Announcing the release of Forest Pack 8, the latest version of its advanced scattering and scene assembly plugin for 3ds Max. Version 8 cements Forest Pack’s reputation as the most robust and flexible scattering option with the addition of Forest Sets, linked areas, Effects improvements and much more.

These are the top new features available in Forest Pack 8:

Forest Set

Linked Areas and Surfaces

To further improve the options for creating interdependent scatters, Forest Pack 8 adds the ability to link to areas referenced in another Forest Pack object. Using this approach you could have a single parent Forest Object that controls all of the areas for several children. Combining Forest Sets and linked areas makes it easier than ever to create huge flexible interlinked ecosystems.

Areas Support in Surface UV Mode

In previous versions, to use surface UV mode you’d have to sacrifice the ability to use any other types of areas. In version 8, you can now use Spline, Object, and other area types in combination with UV surfaces by projecting them along one of 3 axes using the new Area->Projection Axis parameter. Edge mode is even supported when using spline areas.

Autumn Leaves

Forest Pack 8 comes with a new preset library of high quality photo-scanned leaves. The presets are logically organised by colour and supplied as both individual leaves for detail work and patches for filling large areas.

Forest Effects Improvements

Updates include the ability to use splines that are independent from distribution areas, opening up to a whole new way to work. Using these features it is possible to modify just the parts of a larger scatter by enclosing them inside a path that has no impact on distribution areas. It is also now possible to read the material ID from the surface and splines.  

New Forest Effect Presets

These are some of the new sample presets are available: the ability to rotate objects to follow splines, tilt objects to follow splines, scale by proximity to splines or within an area, limit by spline material ID and much more.

Filter Forest Effects

Forest Effects can now be filtered so that they only apply to a subset of the geometry list, allowing you to refine individual types of plants using the powerful effects system.

Scatter Linked Hierarchies

Forest Effects can now be filtered so that they only apply to a subset of the geometry list, allowing you to refine individual types of plants using the powerful effects system.

Randomise Position

Forest Effects can now be filtered so that they only apply to a subset of the geometry list, allowing you to refine individual types of plants using the powerful effects system.

Randomise Position

When using path mode, it’s now possible to shuffle the position of objects while still following the spline - great for breaking up regular patterns for a more believable distribution of plants or other objects.

Easier Error Identification

Save precious time by identifying issues at a glance. Forest Pack’s icon now changes colour depending on three different error states.

Paint Areas UI

The brush size parameter is now available in the main interface for easier access. 

User Properties

V-Ray CPU users will be pleased to know user properties are now retained making it possible to use advanced texturing workflows.

Vertex Colour

Arnold users can now take advantage of vertex colour in their materials and be confident that Forest Pack will retain the final look.

Find the new Forest Pack 8 at NOVEDGE and discover our huge selection of products that includes V-Ray, Corona Renderer and 3ds Max.