OTOY Forums

1.1 is now released.

[fix] Fixed a memory leak where file reading wasn't closed after import.

[new] AREA-scatter objects now have the ability to calculate in true 3d. That means it's now possible to create scatters on all kinds of surfaces, even vertical combined with horizontal ones. This is also useful when scattering on multiple floors where you'd want every floor to have a different looking scatter.

[improve] The AREA-scatter calculations are now interpolated from the source instead of using solely the range image -- scatter quality at very high density/scale is now drastically improved.

Quick development update. I'm working on a new type called RAY-scatter objects. They allow you to cast rays from the sky, raytracing the geometry below and placing instances on along the path of the rays or on the ray impacts with the world geometry.

This allows you to instance raindrops (and rain impacts!) or snowflakes in your scene, where the rain/snow takes into account the geometry! So if you have an overhead platform for example, the rain/snow would not go underneath it.

In the below renders, cylinder models have been used for raindrops and cones for rain impacts.





Edit

Additionally, same scene with the cones in white at a very high density (600,000 cones total).

The update to 1.2 has been released!

[change] You can now zoom out more in the 3D preview window.

[change] The function 'Export scatter CSV' has been renamed to 'Export all AREA/TRI CSV'

[new] New scatter object type: RAY

[new] New export function: Export single RAY CSV

[new] RAY-related functions: XY-margin, Z-margin, X-axis min, X-axis max, Y-axis min, Y-axis max, Place on face

[new] To prevent performance issues, the amount of instances in the preview window has been limited to 10000. The window will display a message when the limit is hit.

[improve] A new all-in-one matrix formula, combined with improved exporting speed, makes up for a speed boost for AREA-scatter instances for up to +600% speed.

Great job Guus. I hope to have some spare time and use your great software soon.

Yep, definately going straight into the right direction!

Development update. I have some very useful new stuff in the works for Phantom Scatter 1.3.

- Previews will not be just plane-based anymore. It will be possible to preview scatters right in imported OBJ scenes! You can fly around first person shooter style using the mouse and WASD+QE keys
- I am working on a brand new scatter type... More coming soon!

Unbelievable! Can't wait to try out the new features!

Phantom Scatter 1.3 is now released.

[fix] Fixed a slight rendering bug that occured when selecting scatter objects

[new] New preview mode that allows you to fly through your OBJ scene and preview your scatter(s). Works for AREA-type scatter objects. Select and hold the left mouse button in the OBJ preview view. Move the mouse to look around. Use the WASD keys to move the camera over the XY-plane. Use the Q and E keys to move over the Z axis. Hold the SHIFT-button to move faster. Hold the F key to enable the wireframe.

[improve] Rotating the camera in the preview window now locks the mouse in place when rotating (and hides the mouse cursor)​

[new] New buttons to define the scatter preview drawing distance in OBJ preview: 10 m, 25 m, 100 m

[improve] The preview window now displays either the currently selected size or scatter drawing distance

[fix] Fixed a very rare issue where incredibly small triangles caused a memory problem, resulting in a crash

[fix] Fixed a problem that occured when importing quads inside OBJs

[new] The software window can now be resized/maximized

Development update

As mentioned in the 1.3 release e-mail I am working on a new and improved interface.

I am using Inkscape to design/draw up the concept before I will actually start to program it. Note that I can't draw the main 3D view in Inkscape, I will design that one soon enough. Maybe get some cool shader effects in too. The image is at 1280x720 but you also will be able to set the window to any resolution higher than that. So the main 3D view will be a lot bigger if you're going to rock it at 1920x1080 (or higher!). Here's how it looks:



Notice

It is important to note that because I bring out the releases to a number of people, the e-mail might get recognised as spam and end up in your unwanted e-mail folder! So whenever there's an update in the topic here, please check your spam folder if you mailbox doesn't show the release e-mail.

This software looks more an more interesting ! Great work !