Speedtree vs GrowFX

[Rob Burns]

I know discussions about tree modelers have come up many times, but since software updates are always occurring and the landscape of which program is best can change from year to year I thought I would ask: which tree modeler seems like a better solution in terms of realism and workflow? I've heard great things about both programs, growFX is supposed to be hard to learn and has no library to start from but is very powerful, Speedtree looks like it creates amazing trees, and has a huge library available but is expensive (and I haven't heard anything about how difficult to learn). Has anyone tried them both or have opinions on either?

[danio]

I haven't used Speedtree but I bought GrowFX about a year and a half ago. I'm sure Speedtree is nice but for what it's worth here's what I like about GFX:

-Integrated inside max rather than a standalone (I think speedtree is standalone, correct?). This makes test renders go fast and you can create proxies and then click 'new' and it'll generate another variation of your tree by changing the seed number. Then you can proxy again. Very fast workflow for getting something like 3 variations on a theme.
-Amazing support. If you have a question for them you usually get a personal response and an offer to help you out within 24hrs or sometimes way less. They've even helped me troubleshoot specific Max scenes in a pinch.
-Cheap, especially if you get it on sale.
-Meta-meshes are a thing of beauty. Not sure how Speedtree compares on this level.
-Lots of support within the Archviz community I've noticed.
-Wind animation is now 'after mesh' so it's really really fast...GFX doesn't have to recalculate the meta-mesh for each frame.

What I don't like about GFX is:
-Sliders could have more specific names. It's often trial and error because you can't remember what a specific input does. This also relates to just general ease of use, it could be easier to get what you want if they just tweaked some UI stuff. I'm sure this will come.
-When growing Ivy sometimes it can take a while to get the object reactions doing what you want.
-I wish they had more tutorials but they do have quite a few. I also wish more of the ones they do have had sound. Oh well, I just always want more

I use Growfx for everything from more complicated grasses, small plants to trees. I'm doing renderings of an eco-machine wetland and lagoon right now and it's been very helpful with the cattails, hyacinths, gingkos etc.

So anyway, take that with a grain of salt since I'm not a Speedtree user. I'm sure it's a high quality product!

Dan

[Rob Burns]

Great info Dan, thanks for the info!

[Morne]

Speedtree now has a version specifically for archviz. Its WAY cheaper than the normal full speedtree. Also, E-onsoftware (the guys that make vue are releasing their own plant modeller now)

However, personally I'm leaning towards GFX also

[Rob Burns]

thanks Morne, I noticed the cheaper version of speedtree and at that price it's starting to look really interesting. It seems like one of the main differences between that and the super expensive cinema version is it only comes 5 species instead of the whole library, which is still ok with me. Would love to hear some input on using it.

[stevesideas]

I have growfx and although it's a fairly steep learning curve, once you get the hang of it it really is a very flexible and an excellent plugin. Especially since the recent update with the ability to do wind animation in real-time for smaller plants (yet to try it on larger, more complex plants). The support is very good also and they seem to listen to users about new features etc.

I've not used the new Vue plant program but I've had bad experiences with Vue and find it very hard to use in production. Maybe the plant program is good as a stand alone tool though.

Speedtree looked pretty cool when I checked it out a couple of years ago although I felt overpriced. Not sure how flexible it is in terms of the variations in vegetation you can create.

Good luck in choosing.

[lukx]

GrowFX all the way. Eduard provides excellent support !

[squintnic]

is speedtree still opacity maps only?

[tammo]

I just use a tree model library. There are some very good ones available, some are already setup for scattering with multiscatter.
I would never be able to create something so realistic in a reasonable amount of time.
Do you have to make some very specific trees that are not available?

[IVOR_IP]

You can optimize branching much better in Growfx. In general much more control in everything, geometry affects through different levels.
Speedtree is like a modern version of onyx, very linear workflow from root up.

[sandykoufax]

Another contender

http://www.theplantfactory-tech.com/...3D-Application