Here’s a quick list of facts to glance over to get started with PlantStudio. When you’re ready, try the PlantStudio tutorialTutorial>main.

What PlantStudio® is for

▪        PlantStudio exists purely to draw pictures of plants25R5_R1>main. It uses numbers (parametersUnderstanding_the_Parameters>main) you specify to simulate and draw 3D plants. PlantStudio can’t draw every plant that exists, but it does cover a variety of common herbaceousLVPPOU plants. 

▪        You can copyCopying_pictures>main pictures (bitmaps) of your plants to the Windows clipboard, you can saveSaving_pictures>main or printPrinting_pictures>main 2D pictures, and you can exportExporting_3D_models_in_general 3D models using several popular formats. There are some other output options you can explore in the File menu.

Starting PlantStudio for the first time

▪        When PlantStudio starts up for the first time, you will see an empty file with no plants in it. You should make a new plantMaking_a_new_plant_with_the_wizard>main or open a plant file.

Configuring plant bitmaps for your available memory

▪        Plant bitmapsUsing_plant_bitmaps>main speed up drawing considerably but also increase PlantStudio’s memory requirements by several megabytes. You can turn them on or off in the Options menu and control how much memory they use in the Preferences dialog.

Using hints 

▪        There are long hints (text popups) for nearly everything you can point the cursor at in the program. If you don’t see long hints, turn them onTurning_button_and_parameter_hints_on_and_off>second. You can also control the hint timingChanging_hint_timing>second. Remember that hints only appear when a PlantStudio window is on top in relation to other programs, including the help system. 

Using plant files

▪        In the main window is a list of plants in the open plant file. Visible plants have a seedling in front of their name. Click on the seedlings to hide or show plantsShowing_and_hiding_plants>second. Visible plants can be seen in the drawing area. If you can’t see any plants, choose Scale to Fit from the Layout menu.

▪        You can only have one plant file open at a time. To move plants between two plant files, use the plant moverUsing_the_plant_mover>main.

Using the drawing area mouse modes

▪        The first set of buttons on the toolbar under the menu on the main window determines what the mouse does in the drawing area.  

 Select/drag mode: Click to select plantsSelecting_plants>main; click and drag to moveMoving_and_arranging_plants>main them. This is the only cursor mode in which you can select plants (though you can always select them by choosing them from the plant list).

 Scroll mode: Click and drag to move the drawing area viewpoint.

 Rotate mode: Click and drag to rotateZooming/scrolling/rotating>main the selected plants. 

 Magnify mode: Click to zoom inZooming/scrolling/rotating>main; right-click or Shift-click to zoom out.

Posing selection mode: Click to select plant parts for posingPosing_plants.

Selecting plants

▪        You cannot select individual parts of plants (like leaves) unless you are in posing selection mode. 

▪        The plant you select first is called the focused plant8IN1RV>second. It is different from the other plants you select because you will see information about it in the panels located on the lower-right-hand corner of the main window. 

▪        If you click on one plant and get another, the other plant is first in the drawing orderWhat_is_the_drawing_order. This is more likely to happen when you are not using plant bitmapsIT406I.

Drawing options

▪        You can choose between drawing plants with Bounding Boxes, Wire Frames, Solids, and with Custom drawing options by choosing Draw Using in the Options menu. When you copy, save or print a picture, or create an animation or nozzle/tube file, the current drawing options are used. The drawing options have no effect on 3D export.

Changing plant age and parameters

▪        In the Arrangement panel, you can changeRotating_plants>main the position, size, and x, y and z rotations3MEF02G of selected plants.

▪        In the Parameters panel, you can choose a parameter section2DM7_UT from the drop-down list and change valuesUsing_parameter_panels>main in the parameter panels1YGTBP4. 

▪        In the Age panel, you can drag the red line back and forth to change the plant ageChanging_plant_ages_in_the_main_window>second. Click Animation to see a plant grow through its life cycle quickly.

▪        The Stats panel shows statistics for evaluating how plant parts growUsing_the_Stats_panel_to_evaluate_biomass_distribution>second. There is nothing to click on there; it is for display only.

▪        The Note panel is for viewing and changing the noteEditing_plant_notes for each plant.

Using 3D objects

▪        Leaves, flowers, fruits, buds and root tops are drawn using 3D objects1T3LP40. You can choose from a library of 3D objects or make your ownEditing_3D_objects>main. 3D objects have two colors: the front face and back face color. If you change one of these colorsUsing_color_parameter_panels>second and you can’t see anything happening, change the other face color.

Breeding

▪        Breeding makes new plants by randomly changing (“mutating”) parameters from one or two parents. To breed plantsZIECV3>main, select one or two plants in the main window, then choose Breed from the Plant menu. The new generation1VHOC04 of offspring will appear in the breeder. 

Making time series

▪        Making a time series creates a series of plants, each at a different age. To make a time seriesMaking_time_series>main, select a plant in the main window, then choose Make Time Series from the Plant menu. The new series will appear in the time series window. 

Created with the Personal Edition of HelpNDoc: Benefits of a Help Authoring Tool