Interactive Data Visualization have been developing SpeedTree, a tree simulation technology that will be soon made available for 3ds max and VIZ. SpeedTree will offer both 3ds max users and real-time 3D developers a way to get realistic, customized and animated trees (that blow in the wind in real-time) into their work without the huge resource and rendering requirements of high-detail virtual trees. Comprising only a few hundred or a few thousand polygons, a tree developed with SpeedTree can be used in both offline and real-time work, and is even suitable for gaming where realistic trees can greatly enhance the gamer’s experience. The 3ds max plugin will be distributed by Digimation at a list price of $395.

(continued...)