You get all the "extra" files in one of the zip-files for Max or Maya. Unless you need the Maya files, download the Max ones, they are smaller. If the list to the right doesn't include the xfr-files, then they aren't part of the package.

Yes right, Bruno, look at the files list to the right - if you only want the xfr-files, no need to download those without. But I want the textures as well so I grab those files too :)

BTW, the 30-day free XFrog trial (Greenworks Inc.) may allow export, don't know.

Oh, silverblade33 got  there as I was typing :)

I deleted all my "ghost objects" for Vue 7. I made a (Windows) search for "~"  ( or "~~") in the proper folders (without he quotes of course) and none of the real ones came up. So I deleted the lot.
I think that's pretty simple :)

• Lars "bigbraader"

Agree with R.P.studios: As long as you use the Vue planes for foliage, you'll only get so-so results (for closeups or semi-closeups at least). XFrog or Onyxtree models are much better for this. I use mainly Onyxtree, it's much easier than XFrog to make your own models with it, realistic as well as "weird". (Though I may note that my popular "Tall Conifers" are made in XFrog. License limitations (un-wise, IMO) doesn't allow distribution of models made with Onyxtree.)
It's my impression that most users of Onyxtree overlook the possibility of using bitmapped foliage (excactly like XFrog), and only use the "native" low-poly leaf geometries. This may be the reason that we see relatively few Onyx trees in the Vue gallery (also the price of the software of course, but you can soon buy yourself over the roof with ready-made XFrog models).

• Lars "bigbraader"

[quote
You are correct, the 16bit doesn't change anything with respect to the AA of the z-channel. It simply saves the z-depth map with the full 16bit gray scale info that Vue uses internally. Unfortunately, this does't help for the trans map artifacts you mentioned (those have bugged me too on  several occasions, with transmapped hair for example). However, it does help significantly in my experience when you have long continuous transitions that are getting de-/increasingly blurred. For example a ground plane or a terrain or walls. The blur on those will be far smoother when using 16bit z-depth. That's what I was referring to.

Ciao
TD

Yep, realised that, after I made the post :)

I made a test render, and, well, the TIFF 16 does nothing visible with the Vue AA in the z-channel.

I  second JCD and thd777 - in most cases the Photoshop lensblur is good enough. But some intricate alphamaps (foliage e.g.) may not be masked detailed enough (poor antialiasing in the Vue z-channel) giving less pleasing results. Maybe thd777's advice with the 16-channel TIFF works better, I'll certainly give it a try!

• Lars "bigbraader"

Hi -

I've also purchased the CloudScapes pack ,and they're truly great - did so soon after I upgraded to Vue 8 Complete (haven't really made anything with 8 so far, it runs a little buggy on my system - graphic card issues, mostly).
But as for the "placement" of the cloud formations, there's a relatively simple way to try, and that's to rotate the camera/scene - I occasionally do that to get the position right. It's a "cheap" solution, of course (as opposed to fiddling with the metanodes) but it's quick :)
It's also a nifty  trick if you work with HDRI maps.
(Haven't read all the posts in this thread, maybe I'm just repeating someone).

• Lars "bigbraader"

I'm running a 32-bit system, so maybe that's why :)

I downloaded the new driver thursday (before reading this), and it screwed up my system/screen driver completely, had to install the old driver  from the NVIDIA cd.

Hi -

Open the render options dialogue  > pick "User settings" > from there, load "Final" (or other) as the setting > change the AA mode to "Crisp" > save the settings under a "custom" name. Use the new settings for render option.
That should do it!

Lars "bigbraader"

I might also suggest the use of the undo/redo tool in the terrain editor (a little like the "History Brush" in Photoshop): If you want some areas rough and others smooth e.g., use a function to produce the roughness, "Undo" this, and then paint the roughness back in the areas you want with the "Redo" tool (or vice-versa, smoothen the terrain, "Undo" and paint the smoothness back). You can also smoothen specific areas with the "Effects" tool, use "Diffuse Erosion".

• Lars "bigbraader"

Complete (7.4 in my case) allows it. Also keep in mind that a terrain can be a "waterplane", allowing you to paint "streaming" effects or partially frozen areas.

• Lars "bigbraader"