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Image ModifiedScatter Object Modifier

Maxwell Scatter allows you to easily distribute trees, stones, or entourage elements throughout your form•Z Bonzai3d project. With

Scatter is a parametric object modifier, which means that it simply 'grows' on an existing form•Z Bonzai3d base object, such as a terrain model.

The general workflow for setting up Scatter through the plugin is outlined below. See sections that follow for details on each step.

Workflow
  1. Create MXS: Scatter places MXS references. ot necessary if you have already built or purchased a collection of MXS entourage.
  2. Define Scattering Parameters. Set up density, random scaling, and random rotation in a Scatter Definition. are created in the project's Object Modifier Library.
  3. Apply. Any number of Scatter Definitions may be applied to a base object, via the objects Maxwell Attributes.
  4. Render. Scattered objects are generated at render time.

Create MXS

 

Define Definition

The form•Z Bonzai3d plugin introduces the concept of Scatter Definitions, which are defined and stored in the Object Modifier Library.

...

The Scatter Library is stored with your project.

 

Apply Scatter to Base Objects

To apply one or more Scatter definitions to a base object, such as a terrain model, see: form•Z Bonzai3d | Object Attributes and Modifiers

Render

There are a few things to keep in mind when using Scatter, from a resources point of view:

  • Scatter uses very little storage space. A form•Z Bonzai3d project with many scattered objects will be pretty much the same size as one without (other things being equal).
  • Using Scatter will not affect performance of form•Z Bonzai3d during modeling in any way (compared with, for instance, millions of components).

  • Scatter can consume a great deal of memory when it is rendered. Fire rendering with a lot of Scatter on OSX (32-bit) or Windows 32-bit can lead to out-of-memory issues.

  • However, rendering in Maxwell Render (standalone renderer) will use all the memory available on your system, so rendering very complex scenes is possible.

 

Displaying Scatter in Fire


To show Scatter in Maxwell Fire, enable Maxwell Features> Scatter in Fire Preferences. In the OSX (32-bit) and Windows 32-bit plugins, keep this option disabled, except when doing small tests to set up the look of the Scatter. Attempting to render vast numbers of scattered objects in a 32-bit plugin can lead to out-of-memory issues.