Making trees in maya
 

hello there!

First of all, if there is already thread on this topic, I apologize. But this is just a thing that is bugging me lately. So, I opened a new thread where hope I will find as much info as possible. But here few basic question:

1.) How would YOU make as realistic tree as posible
2) How to make a forest (huge amount of trees)
3) how to make a tree for modern and future games?

I know there is paint effect , but I'm not sure what would be the final result like, and how much freedom you have here?
I was thinking about the way to model a complex tree with branches and stuff, and then somwhow you particles to create leaves (or however they're called). if so, how exactly would I use those particles ?

And one final question: if you haven seen Warcraft 3 final cutscene, you can remember they made a forest. How did they do it?

So,if anyone has experience with realistic trees, please say something about it, maybe post some screenies so I can see what can I achive etc.

Cheers,
Sil-Valeor