How to efficiently use the path tool to place plants?
Edit path
Select the "Tools" -> "Paths" function from the navigation bar, click on it and select a model from the library. You can add up to 6 models to the plant path. When drawing with the Path tool, you can set the type of control points to [Curve] or [Linear].
When drawing control points in [Linear] mode, you can adjust the smoothness of the corner of the fold line;
The [Curve] mode is the same as the old version, using Bezier curves.
Each control point can set the type individually. The control points support multiple selection Ctrl box selection and full selection Ctrl+A adjustment.
Basic edit
The path supports the basic features as duplicate, focus on, and reset.
Click the "Edit" button to enter the path control point editing mode. In this mode, you can only add, move and delete the control points of the path. After editing, right click on the mouse or click "Finish" to exit the editing. The basic parameters include position and rotation, which can also be adjusted with the scene tools. Paths do not support resizing.
Parameter adjustment
Used to adjust the distribution of plant models on the path.
Alignment
Support selecting [Auto] or [Fixed] mode to choose different plant path arrangement.
When "Auto" mode is selected, the total number of models on the current selected path is controlled according to the parameter "Number".
The minimum number is 2, distributed at both ends of the path. The maximum number is 100. Depending on the number, the models are distributed in equal order along the path.
When "Fixed" mode is selected, the fixed spacing between plants on the path is adjusted according to the setting "spacing".
In this case, a corresponding number of models will be generated within the path length, based on a fixed spacing between the two plant models. The maximum value of the spacing will not exceed the path length in metres (m).
Direction and Random direction
The " Direction " parameter controls the direction of the model's planar rotation, which is a uniform direction for all models on the path.
The "Random Direction" is based on the existing rotational position, and then the rotational direction of each model is randomly varied.
Random spacing and Random Offsets
"Random Offset" is where the models move perpendicular to the centreline of the path, randomly increasing the distance from the centreline and increasing the width of the path at the same time.
The offset distance is the actual offset value, known as the "random maximum offset", in metres (m), and the maximum value must not exceed the path length.
Size and random size
The "Size" parameter controls the uniform size of all models on the path. The default standard size of the model is "1" and can be adjusted by a factor of "0.1 to 2".
"Random Size" sets the size of the models randomly based on the existing size of the models.
Drop
When the surface of a model is curved and uneven, the path does not fit the surface of the model perfectly, and the model on the path floats in mid-air. After using the " Drop" feature, the model will be automatically attached to the surface of the model closest to it.
FAQs
When using the path tool to place characters/vehicles/animals etc., does the effect change every time opening the archive?
This is the current effect in expectation.
Due to the use of the path tool, the scene is regenerated every time you open it, and it is not currently supported to save relevant parameters ( to make subsequent openings of the scene show the exact same effect as in the previous archive).
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