Forest can work in two modes: "Generate" or "Custom Edit". In Generate mode, the trees are created within the area defined by the area splines, using the distribution parameters. The Custom Edit mode allows the user to edit and create the trees individually. For users of Forest 2, this mode replaces the old plugin Planes, offering the same capabilities using only Forest.

Generate / Custom Edit

This parameter switches between the two modes. In "Generate" mode, all the parameters of this rollout will be disabled. In "Custom Edit" mode, the plugin disables area splines and distribution map options, and enables the tools of this panel to edit the trees.

Take care, switching back to "Generate" mode all changes you have made to trees with "Custom Edit" will be deleted. The plugin shows a confirmation dialog before changing modes.

To edit the trees, you must also activate the sub-object level using the Modify Stack Display on the Modify panel, or by clicking the tree icon on this rollout ( ).

Create Planes

This button creates individual trees when clicking on the scene. It only works in the "Trees" Sub-Object level.

Properties (Selection)

Allows the user to define the width, height and Geometry ID (index of the Geometry List) of each element selected. It's possible to select a group of trees and specify the properties of all of them setting only these parameters.

Select by ID: Use it to select trees by a specified Geometry ID.

Random ID: Randomize the Geometry ID value for all trees selected.

Reset Size: Set the size of the selected trees to their default values (according to the parameters defined on Geometry->Geometry List)

Detach

Detach the selected elements to a new Forest object.

Attach

Attach the elements of other Forest objects. You may select a single object or choose from a list. If "Consolidate Geometry List" checkbox is enabled, the plugin will try to match the Geometry Lists using "Name" and type of geometry. If not, Forest will append the items of the Geometry List of the attached object.

Creation Tools

These tools are used to automatically build elements inside a Forest object.

Along a Path: distributes trees along a path defined by a spline, evenly spaced or creating an element for each vertex of the spline. To use it, pick the spline, and click the "Apply" button.

Reference Objects: this tool builds trees using the position of other objects as reference. Several modes are available:

Pivot Point : the point of creation is the Pivot Point of the referenced objects. For example: to create a group of trees in specified points, which we have defined in an external program (such as AutoCad) and imported to 3D Studio as dummy reference objects. You can enable "Align" and "Scale" options to copy the scale and alignment from the reference.
All Face Centers: creates a element for each face of the referenced meshes. If "Align" option is enabled, items are aligned with the face, using as X axis a vector from the center to the farthest vertex in the triangle.
Area: distributes items along the surface of the referenced meshes, using the "items per unit area" parameters as density value. This feature can be used to scatter elements on complex 3D surfaces (for example to create bushes).