Hello folks,

I don't know if I'm doing this right, but I have a problem with my trees and am hoping I can find some help.

My tree foliage is floating up in the sky and I can't figure out why.  I've done all the usual things like defrag, disk clean, spyware, etc.  I do not have this problem on my other computer, and they are just about identical.  I also have all my updates.  

I need to get this fixed so I can upgrade to Vue 6 and don't dare until I can work this problem out.

Please help, if you've heard of this problem before.   I am running a: 

AMD Athlon(tm)64x2 Dual
Core Processor 4600+
2.41 GHz. 2.00 GB of Ram

Love the forum and love Vue, but after reading postings here I can't believe what a novice I am to it all compared to most of you.  

Thanks for being here. ;)

Jude

Jude, can you post a screenshot or render to give us an idea of what's going on?  I never had that problem with Vue 5 Esprit and just upgraded to Vue 6 Esprit.

One thing to try is to click on the Drop button and see if that works but I really need a visual to get a handle on this for you.

Hugz from Phoenix, USA

Victoria

Remember, sometimes the dragon wins. Correction: MOST times.

Thank you Victoria,

I hope that I'm doing this right as it's been a long time since I've posted.

I hope you can see in this simple example how the foliage of the palm has drifted up to the sky.  It happens quite frequently, but not all of the time.  It has me stumped, and like I said it never happens on my other computer.  

Jude

Attached Link: http://grannie9.smugmug.com/photos/118947054-M.jpg

Thank you Victoria,

I hope that I'm doing this right as it's been a long time since I've posted.

I hope you can see in this simple example how the foliage of the palm has drifted up to the sky.  It happens quite frequently, but not all of the time.  It has me stumped, and like I said it never happens on my other computer.  

Jude

The only thing I can think of for you to do, Jude, is to reinstall Vue 5.  I've been trying to reproduce the problem with both the Coconut trees and the Buccaneer Palms and can't get it to happen to me.  

As you can see from the image, my palms come out just fine.  

The other thing would be to go ahead and upgrade to Vue 6 since it installs to it's own folder.  I have both Vue 5 Esprit and Vue 6 Esprit installed and each of them work fine.  I did the render in Vue 5 just to see if I could reproduce the error.

Hugz from Phoenix, USA

Victoria

Remember, sometimes the dragon wins. Correction: MOST times.

Another quick question after looking at the image again - are you replicating and scattering one palm or are you bringing in each of them individually?

In replicating and scattering all you have to do is make sure the palm is on its own layer and then highlight the layer for replication and scattering.  Also, make sure you don't select a Y axis scatter as that will put them in the air if you highlight and replicate the tree itself.  That might be your problem.  I always put my foliage on its own layer and highlight the layer prior to replicating and scattering.  This ensures that the entire mesh is selected rather than just part.  You can also select the layer, move the entire layer up and then click on the drop button and that will bring everything down to ground level.

Hugz from Phoenix, USA

Victoria

Remember, sometimes the dragon wins. Correction: MOST times.

Ok Victoria,

I have saved your last message and will try that.  I suppose it's possible that layering could have something to do with it.  

I do usually just add another palm instead of replicating in this sort of scene, but will give it a try and see what happens.  I'll also try another tree and see how I do.

Thanks so much, and I'll get back to you.  I do NOT want to re-install Vue again.  Been there done that, and too many times to want to do it again.  I"m still adding stuff to it from my other computer at home,  and the thoughts of adding it all again makes me want to commit! :(

The good thing about reinstalling over the current installation is that it doesn't delete all the content you've added.  I've done it a lot, as well, so I understand your frustration with it.

Hugz from Phoenix, USA

Victoria

Remember, sometimes the dragon wins. Correction: MOST times.

Victoria,

I tried what you said, and I thank you immensely for the hints about replicating and scattering..  I tried it all out with the palms again and using the layering.  I thought it was working until about the seventh rendering and then they shot back up to the sky again.  

Now...how do I re-install to save all my content?  If I un-install in my add/remove programs won't I lose everything, or do I just re-install the proggie without un-installing it?

(I'm too old for this...lol, but at least I learned something wonderful today)  Thanks so much.

Jude

Don't uninstall, Jude, just reinstall right over the existing installation.

When you say the foliage shot back up into the air on the seventh rendering (or so), did you change anything?  I know you're putting in the little house so are you putting that in first and then adding the trees?  The only thing I can think of is that the trees are becoming ungrouped for some reason.

Can you send me a screenshot of your render options?  This will give me a better idea of what you're rendering at.

Hugz from Phoenix, USA

Victoria

Remember, sometimes the dragon wins. Correction: MOST times.

Attached Link: http://grannie9.smugmug.com/photos/118984512-M.jpg

Ok, here's a screenshot, and I hope it's what you wanted.  The trees have not starting falling apart yet, but I'm sure they will if I keep rendering the scene.

I put the terrain in, and then the trees.  No little shack in this one, but I have a feeling this oddity may happen if I adjust the height or size of the trees.

Anyway..I will try installing Vue again and see what happens.  All my prefs seem to be what they should be and can't remember changing any of them.

Will do some waiting housework, and get back to you later..

Thanks,

Jude

Okay, Jude.  Your render settings are fine so that eliminates one area to look at.

Now, when you adjust the scale of the trees, are you doing them one at a time or the entire group at once.  Try scaling the trees one at a time if you're trying to do the entire group because I think this is where the meshes are unwelding.  I usually rescale using the side view window because I can also re-ground in the same window and get a good idea where the tree is.

We'll get it figured out.  It may correct with the reinstall, as well.

Hugz from Phoenix, USA

Victoria

Remember, sometimes the dragon wins. Correction: MOST times.

Houston, I think we have a problem.  I tried re-installing from my disk and it seems that all I  have with me here in FL is my installation #.  I thought the other code may be on the CD, but if it is, I can't find it yet.

What in the world do I do now?  It's probably in my book that I left home.  I stopped bringing all my books because of luggage weight .

Do you know if it's anywhere else?

In the meantime I'll try sizing the trees the way you told me.

Jude