape cuts off the area outside the leaf and thus is not required to have a transparent background. Original Tree Definition Files (.trd) should be reconfigured to enable the use of 'Needle' textures rather than having a zillion miniature 'deformed oval' leaves (Tamarack.. pines) and then saved as a .tdf Tree Definition File. GLS is stressed..crashes when displaying that many leaf objects at that small a size: Single precison Math and Memory making many miniature models. It is the same old Weight - Strength - Cost - Performance relation with no solution, only atrophied compromised crippled crud.
history changes (1984)
- (GLS) Tree : Data - Changes -
- Added Fruit display. Several data input parameters are not activated yet... for Fruit and Leaves... the placement / arrangement are left undone as the display of a tree already runs at ~ 0 FPS. Groups are to be displayed as a texture image rather than individual objects.
Copyright
© 1991..2003 by Ivan Lee Herring