3D plants

The plant model in ENVI-met is undergoing huge modifications. Before, plants were just "candlesticks" for different LAD values and there has been a lot of confusion how to bring this in line with the shape of a tree as we used to know it. We fully see the point, that the representation of higher plants (bushes, trees,...) in ENVI-met is not satisfing given the high resolution of the model and it's normal application cases.

As a first step, we have implemented a 3D database structure to define trees in a more sophisticated way.

At the moment, the DB structure is using a 11 x 11 x 10 grid to define trees. The editor looks like this:

A new type of vegetation is now available then in ENVI-met, we call "3D vegetation":

Different to the 1D vegetation, you just define the center of the plant (tree) and ENVI-met build up the tree for you in the model.
The editor also fully suppors the new 3D model, and allows you to place vegetation by the mouse click:

The obvious advantage of the new model is that the trees are now really 3D, different types of vegetation can overlap and the geometrical form is automatically adjusted based on your model resolution.

Still, we are not happy with it as it is now.
It requires too much of handwork to design the trees. The new plant designer will therefore be called "ENVI-met Aristid". Those of you how know the name can guess where this all will go, the others.... stay tuned ;)))