Laubwerk, a Berlin-based developer of procedural plant models, offers a free selection of digital assets designed for computer graphics artists, architects, and visual effects specialists. This free offering, known as the Laubwerk Plants Kit Freebie, allows users to test the company's technology and integrate high-quality tree and plant models into 3D scenes without cost. The freebie includes specific plant species and comes with the Laubwerk Player plugin, which is essential for loading, modifying, and rendering the models. The availability of these assets provides a no-cost entry point for users of major 3D software applications to evaluate the quality and functionality of Laubwerk's procedural models.
The Plants Kit Freebie has evolved since its initial release. Originally containing two species, it was updated to include four distinct plant species. Each species in the updated freebie package comes with multiple variations, ages, and seasonal states, providing a substantial number of individual models for users to utilize. The assets are compatible with a range of popular 3D modeling and rendering software, including Autodesk 3ds Max, MAXON Cinema 4D, Autodesk Maya, Trimble SketchUp, and Sidefx Houdini. System requirements vary slightly depending on the specific software version and operating system. For example, compatibility extends from 3ds Max 2010 through 2022, Cinema 4D R12 through R19, and Maya 2014 through 2018. Additionally, for users working with SketchUp, compatibility requires either V-Ray for SketchUp or Thea Render for SketchUp. The installation process is managed through a dedicated installer, and updates to the freebie kit are available through the user's account page on the Laubwerk website.
The core of the Laubwerk offering is the Laubwerk Player plugin. This free plugin acts as both a browser and a control interface for the plant models. Through the Player, users can access the library of assets and drag and drop trees directly into their 3D scenes. The plugin provides fine-grained control over the models, allowing artists to select from different variations, adjust the age of the tree or plant, and change the seasonal state (e.g., summer, autumn, winter). Furthermore, it offers control over the Level of Detail (LOD), which is crucial for optimizing viewport performance and rendering times. The Player includes different viewport preview modes, such as Convex Hull and Skeleton, to help artists manage scene complexity and place objects efficiently without overloading the system. The models are designed to work with various rendering engines, including V-Ray.
While the Plants Kit Freebie is available at no cost, Laubwerk also offers a range of paid commercial kits. These paid kits contain a larger selection of plant species, typically 10 plants per kit, and are available for individual or multi-user licenses. For instance, a single-user license for a paid kit is priced at 149€ (excluding VAT). Purchased kits include customer support via email and free periodic updates for bug fixes and improvements. The company encourages users to keep their software up-to-date by downloading the latest versions from their account page. For users who are unsure about purchasing, the freebie serves as a comprehensive trial of the Laubwerk system. There is no mention of a traditional mail-in sample program or physical product trial; all offerings are digital downloads intended for use in computer graphics workflows.
Compatibility and technical requirements are a significant focus of the provided documentation. The Laubwerk Player and plant models are designed to run on systems capable of supporting the host 3D applications. Specific software versions supported include 3ds Max (2010-2022), Maya (2014-2018), Cinema 4D (R12-R19), SketchUp (2014-2018), and Houdini (versions 13-15.5). The freebie is available for Windows and Mac operating systems, with Linux support available for certain applications like Maya and Houdini upon request. A notable technical requirement for Windows users who wish to build custom importers is the installation of Python (compatible with versions 2.6, 2.7, 3.3, or 3.4). The models themselves require a minimal amount of hard disk space, approximately 10MB for the base installation, with additional space required for the plant model libraries.
User inquiries and community feedback highlight specific aspects of the Laubwerk ecosystem. For example, user questions have been raised regarding the compatibility of Laubwerk proxies with specific real-time rendering plugins, such as Enscape. This indicates that while the core assets are compatible with major rendering engines like V-Ray, integration with other third-party plugins may be a consideration for users. The provided source material does not offer a definitive answer on Enscape support but suggests it is a point of interest within the user community. The update history, such as the v1.0.37 release, shows a commitment to maintaining software compatibility with the latest versions of host applications, such as the addition of 3ds Max 2022 support, and ongoing bug fixes and material enhancements.
The Laubwerk Plants Kit Freebie represents a specific type of digital promotional offer. It is not a physical sample program but rather a software trial and free asset pack. The process to acquire the freebie involves visiting the Laubwerk website or authorized distribution partners, such as Ronen Bekerman's site, and proceeding through a checkout process where the price is set to zero. This "purchase" then grants access to the digital download and allows the user to register for an account, which is necessary for receiving future updates. The offer is designed to demonstrate the value of the Laubwerk technology, which focuses on creating procedural plant models that are both visually detailed and computationally efficient, avoiding the performance slowdowns often associated with complex organic models in 3D scenes. The models are generated procedurally, meaning they are not static meshes but are controlled by parameters, which allows for the extensive variations in age, shape, and season.
Conclusion
The Laubwerk Plants Kit Freebie is a significant promotional offer for the computer graphics community, providing a no-cost method to access and test a selection of procedural tree and plant models. The package includes four species with multiple variations, ages, and seasons, and requires the free Laubwerk Player plugin for operation. This plugin offers extensive control over the assets, including Level of Detail adjustments, which is vital for performance in complex 3D scenes. The freebie is compatible with a wide range of industry-standard 3D software, including 3ds Max, Cinema 4D, Maya, SketchUp, and Houdini, across various operating systems. It functions as a comprehensive trial, allowing potential customers to evaluate the technology before committing to the purchase of larger, paid plant kits. The availability of free updates and support for modern software versions underscores the company's commitment to its user base.
Sources
- CG Press - Laubwerk Plants Kit Freebie
- CG Channel - Download free procedural tree models from Laubwerk
- Ronen Bekerman Gumroad - Laubwerk Plants Kit 8
- Ronen Bekerman Gumroad - Laubwerk Plants Kit Free
- Ronen Bekerman Website - Laubwerk 3D Plants Kit
- Enscape Forum - Laubwerk Proxies Problem
- Toolfarm - Laubwerk Plants Kit v1.0.37 Update