本DVD告诉了大家如何将Onyx Tree suite集成到MAYA与MENTAL RAY的工作流程中，并且讲解了适用于任何对自然环境感兴趣的场景布局与渲染技术。我们先从Onyx Broadleaf讲解，它是一个快速创建各种不同的物理上正确的树木的工具。在讲解如何输出几何体到MAYA中的时候也讲解了它的用户界面，还有风力动画，以及一个导入ONYX动画的自定义的MEL代码。除了Onyx动画，我们还讲解了如何使用softbody lattices来手工的让树叶动起来。接着深入讲解了physical sun/sky，final gather，还有mia材质，还深入详细介绍了如何通过扫来创建自定义的树叶。我们使用Broadleaf技术来制作了一个植被繁茂的公路，这是使用AE合成的4K大小的渲染结果。包括了beauty，Zdepth，fog等层，还使用Lenscare，Magic Bullet与Sapphire等插件得到了后期特效。接着我们就研究了Onyx的Conifer, Palm与Bamboo，详解讨论了library与每种树的渲染技术。最后我们讲解了Mental Ray的proxies技术，这个技术允许艺术家在一个场景中拥有数十亿的多边形。

This DVD explores how to incorporate the Onyx Tree suite of programs into a Maya and Mental Ray workflow, while demonstrating scene layout and rendering techniques that apply to any artist interested in natural environments. We begin with Onyx Broadleaf, an invaluable tool for quickly creating a diverse library of physically accurate trees. The user interface is explained while demonstrating how to export geometry to Maya, including wind animation and a custom Gnomon mel script for importing Onyx animation. Beyond Onyx animation, we also look at how to use softbody lattices to manually animate tree leaves for quick turnaround animation. A thorough demonstration of physical sun/sky, final gather and miaMaterials for trees is then provided including a detailed review of how to create custom leaf textures from scans. Broadleaf techniques culminate in the creation of an overgrown Highway scene with a final 4k composite in After Effects that includes beauty, Zdepth, fog passes and post-process effects with the Lenscare, Magic Bullet and Sapphire plug-ins. Moving on, we then explore Onyx Conifer, Palm and Bamboo in equal detail discussing library and rendering techniques for each type of tree concluding with a photorealistic bamboo forest that introduces final gather techniques for deep shadow environments. We wrap up the DVD with a demonstration of Mental Ray proxies, allowing environment artists a methodology for populating scenes with billions of polygons. Suited to both students and professionals, Alex shares his in-depth knowledge hoping to inspire artists to delve further into the world of natural CG environments.