SpeedTree
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Developer(s) | Interactive Data Visualization, Inc. (IDV) |
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Stable release | SpeedTree for Games v9.0.1 (February 2, 2022) SpeedTree Cinema v9.1.3 (SpeedTree Studio v7 and SpeedTree Architect 7 were launched November 13, 2013, and discontinued upon the release of SpeedTree Cinema 8) SpeedTree 8.4.2 for Unreal Engine 4 (November 10, 2019) SpeedTree 8.4.2 for Unity (November 10, 2019) SpeedTree 8.4.2 for Amazon Lumberyard (November 10, 2019) |
Mac OS X, Linux | |
Type | Game Middleware and Animation |
Website | SpeedTree Official Website SpeedTree YouTube |
SpeedTree is a group of vegetation programming and modeling software products developed and sold by Interactive Data Visualization, Inc. (IDV) that generates virtual
SpeedTree has been licensed to developers of a range of video games for Microsoft Windows, and the Xbox and PlayStation console series since 2002.
SpeedTree Cinema has been used in more than 40 major films since its release in 2009,[1][2] including Iron Man 3, Star Trek Into Darkness, Life of Pi and Birdman, and was used to generate the lush vegetation of Pandora, in Avatar.[3][4]
SpeedTree was awarded a
History
SpeedTree was conceptualized at IDV in circa 2000, and originated due to the firm's lack of satisfaction with 3rd-party tree-generation software on the market.[8]
The initial version of SpeedTreeCAD (CAD standing for "
SpeedTreeMAX was released in February 2002, and toward the end of 2002, IDV released SpeedTreeRT, a real-time foliage/tree middleware SDK, which allowed automatic levels of foliage detail, real-time wind effects, and multiple lighting options.
IDV released SpeedTree 5 in July 2009, a version representing a "complete re-engineering" of the software and the first versions of SpeedTree enabling hand modeling and editing of vegetation models: SpeedTree Modeler (replacing SpeedTreeCAD), SpeedTreeSDK (replacing SpeedTreeRT) and SpeedTree Compiler, which prepares SpeedTree files for
SpeedTree Cinema was first released by IDV in 2009, based on version 5 technology. SpeedTree for Games (version 6) was released on November 7, 2011, and was essentially a re-branded version of SpeedTree 6 (Modeler + Compiler). The product was identified as SpeedTree for Games to distinguish it from other products not meant for gaming/real-time use.
SpeedTree Architect was released on October 15, 2012, and is designed for architectural 3D CAD use and 3D fly-throughs. IDV released updated versions of SpeedTree Cinema, SpeedTree Studio and SpeedTree Architect in November 2013. IDV released SpeedTree v7 for Unreal Engine 4 in July 2014. IDV released SpeedTree v7 for Unity 5 on the new engine version's launch date, in March 2015. IDV released SpeedTree for Games v7 on April 16, 2015.
IDV and three of its engineers received a Scientific and Technical Academy Award in 2015,[9] for their SpeedTree Cinema product suite.
IDV was acquired by Unity Technologies in July 2021.[10][11]
SpeedTree 9 was released on January 10, 2022. This version added new features such as freehand editing for branch bending. New branch features, zig-zag, jink, texture map skew correction can be found on the branch generator. Mesh Converter to help turn 3d trunk and branch scans into full tree models. Atlas control, HDRI lighting, USD export, material for backside of the leaf geometry[12]
Products
Suites
SpeedTree Cinema was released by IDV in 2009, and saw its first major use in
SpeedTree Studio was released by IDV in 2009 as a less expensive companion to SpeedTree Cinema. It does not include all Cinema features, nor the complete Tree Model Library.[15]
SpeedTree Architect was released in 2012, is designed for use in 3D architectural CAD. It generates meshes compatible with typical architectural applications such as
SpeedTree for Games is the edition of SpeedTree for video game development, contrasting with the Subscription edition offered to users of the Unity game development engine and certain versions of the Unreal Engine 4 engine.[17] The Games edition includes the Modeler, Compiler, and SDK.[17] This edition permits game developers to integrate SpeedTree runtime technology into any game engine of their choice.[18] Meshes generated with the system are low poly, with multiple levels of detail, use texture atlases, and are typically stored in an efficient binary format.[19]
SpeedTree Subscription Edition is a low-cost edition of SpeedTree Modeler and Runtime, targeted at
Components
SpeedTree Modeler is a
SpeedTree Compiler is a software that enables creation of efficient tree models for use in real-time rendering or video games. It generates texture atlases and compiles and optimizes tree models for real-time use.[19]
SpeedTree SDK is a
Partners
IDV is a licensed middleware partner with PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One.
IDV has partnered with
Awards
- SpeedTree won a Scientific and Technical Academy Award in 2015.[9]
- SpeedTree was accorded a Primetime Emmy Engineering Awardin October 2015.
- 2015 Develop Industry Excellence Award Winner, in the Design & Creativity Tool category. Develop, a UK-based magazine and website serving the game industry, first recognized industry achievements in a variety of categories in 2003.
- 2016 Develop Industry Excellence Awards Finalist, in the Design & Creativity Tool/Tech & Services category.
- 2008 Develop Industry Excellence Awards Finalist, in the Technology & Services, Tools Providers category.
