SpeedTree

SpeedTree is a group of vegetation programming and modeling software products developed and sold by Interactive Data Visualization, Inc. (IDV) that generates virtual foliage for animations, architecture and in real time for video games and demanding real time simulations.

SpeedTree
Developer(s)Interactive Data Visualization, Inc. (IDV)
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)
Operating systemWindows, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Mac OS X, Linux
TypeGame Middleware and Animation
WebsiteSpeedTree Official Website
SpeedTree YouTube

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 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 Scientific and Technical Academy Award in 2015,[5] presented to IDV founders Michael Sechrest and Chris King, and Senior Engineer Greg Croft.[6][7]

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 "computer-aided design") was developed by IDV for a real-time golf simulation. Although backers pulled out of the golf project, IDV refined the CAD software as a 3D Studio Max plug-in for an animated architectural rendering, dubbing it SpeedTreeMAX.[8]

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.[8] IDV eventually released plug-ins for Maya as well, appropriately named SpeedTreeMAYA. In early 2009, IDV discontinued the SpeedTreeMAX and SpeedTreeMAYA plugins, replacing them with SpeedTree Modeler and Compiler products.

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 real-time rendering.

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 Avatar by James Cameron. SpeedTree Cinema is designed for use in the film industry, and generates high-resolution meshes and high-quality textures for Autodesk 3ds Max, Autodesk Maya and Cinema4D.[13][14] The Cinema edition includes SpeedTree Modeler, and the complete Tree Model Library designed by IDV, while with some other suites tree packs must be purchased separately.[13] Several members of the SpeedTree line can simulate animated growth of trees and plants and seasonal changes, and can export data for animated wind effects.[13]

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 Autodesk 3ds Max, Autodesk Maya and Rhino.[16] The Architect edition also exports normal maps and UV maps, for physically-accurate rendering engines such as V-Ray and mental ray.[16]

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 independent game studios. The licensing fee is a US$19 monthly charge, as well as additional charges for tree packs.[20] Subscribers get access to the SpeedTree editor, the ability to generate 3D models of trees and plants, such plants being exclusively usable with either Unreal Engine 4[21] or Unity,[22][23] depending on the license. Subscribers can download additional tree model packs from the Model Library, and pricing varies between packs.[24][25]

Components

SpeedTree Modeler is a Windows-based specialized modeling tool for designing foliage.[26] The modeler features a combination of procedural tree generation, and hand-editing tools, to draw trees or transform individual tree parts.[26] Procedural tree generation uses configuration such as branch length, branching angles and bark texture to generate a tree in a variety of formats. Newer versions support a drag-and-drop interface that automatically blends branch intersections and handles branch collisions.[14][27]

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 multi-platform C++ SDK that efficiently handles rendering of SpeedTree-generated trees and forests. The engine is designed to integrate and operate within a larger game engine, with ready-made support for Unreal Engine, Unity and OGRE.[17][28] The engine contains optimized systems to cull off-screen trees, and to determine level of detail for on-screen trees.[17][29] Full source code is available to licensees for use in video games and other real-time applications, and modification of the engine is supported.[17] The engine is built to work with Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Xbox, PlayStation and PlayStation Vita.[27]

Partners

IDV is a licensed middleware partner with PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One.

IDV has partnered with Epic Games in order to integrate the software with Epic's Unreal Engine 4 and Unreal Engine 3 and the free UDK engine released in November 2009. Partnerships have also been formed between IDV and BigWorld Tech, the Vision Engine by Havok, Multiverse Network, the Gamebryo engine by Emergent Game Technologies and the OGRE open-source rendering engine by Torus Knot.

Awards

  • SpeedTree won a Scientific and Technical Academy Award in 2015.[9]
  • SpeedTree was accorded a Primetime Emmy Engineering Award in 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:

Selected recent, upcoming and/or popular titles featuring SpeedTree for Games:

