Instancing

[thomas]

Hi there,

I'm learning about instancing, and it's cool! I don't understand how the custom object works though.

I have a scene with 4 objects:
1- Three shelves in a shop
2- A grid of points that indicate where the hi-def bottles should be instanced
3- A hi-def model of a bottle
4- A lo-definition model of this bottle

I thought I would be able to check to box that says 'Use Custom Object', and then choose the lo-def model but there is no drop-down for this. I messed around with using the Kray Instances plugin on other objects in various combinations but I didn't get any results for this.

I know I've seen the answer before and I searched the forums for 'instancing' but could find the thread again, that's why I'm asking.

thanks!
Thomas

[jure]

Custom objects are used to place instances in particular size and orientation. It has nothing to do with high-low poly objects.

Here is example scene that shows how custom objects and instances work: http://www.kraytracing.com/joomla/forum ... =viewtopic

Hope this helps!

[Janusz Biela]

here scene how it works.
Tips:
1/ You can download bottle as another object (so You need only shelf and points)
2/ Clone object must be setup in modeler in 0,0,0 x,y,z (I mean bottom part, because this is coordinate for size, rotate, etc.
3/ Don`t change size original object (bottle)
4/ You can move bottle whatever You want (it is no important where is this, important is setup coordinates in Modeler)

[thomas]

Hi Janusz,

Thanks for the explanation but the instancing itself worked well: it's just the use custom object part that I don't understand - and still don't not even with the example scene Jure provided. I thought the custom objects were just visual representations of the cloned objects in the scene, but apparently they are modeled? Or at least they show up in modeler as actual modeled geometry.

What I was looking for was the display of low-detail proxy objects visible in Lay-Out, but apparently this is not possible?

thanks,
Thomas

p.s. Now that we're on the subject of instancing, what are places to buy good plants and trees that are ready to use in LW + Kray? Free is of course also good

[Janusz Biela]

Hi Janusz,

Thanks for the explanation but the instancing itself worked well: it's just the use custom object part that I don't understand - and still don't not even with the example scene Jure provided. I thought the custom objects were just visual representations of the cloned objects in the scene, but apparently they are modeled? Or at least they show up in modeler as actual modeled geometry.

What I was looking for was the display of low-detail proxy objects visible in Lay-Out, but apparently this is not possible?

Ah...no yet. You see only points. I know it is difficult , but after a few trainings You remember where are objects. I future we will receive low-detail preview. Now the best idea is: clone objects (for example trees) under Layout , so You see all. After that You have to select original object and choice one script which replace all for Instance points. If You use clip map - don`t worry all clone points will get setup from original object, so You need setup clip map leaf only for original object. For back view You have to select one points (not original!) and choice again script. I know it is primitive .. but Michelangelo Buonarroti had only hammer and chisel...

p.s. Now that we're on the subject of instancing, what are places to buy good plants and trees that are ready to use in LW + Kray? Free is of course also good

No. Personally I use from max3d and from Onyx built by myself .

[jure]

.. but Michelangelo Buonarroti had only hammer and chisel...

LOL! That's a good one!

[thomas]

I agree! You can get wonderful results with instancing as it is now, and it works very well - thank you!!!

I was just asking because the term 'custom-object' usually implies in LightWave that you can use some sort of simpler visual representation for something, so I thought the functionality was in there.

Thanks for the speedy help, as usual!

Thomas

[nico]

i guys new plugin from dpontonnier

http://dpont.pagesperso-orange.fr/plugi ... tance.html

istancing!!!
i can't test it today

[jure]

i guys new plugin from dpontonnier

http://dpont.pagesperso-orange.fr/plugi ... tance.html

istancing!!!
i can't test it today

Yeah it's very sloooow.