SpeedTree problem

[smartypants]

Heyho!

I´m having a weird problem with my speedtrees. I model them in the modeler, compile them in the compiler, import everything to UDK but when I try to view it in the SpeedTree Editor there isn´t anything.
I went through so many speedtree tutes ( the documentation on UDN included) and did everything the same way but at that point it always fails D: I often read comments of people having the same problem
but somehow no one replies so I hope it´s not a staled question ^^'

[online|offworld]

Could be the scale? So big you can't see it or so small?

If you haven't had a chance, feel free to help yourself to a copy of the free speedtree tute on my site at http://www.showmethatagain.com, I go from start to finish through the speedtree workflow.

[Jesterofthesky]

Yeah, I've been having the same problem. When I look up the tree information in UDK it seems to still have all the original vertices that made up the mesh, but there is no tree. As far as i can tell at the moment either the scale is massively out, or somewhere along the way importing the tree all the vertices have collapsed into a single point (i'm leaning towards thinking it is the latter, though why is still a mystery to me. Are you using the latest UDK release? I've made trees before that worked fine, perhaps it is just this latest version that is having the issues (May 2012)?

[smartypants]

Alright I got it!
No it´s not too small, there isn´t anything inside the editor. I can´t a use a premade tree anyway, because it´s for a retail game(copyright?). It´s pretty easy, you just need to SAVE the tree
I saved the package and it was there.

But you may help me with another speed tree question :O
Let´s say I want to create a forest on a landscape. I model a tree and spread it all over, using the foliage tool. Of course it´s the same tree again and again, but can I vary the tree within UDK? Randomizing the trunk or branches?
Sure, you can do that in the Tree Modeler, but if I did I had to compile every tree, import every tree and assign materials to every single tree. Could be time consuming.
Is there a way to... cut a corner?

[Jesterofthesky]

No man, I'm almost certain you can't get the UDK to randomize it for you (though i'm always willing to be proven wrong). That's the whole advantage of speedtree, once you set up the parameters for the sort of tree you want, you can export it, then use another random seed to make another unique (but still similar) tree. To be honest, you'd probably only need half a dozen to ten variations, and no-one would EVER notice it in you game, if they are being put down with a bit of variation with size, rotation, positioning etc. Open up and editor for a current game (skyrim or something) and they only have half a dozen variations of each tree type, and you never notice the repetition.

as for the compilation, importing, materials etc... It doesn't really take that long does it? MAX 10 min per tree (and that's pretty generous), and if you only need 6 or 10 then in a bit over an hour you have enough variants to make a brilliant forest. If they are all of the same variety (all oaks, or aspen or whatever) then you'll only need to set up the material once and then apply it to all of them. Compare this to having to individually model, UV map, texture (etc) each of these trees. Like i said, speed-tree is there to make things... Speedy. crazy

as for the retail thing, I feel like speedtree would be included under the UDK licence? free up until a certain $ in sales, then small fees? I feel like they wouldn't have added it to the package otherwise. I'm not sure though, I haven't looked up the licencing.

[smartypants]

Yea, SpeedTree is included to UDK, but I meant trees made by other users. Besides ( just like you said) creating some trees doesn´t take thaaat much time... if I manage to make the leaves look like leaves, not squares

I´ve got another question about speed trees! ;3 It´s about the collision. I added one in the Speed Tree Modeler, but when I scale the tree it disappears and I can walk through it.
I modified the collision and replaced the tree, but then it´s gone.The tree editor is empty. Why? o3o

[Graylord]

You can use everything except skeletal meshes that come with UDK.