Matrix.CreateBillboard

Thanks for replying. I checkout this function : Matrix.CreateBillboard (Vector3, Vector3, Vector3, Nullable<Vector3>, Matrix)

1) How do I implement this method so that I can create more than one billboards at a time in random positions ? Just like the purpose of the Billboard Sample.

2) Are the billboards drawn using spritebatch.draw ?

Thank you.

It would be pretty easy to combine the VegetationProcessor from the Billboard Sample and the TerrainProcessor from the Generated Geometry Sample to do this.

The TerrainProcessor takes in a TextureContent, and uses MeshBuilder to create a MeshContent. It then uses ContentProcessorContext.Convert to ask the content pipeline to use the base ModelProcessor to convert the finished MeshContent to a ModelContent. If you pass "VegetationProcessor" in to the Convert function instead of "ModelProcessor", you will apply the vegetation billboards to the terrain model.

Thanks for replying.

1) Do you have a working example of the combined you mentioned above ?

2) I scan through the BillboardSample, I don't see the .tga files being included in the solution window. Isn't it the same as normal process ? How do they import the picture files for use in the code then ?

1) Sorry, I don't. I know my explanation was a bit confusing, but once you understand what I'm suggesting, the code is actually very simple. Only a few lines. Feel free to ask any questions and I'll help out if I can.

2) Are you asking about the grass, tree, and cat textures? Content Processors can ask the Content Pipeline to build additional files without those files having to be in the solution window. This is how the textures that are applied to a model are built, without the textures themselves having to be in solution explorer. The VegetationProcessor extends from the ModelProcessor, so it gets the same behavior.

then I compiled. There was an error stating:
Error    1    Missing asset "C:\BillboardSample\Billboard\Content\fgrass.tga".    C:\BillboardSample\Billboard\Content\landscape.x    BillboardWindows

Thus, I was wondering how could I import in the additional contents ?

totti10:

anyone willing to give a helping hand ?

http://www.nfostergames.com/terrainSample.htm

There you go. Quad-tree terrain system with billboard grass.

The sample is fairly buggy with many ATi cards. It is an old sample, about a year old I believe, and I never had time to update it. It is likely written for XNA 1.0r, so you may have to do a little work to convert it to 2.0 (bloom postprocessing and index/vertex buffer calls). If anything at least the code may help you.

Are you Nic ?

totti10:

Hi Lord Ikon

Are you Nic ?

Yes, the link was from my own website, or I'd have given credit to someone else when I posted it. :)