Set Planting Zones



This feature is new since version 1.500. Planting zones allow other geometry objects (closed splines, editable polys/meshes, patches, etc.) to define regions where planting will be allowed or not.

It is convenient when you need to plant objects in a specific shape. For instance, when planning to design a garden in a certain shape, it is useful to use this 'Planting Zones' feature. While 'GroundWiz Layer Limits' is used to randomly place objects on a bigger area, 'Planting Zones' can be used for a smaller and planned area.

When planting zones are used, GroundWiz will use zone objects to further limit areas where planting is allowed or disallowed. Only those objects that are close enough to the terrain will affect the planting. Maximum distance of how far the zone object will be scanned for is controlled via 'Max Ray Distance' option.


Include Zones - Closed splines or any mesh convertible objects can be used to define planting zones. When the checkbox is on, Planter will allow planting on terrain only if any of the 'Include Zone' max objects is close enough to the terrain (less than 'Max Ray Distance').

Max Objects with prefix - Planter will use max scene objects with name prefixes defined in this list to create placement zones.

    Add - To include a new object name prefix that will define planting zones, in edit box, type in a new prefix and press 'Add' button.

    Del - Removes the selected name prefix string.

1. Mesh object to define planting zone

2. Planting trees with brushing tool





3. After planting is done

4. Hiding the mesh object




Exclude Zones - Planter will use max scene objects with name prefixes defined in this list to create placement exclusion zones. When the checkbox is on, Planter will NOT place objects in the zones defined by objects from this list.

Max Objects with prefix - Planter will use max scene objects with name prefixes defined in this list to create 'Exclude Zones'.

    Add - To include a new object name prefix that will define 'Exclude Zones', in edit box, type in a new prefix and press 'Add' button.

    Del - Removes the selected name prefix string.

1. Orange circle of which the zone will be excluded from planting

2. Planting trees with brushing tool





3. After planting is done

4. Hiding the mesh objects




Options

Max Ray Distance - Sets the distance of how far from the ground Planter will scan to find max objects that define include and exclude planting zones.

The picture above explains how Planter scans for planting zones. First, Planter scans along ground surface normal in the up (positive) direction to find closest max object from the include zone list. The maximum scan distance is defined by 'Max Ray Distance' parameter. Next, if no object is hit, Planter scans along ground surface normal in the down (negative) direction. The same is done afterwards for exclusion zones.
Exclusion zone test is done after inclusion zone test therefore exclusion zone test overrides inclusion zone (further limits the area of planting).