SpeedTree is a group of vegetation programming and modeling software products developed and sold by Interactive Data Visualization, Inc. (IDV) that generates virtual foliage for animations and in real time for video games and simulations. It has been licensed to developers of a range of video games for PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 and has featured in movies including 2009's Avatar.
Tools & Utilities
SpeedTree manily has three applications, which are SpeedTree compiler, SpeedTree modeler and SpeedTree SDK.
Besides our three main apps, SpeedTree comes with plug-ins and utilities for use with 3rd party 3D modeling programs such as Autodesk 3ds Max and Maya:
SpeedTree Tools for Third Party 3D Packages
These MaxScript and python utilities are used to process FBX versions of SpeedTrees so that they play nicely with third party software. Other functions include STM mesh exporters, custom SpeedTree materials, various mesh editing tools, and scripts for transferring world building data.
SpeedTree World Building Tools
World building tools in the SpeedTree Modeler allow you to place trees and export data including instance locations, rotation, and scale in an SDK ready format.
That data can be read in by 3ds Max, Houdini and other 3D packages using world building scripts, or read by the SpeedTree SDK.
SpeedTree Model Library
Looking for a particular tree? Chances are we've already got it! When you license SpeedTree you get thousands of tree models spanning hundreds of species. Each include high resolution bark, leaf, and frond texture maps and materials. Use them directly or edit them with the Modeler to suit your needs.
SpeedTree Compiler Features
Compiler Wizard. SpeedTree Compiler has a wizard mode that quickly gets your trees real-time ready, with simpler options.
Efficient binary file format. The Compiler intelligently computes and renders not only billboards and texture maps, but also efficient binary tree models.
Perfect billboards. Distant trees that transition into billboards match their 3D counterparts to a 'T' – even under dynamic lighting. The Compiler outputs all the texture layers needed to pull it off.
Combine trees with texture atlases. Reduce the number of texture look-ups by combining textures from multiple trees into a shared set of atlases. Rotate and scale individual textures to ensure a compact fit.
SpeedTree Modeler Features
Hand drawing. Draw branch structures directly in the viewport using a tablet device or the mouse.
Break a branch, then cap it realistically – or delete individual branches & leaves entirely.
Use forces to curl, twist, or gnarl any tree part.
Grow around props. Make trees grow around or inside arbitrary meshes from your world.
Scale resolution. Quickly scale the amount of polygonal detail without affecting the shape of your model.
Preview dynamics. Test real-time physics interaction, wind, and LOD all in the Modeler.
Edit individual tree parts without affecting the rest of the tree. Our node-editing approach lets you tune or delete any branch, frond, or leaf.
World building with tree placement export directly from the Modeler.
Weld branches. No more lighting seams or branch intersections.
SpeedTree SDK Features
Vast forest rendering. The incredible trees you have meticulously modeled will make it to real-time in huge, dense forests of efficient, animated goodness.
Improved rendering quality. Support built-in for shadow mapping, translucency, ambient occlusion, per-pixel lighting, alpha-to-coverage and more.
New level of detail system. New shader-based LOD system yields seamless transitions without popping or fizzling.
Boundless terrain and grass engines. Need a mountainous vista, a dramatic valley, or a meadow filled with windblown grasses? For the first time, the tools you need are all included.
Wind. Our gusting, wind-blown trees look more realistic than ever.