While 3D models can be sampled by fine grain voxels, the strength of Acropora lies in rendering complex, multi-joined surfaces that are inherently difficult using conventional modelling tools: Labyrinthin cave structures, complex organic weaves, believable rock outcroppings, overhangs, and canyons are just a few of the possiblities. Voxel modelling via implicit mathematical expression is by its very nature a non-precision approach to sculpting surfaces. Acropora can also be used to test and develop procedural surfaces, that are later applied in shaders for mesh generation in hardware.
In addition to applying global modifiers the user can create localised regions or volumes, operating in tandem or independent of other regions. GPU support provides realtime response to volume editing. Acropora automatically takes care of alignment, ensuring smooth seams between adjacent meshes. Mesh operations can be carried out globally on the entire mesh or on selected/activated blocks. Density function evaluation is numerically intensive therefore, the volume is often broken down into blocks. Once the iso-surface is extracted the user can smoothen, tesselate, optimise or filter the resulting mesh. Mesh generation begins with a base geometry and combines complex noise sampling with user-specified shape modifiers to generate a unique density field, which is then “marched” to generate a surface that becomes the solution mesh. Multithreaded CPU support and GPU acceleration (on supported cards) Mesh decimation, smoothing and tesselation.įX effect file support and multitexturing Intuitive editing and manipulation of very large meshes User-specified volume block and voxel dimensions.Īutomatic generation of up to 15 octaves of noise (user-programmable settings include orientation, strength, quality, frequency, phase, and range of influence) Voxelisation of user imported models (.3DS. Meshes can then be broken up into segments, with segments further divided into different levels of details.Ī variety of base shapes including sphere, plane, cylinder, torus and others.Ĭompound shapes (heightmaps, pillars, caves, weaves) The resulting meshes contain caves, ridges, overhangs and other natural features that are not possible with height maps. The effect is to create an endless, seamless expanse of surface that undulates and changes in a natural way. Acropora adopts a less deterministic approach to generating complex, organic shapes by applying sequences of modifiers on large voxelized meshes. The resulting mesh can then be retopologized via surface operators (tesselation, smoothing, optimisation.).Ī procedural modeler, Acropora combines volumetric modifiers with multi-octave 3D noise sampling to generate detailed surfaces in far less time than conventional surface modeling software. Acropora takes user imported models or user specified primitives and modifies them spatially via volumetric noise modifiers, geometric modifiers and warps. Voxelogic is developing a voxel-based mesh modeller called Acropora.