Hello everyone.

I am just wondering if anyone knows of a good way to create a bunch of grapes within our favourite program.

Ian...

I haven't tried it yet, so not sure if it will work, but have you tried the new plant generator in C8? It would let you add several "leaves" and I think leaves can be any objects, so spheres should work too. And you can shade them differently to create some variety. If I have time, I'll experiment with it myself tonight, but that's the general idea.

You might have some trouble with realistic SSS, though (depending on your light and how close to the grapes is your POV), at least that's what I had most difficulty with last time I was experimenting with grape shaders.

 Hi Ian,

The most flexible way is to use a Carrara tree, narrow the trunk, assign a surface replicator to it and then replicate a grape shaped sphere to the Branches 1 shader. It takes a little fussing but is completely editable. 

Mark

Thanks to both of you for your quick replies.

Sadly Anataran I do not have version 8 as my pocket won't strech that far so I will have to stick with Carrara7pro for now.

Thanks for the tree idea Mark. I wil give it a go and see what I can come up with.

Yes, Mark's method is not difficult and it works.  I've added mountain ash berries to trees this way.  Play with the settings.  Blueberry bushes aren't hard either if you use a smaller tree.  Grape vines from trees... I don't know.  You could make your own vine and then it would be easy to add the grapes using the replicator for the grapes and leaves.
Post pics.