SkIndigo Progress Updates (Whaat's Development Blog)

[Whaat]

OK...This is my last fog test that I will post. I just thought it looked too cool. No XML editing, no complicated setup, just one light, 3 glass spheres, and turning on Sketchup Fog. Notice the volume caustic below the bottom sphere caused by light from the volume caustic on the upper sphere. Ono, how do you do it??

[manitwo]

.... seriously

[OnoSendai]

lol... a volume caustic... of a volume caustic. Cool!

[Kram1032]

nothing more to say!
I'd like to see more fog tests!
You don't have to stop!
Maybe, you should an own thread, though...

[Koba]

That last fog test is so sweet.

Koba

[Whaat]

I still have a lot of testing and bug-fixing before the next release but here's what's going on....

Instancing has now been implemented. Still a couple of glitches but almost finished. For those who don't know, instancing can be a HUGE memory and export speed optimization depending on your model. For Sketchup users, if you use components that are copied several times, you will see a significant export speed increase when enabling instancing. You will be able to enable instancing for any component in your model. It is a completely optional feature.

Here are some numbers from the titanic model (downloaded from 3D warehouse):

Without Instancing:
Export Time=1m 44sec
XML Filesize=51 MB

With Instancing:
Export Time=41 seconds
XML Filesize=24 MB

In other news, the "Failure to Load Texture" problem that most users of SkIndigo 0.7test7 have likely been experiencing will be fixed. All of your textures will be exported even if they are not currently applied to any geometry in your model (bump maps, unused materials, etc.)

[Whaat]

@Kram1032:

Here's one more fog test/instancing test for you. Way in the distance you can just barely see the second bridge support. BTW, models are from the 3D Warehouse.

Whaat

[Kram1032]

I see
weak fog - great effect!
More or less an additional DoF that also washes out the colour
the car instances look great

[peer]

Hi Whaat, what settings do you use for fog? I tried a very low type fog, but it still is quite foggy. I don't know if that's (another ) Mac thing.

Regards,

Peter

[Whaat]

For fog export, the left-most slider should always be set at zero distance. The right-slider should be set to the distance that you want objects to be completely blocked by the fog (not visible). That should get you started. You might have to do a couple quick test renders until you are satisfied. If your fog is too thick, drag the right slider closer to infinity.

Warning: expect very long render times when using fog.

[Whaat]

Here is my first test with the awesome new diffuse transmitter material:
Any regular diffuse material that has Sketchup transparency enabled will be exported as a diffuse transmitter. Actually, during export, it will be converted internally to a Blend material that blends between the diffuse transmitter material and a 100% diffuse material. The Sketchup opacity slider controls the amount of blending. All this is in keeping with my WYSIWYG concept with SkIndigo.
From left to right the opacity is set at 80, 50, and 30 (blend factor=0.8,0.5,0.3). Notice the variation between the inner and outer surface of the lampshade for each setting. Interesting....
One of the best features of this material is that it does not need to have thickness. I think SU users will really appreciate this one, Ono... Now, if only you waited a bit longer between releases so I could take a much-needed break from working on this.....
BTW, I know these are the ugliest lampshades in the world...

[suvakas]

Nice !
I'm about to add this new mat type into Maxigo too and i like your approach.
I wanted to ask about the diffuse material (i haven't done any test myself yet)
Is it only plain color or does it has the same bitmap applied as for transmitter material?

[Whaat]

suvakas: The diffuse component is a carbon copy of the diffuse_transmitter material (same texture). This is how they are exported.

Code: Select all

<material>
			<name>_D_Lampshade_D_</name>
			<diffuse>
				<colour>1.0 1.0 1.0</colour>
				<albedo_texture>
					<uv_set>uv</uv_set>
					<path>TX_Tutorial_SkIndigo07\Carpet_Pattern_LeafSquares_Tan.jpg</path>
 					<exponent>2.2</exponent>
 				</albedo_texture>
			</diffuse>
		</material>
		<material>
			<name>_DT_Lampshade_DT_</name>
			<diffuse_transmitter>
				<colour>1.0 1.0 1.0</colour>
				<albedo_texture>
					<uv_set>uv</uv_set>
					<path>TX_Tutorial_SkIndigo07\Carpet_Pattern_LeafSquares_Tan.jpg</path>
 					<exponent>2.2</exponent>
 				</albedo_texture>
			</diffuse_transmitter>
		</material>
		<material>
			<name>Lampshade</name>
			<blend>
				<a_name>_DT_Lampshade_DT_</a_name>
				<b_name>_D_Lampshade_D_</b_name>
				<blend_factor>0.8</blend_factor>
			</blend>
		</material>

[crc]

that looks really great Whaat,
can't wait to try that one out!!

[suvakas]

Gotcha !
Thanks for the explanation !