- 2005 Frontline Award, Middleware category. This award program, sponsored by Game Developer magazine, recognizes exceptional game development tools.
- Frontline Award Finalist: 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2012
- MT2 Top 100: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. The MT2 Top 100 awards are sponsored by Kerrigan Media International and Military Training Technology to recognize companies and technologies that have made a significant impact in the military training industry.
Applications
Video game industry
SpeedTree for Games was licensed for its first video games, including The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, in December 2002. SpeedTree has been licensed for PC and next-generation console titles in a wide variety of genres. Studios that have used SpeedTree, or published games featuring the technology, include:
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Selected recent, upcoming and/or popular titles featuring SpeedTree for Games:
Film and animation industry
Following the release of SpeedTree Cinema in 2009, SpeedTree saw its first major cinematic use in 2009's Avatar, in which the technology provided the vegetation for the flyover of the planet Pandora in the first frames of the movie, as well as other scenes. Known movies and television productions featuring SpeedTree include:
Real-time applications
SpeedTree is being used in the following real-time projects and offerings:
- America's Army project, both the America's Army game and in non-public applications used for training, simulation, education, virtual prototyping and outreach
- An optional foliage module with the Vega Prime visualization product line.[35] Vega Prime is a 3D visual simulation software package used by the global military industry and in other game and non-game markets.
- An FLIRsimulation developed for the US Army by Camber Corp. for pilot training under night flying conditions
- The Expresso Fitness Virtual Reality Bike, a cardio exercise system developed by Expresso Fitness and sold to gyms and home users
- A combat simulation developed by Emergent Game Technologies for the US Department of Defense[36]
- A project under development by the Germany-based division of European Aeronautic Defence and Space (EADS)[37]
- The Forest Fire project, developed by the Media Convergence Laboratory (MCL) at the University of Central Florida. The project is helping to determine if a virtual reality presentation of wildfires can influence local residents to invest in prescribed burns and other protective efforts.
See also
References
- ^ Hollywood’s movie tech wizards honoured by Oscars organizers, LiveMint
- ^ SpeedTree Brings Photoreal Vegetation to The Wolf of Wall Street, ComputerGraphicsWorld
- ^ Avatar Profile, SpeedTree website
- ^ The Science Behind Oscar's Award-Winning Trees And Tresses, PhysicsCentral
- ^ SpeedTree® Receives a Scientific and Technical Academy Award®, Gamasutra
- ^ 21 SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENTS TO BE HONORED WITH ACADEMY AWARDS®, OSCARS Website
- ^ Local Computer Graphics Company Earns Academy Award for Technical Achievement Archived 2016-07-19 at the Wayback Machine, FreeTimes
- ^ a b c "Middleware Postmortem: IDV Inc's SpeedTreeRT". Gamasutra.com. 17 May 2005. Retrieved 2009-11-30.
- ^ a b "21 Scientific and Technical Achievements to be Honored with Academy Awards®". 13 January 2015.
- ^ McAloon, Alissa. "Unity acquires SpeedTree creator Interactive Data Visualization". www.gamasutra.com. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ "SpeedTree® creator Interactive Data Visualization, Inc. (IDV) joins Unity". Unity Blog. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ "Release Notes [SpeedTree Documentation]". docs9.speedtree.com. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
- ^ a b c SpeedTree Cinema, SpeedTree Store
- ^ a b SpeedTree v6.1.1 Provides Support for Cinema 4D, Animation World Network
- ^ SpeedTree Studio
- ^ a b SpeedTree Architect
- ^ a b c d e SpeedTree for Games, SpeedTree
- ^ SpeedTree SDK Middleware, SpeedTree
- ^ a b SpeedTree Compiler, SpeedTree
- ^ SpeedTree Modeler for Unreal Engine 4 adopts $19 per month subscription fee, DevelopOnline
- ^ SpeedTree for UE4* Subscription Modeler, SpeedTree
- ^ SpeedTree for Unity 5, SpeedTree
- ^ SpeedTree® for Unity® 5 Beta Launched, Gamasutra
- ^ Tree packages for Unreal Engine 4, SpeedTree Store
- ^ Tree packages for Unity, SpeedTree Store
- ^ a b SpeedTree Modeler Features, SpeedTree website
- ^ a b New Optimized SpeedTree Version Adds Support For Vita, Mac, DirectX 11, Gamasutra
- ^ SpeedTree integrated into Unreal Engine 4, DevelopOnline.net
- ^ a b SpeedTree plants roots in Bungie's Destiny, DevelopOnline
- ^ a b "Destiny to Feature SpeedTree For Games for Creating Environmental Vegetation". GamingBolt.com.
- ^ Battlefield 4 Teaser Trailers Teases Tanks And Boats, CinemaBlend
- ^ "Twomoreweeks.net | Home".
- ^ Hawken Will Use SpeedTree, CinemaBlend
- ^ Warriors Orochi 3 Using IDV's SpeedTree, CinemaBlend
- ^ "Official announcement" (PDF). multigen.com.
- ^ "Official announcement" (PDF). speedtree.com. April 12, 2006.
- ^ "Official announcement" (PDF). speedtree.com. February 21, 2006.
External links
- SpeedTree official website
- Interactive Data Visualization, Inc. Official Website - the website of the developers of SpeedTree.
- Gamasutra feature article on SpeedTree