Pine Tree

Project

Today, I am excited to share with you my process of creating Pine Trees.

In this article, I will cover the production and artistic journey using Unreal Engine to do so.

Reference & Inspiration

The welcoming pines of Huangshan, China particularly inspire me.

Their unique and artistic forms have always fascinated me, and I wanted to create a similar tree. I gathered numerous references to capture the essence of these trees.

While the leaf design was straightforward, creating a realistic yet artistic trunk was challenging. I combined real photos with works from various talented artists to achieve the desired look.

Tools

To bring my vision to life, I used the following software:

• Maya: For low-poly modeling, UV mapping, and modular assembly.
• Zbrush: For high-poly sculpting.
• Marmoset Toolbag: For baking model textures.
• Substance 3D Painter: For texturing the model.
• SpeedTree: For generating branches and leaves.
• Unreal Engine: For final composition and lighting.

Initial Modeling

I began the project in Maya, starting with a large structure and refining it gradually. Maya allowed me to create a precise initial shape.

During the modeling phase, I used the ClayBuildup brushes in Zbrush for 80% of the tree sculpting.

My ideas evolved as I worked on the model. Initially, I felt the shape lacked boldness, so I created another version.

I relied on Zbrush’s default brushes for large-scale sculpting to keep my process clear and straightforward.

Refining Branch Shapes

I continued to optimize the branches, aiming for a more natural look. Once satisfied, I created a low-poly model and used Zbrush’s automatic surface reduction to save time.

I chose Marmoset Toolbag for its excellent AO information and basic texture-baking capabilities for texture baking.

SpeedTree Integration

SpeedTree played a crucial role in my workflow, significantly enhancing production efficiency.

For the leaves, I used a plan from SpeedTree’s built-in examples and modified it to suit my needs.

Texturing Trunks & Branches

For the trunk and branch textures, I aimed for a realistic material finish. Substance 3D Painter allowed me to experiment with various bark materials to achieve a rich, non-monotonous texture.

Consistent color variation was essential to mimic natural growth patterns.

Rendering in Unreal Engine

Scene 1: Highlighting the Main Tree

In the first scene, I built a simple rock platform and water surface to keep the focus on the tree, ensuring minimal distractions.

Scene 2: Capturing the Silhouette

The second scene emphasized the tree’s silhouette, an aspect I find crucial for impactful visual storytelling.

Scene 3: Realistic Integration

The third scene aimed to showcase the tree’s realistic structure within a lifelike environment, highlighting its authenticity and rational design.

Conclusion

Creating this pine tree was a blend of artistic inspiration and technical execution.

By utilizing various software and refining my approach, I was able to bring my vision to life in Unreal Engine.

Thank you for following along with my process, and I hope this guide inspires your creative projects!