TitleYearDeveloper
Absolver2017Sloclap
America's Army 32009United States Army
Ark: Survival Evolved2017Studio Wildcard
Assassin's Creed Unity2014Ubisoft Montreal
Detroit: Become Human2018Quantic Dream
Batman: Arkham Asylum2009Rocksteady Studios
Batman: Arkham City2011Rocksteady Studios
Batman: Arkham Knight2015Rocksteady Studios
Battlefield 32011EA Digital Illusions CE
Battlefield 4[31]2013EA Digital Illusions CE
Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway2008Gearbox Software
Call of Duty 32006Treyarch
Champions Online2009Cryptic Studios
Crackdown2007Realtime Worlds
Dakar 182017Bigmoon Studios
Destiny[29][30]2014Bungie
Destiny 22017Bungie
Digital Combat Simulator[32]2017Eagle Dynamics
Dragon Age: Inquisition2014BioWare
Dragon Age: Origins2009BioWare Edmonton
Elden Ring2022FromSoftware
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion2006Bethesda Game Studios
The Evil Within2014Tango Gameworks
The Evil Within 22017Tango Gameworks
Empire: Total War2009The Creative Assembly
Fallout 32008Bethesda Game Studios
Far Cry 42014Ubisoft Montreal
Far Cry 52018Ubisoft Montreal
Far Cry Primal2015Ubisoft Montreal
Final Fantasy XV2016Square Enix
Forza Horizon2012Playground Games
Forza Horizon 32016Playground Games
Forza Horizon 42018Playground Games
Forza Motorsport 52013Turn 10 Studios
Forza Motorsport 62015Turn 10 Studios
Forza Motorsport 72017Turn 10 Studios
Friday the 13th: The Game2017IllFonic
Gears of War 32011Epic Games
Ghost of Tsushima2020Sucker Punch Productions
Ghostwire: Tokyo2022Tango Gameworks, Bethesda Softworks
Gran Turismo Sport2017Polyphony Digital
Gravel2018Milestone srl
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands2017Ubisoft
Grand Theft Auto IV2008Rockstar North
H1Z1: Just Survive2015Daybreak Game Company
Hawken[33]2012Adhesive Games
Heavenly Sword2007Ninja Theory
Hitman2016IO Interactive
Horizon Zero Dawn2017Guerrilla Games
IL-2 Sturmovik: Cliffs of Dover20111C Company/Team Fusion Simulations
Jurassic World Evolution2018Frontier Developments
Killzone: Shadow Fall2013Guerrilla Games
LocoCycle2013Twisted Pixel Games
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor2014Monolith Productions
Middle-earth: Shadow of War2017Monolith Productions
MotoGP 182018Milestone srl
Nier: Automata2017Square Enix
No Man's Sky2016Hello Games
Obduction2016Cyan Worlds
The Order: 18862015Ready at Dawn
Primal Carnage2013Lukewarm Media
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds2017BlueHole Studio
Project Gotham Racing 42007Bizarre Creations
Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction2007Insomniac Games
Resident Evil Village 2021 Capcom
Resistance 22008Insomniac Games
Saints Row2006Volition
Saints Row 22008Volition
Saints Row: The Third2011Volition
Saints Row IV2013Volition
Skylanders: Swap Force2013Vicarious Visions
Sports Champions2010San Diego Studio
Star Wars: The Old Republic2011BioWare
State of Decay2013Undead Labs
Sudden Strike 42017Kite Games
Shadow of the Colossus2018Bluepoint Games
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2006 (Xbox 360 only)2005EA Sports
Tom Clancy's The Division2015Massive Entertainment
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege Operation Chimera2018Ubisoft Montreal
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End2016Naughty Dog
Unreal Tournament 32007Epic Games
Valkyria Chronicles2008Sega Wow
Watch Dogs 22016Ubisoft Montreal
World of Tanks2008Wargaming
Warriors Orochi 3[34]2011Tecmo Koei
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt2015CD Projekt Red
Zoo Tycoon2013Frontier Developments

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:

