++scenes;

CGメイキング，Terragen 4の使い方，その他お知らせ

(Terragen 4) PBR Node Generator

terragen4 terragen cg

TL;DR

  • Tiny desktop application to generate Terragen 4 node network to import PBR textures into Terragen 4 has been released.

  • Available for Windows / Mac OSX

  • It is still prototype and C&C is welcome to improvement it!

Background

When you'd like to use the PBR workflow in Terragen 4, you will take some steps. First, you prepare Image Map Shaders for each map, such as Albedo, AO, Displacement, etc. Next, enter common properties, e.g., projection, flip texture, repeat mapping, size, .. Finally you will prepare a Default Shader, and connect all Image Map Shaders to the Default Shader. With this application the workflow will be easier. This generates nodes and automatically sets above common parameters. If you use MEGASCANS assets, it is done more easily. You can import texture paths and physical size from that JSON file.

Download unavailable as I am rewriting the application to support Terragen RPC feature introduced in v4.6. Release target is Dec. 2022 or Jan. 2023. The app will be Python-based.

How to Use

Set texture paths

When you run the application you will see this window.

If you want to use MEGASCANS asset click "Import from MEGASCANS JSON Config." and select a JSON file located in the asset folder.

The application automatically reads the selected JSON and extract texture paths. The texture paths are listed in the selectbox. Note that the application checks existence of the texture file. The path will not be listed if the file is not in the directory.

If you want to use another texture, press "Add" and choose a texture you want to use.

If the path is blank the corresponding Image Map Shader will not be generated. For example, if the asset does not contain Displacement map, the application skips generating Image Map Shader for displacement map.

Select network type

Next, you can choose node topology. Currently three types are available.

Basic - Non-metalic

Basic - Metalic

Basic - Mixed (v0.3.0+)

The nodes are generated in align with the instruction on the official forum.
PBR Workflow

Check "Use Glossiness as roughness function" if you use glossiness map as roughness function. (roughness map is ignored)
Check "Use Bump as roughness function" if you use bump map as displacement function. (displacement map is ignored)

Set common properties

Now let's fill out properties used in among Image Map Shaders.

You can set "Projection", "Position", "Size", "Flip X/Y", and "Repeat X/Y". Physicalsize Value written in the JSON is used for "Size".

Also you can set Node Title Prefix. If you import MEGASCANS JSON the asset ID will be set as the prefix. Each node will be titled like "scnmyqp0 - Albedo"

Parameters in the Default Shader are set as shown in the table below. Values not listed in the table will be default.

Basic - Non-metalic Basic - Metalic
Diffuse color 255,255,255 (white) 0, 0, 0 (Black)
Reflectivity 0, 0, 0 (Black) 255,255,255 (white)
Reflection tint 255,255,255 (white) 255,255,255 (white)
Index of refraction 1.5 10
Roughness 1 1

Export network

The network can be exported by the buttons at the bottom of the window. The application can save network as TGC, or copy to clipboard.

Known Issues & Bugs

  • "Basic - Metalic" has not been enough tested yet.
  • [OS X] The settings are erased when you close the window by the red close button.
  • Size written in the JSON is used while it should be 1 when UV mapping.

Demo

(development version is used in the demo)

Download

Sorry temporary unavailable.
I am working to update app to support v4.5.

Feedback

As of now this app is prototype version. To improve the functionality and usability, your feedback is welcome!
If you have any idea, please tell me on the Planetside forum! Also let me know if you have any problem.

Simple PBR Node Generator

Version History

May. 31st, 2020 Prototype (v0.2.2).

Jun. 3rd, 2020 v0.3.0. Added "Basic Mixed" mode, mix both Non-Metal/Metal by a merge shader.