Year Film
2018Avengers: Infinity War
2018Black Panther
2018Monster Hunt 2
2017Alien: Covenant
2017Kingsman: The Golden Circle
2017Beauty and the Beast
2017Despicable Me 3
2017The Fate of the Furious
2017Kong: Skull Island
2017Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
2017Wonder Wheel
2016Allied
2016The Jungle Book
2016Captain America: Civil War
2016Rogue One
2016Snowden
2016The Legend of Tarzan
2016Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows
2016Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
2016Warcraft
2016Independence Day: Resurgence
2016Alice Through the Looking Glass
2015Star Wars: The Force Awakens
2015The Revenant
2015Cinderella
2015Spotlight
2015Jurassic World
2015San Andreas
2015Point Break
2015The Wave
2015Crimson Peak
2015Goosebumps
2015Pan
2015The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
2015Avengers: Age of Ultron
2015Mad Max: Fury Road
2015In the Heart of the Sea
2015Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!
2015McFarland, USA
2015Unbroken
2015Tomorrowland
2015Ax Men
2014Godzilla
2014Lucy
2014Hercules
2014Into the Storm
2014Maleficent
2014Noah
2014The Nut Job
2014The Giver
2014The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1
2014The Hundred-Foot Journey
2014Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
2014Captain America: The Winter Soldier
2014Birdman
2014Pompeii
2014Vikings
2014X-Men: Days of Future Past
201347 Ronin
2013Thor: The Dark World
2013Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
2013G.I. Joe: Retaliation
2013The Great Gatsby
2013Iron Man 3
2013Jack the Giant Slayer
2013The Lone Ranger
2013Star Trek Into Darkness
2013White House Down
2013The Wolf of Wall Street
2013World War Z
2013Olympus Has Fallen
2013The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
2013Free Birds
2012Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
2012The Avengers
2012Mirror Mirror
2012Life of Pi
2012The Men Who Built America
2012Snow White and the Huntsman
2011Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
2011Super 8
2009Avatar
2008Speed Racer

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 Apache attack helicopter FLIR simulation 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

  1. Hollywood’s movie tech wizards honoured by Oscars organizers, LiveMint
  2. SpeedTree Brings Photoreal Vegetation to The Wolf of Wall Street, ComputerGraphicsWorld
  3. Avatar Profile, SpeedTree website
  4. The Science Behind Oscar's Award-Winning Trees And Tresses, PhysicsCentral
  5. SpeedTree® Receives a Scientific and Technical Academy Award®, Gamasutra
  6. 21 SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENTS TO BE HONORED WITH ACADEMY AWARDS®, OSCARS Website
  7. Local Computer Graphics Company Earns Academy Award for Technical Achievement Archived 2016-07-19 at the Wayback Machine, FreeTimes
  8. "Middleware Postmortem: IDV Inc's SpeedTreeRT". Gamasutra.com. 17 May 2005. Retrieved 2009-11-30.
  9. "21 Scientific and Technical Achievements to be Honored with Academy Awards®". 13 January 2015.
  10. McAloon, Alissa. "Unity acquires SpeedTree creator Interactive Data Visualization". www.gamasutra.com. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  11. "SpeedTree® creator Interactive Data Visualization, Inc. (IDV) joins Unity". Unity Blog. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  12. "Release Notes [SpeedTree Documentation]". docs9.speedtree.com. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  13. SpeedTree Cinema, SpeedTree Store
  14. SpeedTree v6.1.1 Provides Support for Cinema 4D, Animation World Network
  15. SpeedTree Studio
  16. SpeedTree Architect
  17. SpeedTree for Games, SpeedTree
  18. SpeedTree SDK Middleware, SpeedTree
  19. SpeedTree Compiler, SpeedTree
  20. SpeedTree Modeler for Unreal Engine 4 adopts $19 per month subscription fee, DevelopOnline
  21. SpeedTree for UE4* Subscription Modeler, SpeedTree
  22. SpeedTree for Unity 5, SpeedTree
  23. SpeedTree® for Unity® 5 Beta Launched, Gamasutra
  24. Tree packages for Unreal Engine 4, SpeedTree Store
  25. Tree packages for Unity, SpeedTree Store
  26. SpeedTree Modeler Features, SpeedTree website
  27. New Optimized SpeedTree Version Adds Support For Vita, Mac, DirectX 11, Gamasutra
  28. SpeedTree integrated into Unreal Engine 4, DevelopOnline.net
  29. SpeedTree plants roots in Bungie's Destiny, DevelopOnline
  30. "Destiny to Feature SpeedTree For Games for Creating Environmental Vegetation". GamingBolt.com.
  31. Battlefield 4 Teaser Trailers Teases Tanks And Boats, CinemaBlend
  32. "Twomoreweeks.net | Home".
  33. Hawken Will Use SpeedTree, CinemaBlend
  34. Warriors Orochi 3 Using IDV's SpeedTree, CinemaBlend
  35. "Official announcement" (PDF). multigen.com.
  36. "Official announcement" (PDF). speedtree.com. April 12, 2006.
  37. "Official announcement" (PDF). speedtree.com. February 21, 2006.
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