There are several methods of adding vegetation to your Blender environment. Essentially, though, you can either use an actual 3D model of the plant / tree, or a 2D 'billboard' (or 2D 'decal' as it's known by SQA).
3D models have the advantage that they will always look correct in terms of scale, perspective etc, as you move the camera around your environment. Unfortunately, they are often large complex models with a high poly count, and will slow the school's computers down as you navigate in 3D space. They will also take a long time to render.
2D models consume far less computer power, as they consist of a photograph applied to a single surface. However, as you move the camera around in 3D space, it is usually necessary to adjust the orientation of your surface (your billboard). 2D vegetation is good for distant objects such as a forest seen from far off. They are also effective as extreme close-up objects, used to 'frame' a scene, such as an overhanging branch.
At Blender Greenhouse a fellow called Yorik Van Havre has created a range of 3D trees using a plant generation programme called ngPlant and released them as .blend files. All you need to do is download the .blend file.
A link is also provided from Blender Greenhouse to the Blender for Architecture site, where a transparent png file of each tree is available to download - (so that you may use the trees as 2D 'billboard' objects - see below for info about using billboards).
The Palm tree, opposite, is available to download as a .blend file from Blender Greenhouse, along with several other species.
As mentioned above, ngPlant is a free programme that allows you to generate 3D trees.
NgPlant's site has instructions on using the programme, and you may decide to start with one of the trees generated at Blender Greenhouse and modify it. This method is mentioned on Blender Greenhouse's home page.
The Beech tree, opposite, was generated in ngPlant.
Andrew Price has posted an excellent video tutorial showing how to use Blender's 'Curve to Tree' script, which was apparently developed during the Big Buck Bunny project.
This method is very 'hands on', allowing you to sculpt the tree to your own requirements. Andrew recommends using a reference image (background image) of a real tree as your starting point.
Bigger - 54 KB.
It is possible to generate lots of different styles of tree within Blender using a Python script called L-System. This one is a willow.
LineDstudio - go to the architectural section for trees, chairs and tables.
On LineDstudio's download page there's a link to a .blend file. Download it, then follow this tutorial.
LineDstudio - has some ready made trees, chairs and tables. Go to the 'Architectural' section of their site.
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The Gen3 script was written by Sergey Prokhorchuk (a.k.a. Stager).
There's an article about Gen3 posted at Blender Newbies. Scroll down the page to find it. It was posted on 4th August 2007.
You can view some examples created with Gen3 here.
Download the video tutorial or watch it on-line.
This page gives some information about Gen3's various settings.
There's a forum discussion page about Gen3 at BlenderArtists.
There's an info sheet about Gen3 here. It has some instructions.
Gen3 may be downloaded here. There are some screenshots too.
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The tree with foliage
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Plant Studio is a freeware programme for creating 3D models of herbaceous plants - used in session 2006-07 by Callum Fisher to make plants for his aquatic environment (opposite).
There's a video tutorial posted at Learn Blender 3D.
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Ivy Generator is a clever programme that draws ivy for you.
A written tutorial is available to download here, and you'll need this pack of texture files too.
A video tutorial is also available to download (74 MB).
This is Mr Black's lizard with some ivy growing over it.
This rendering was produced using a 2d photo of a cactus. Notice that the 2D object casts a shadow.
This is achieved by placing a transparent png (portable network graphic) on to a flat surface (the 'billboard'). Using this technique will qualify as a 'decal' in accordance with SQA's course requirements.
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This is the original photo from which the cactus was cropped.
Mr Black followed this tutorial to create the transparent png file needed.
He followed this page of Blender's manual to add the cactus image in to Blender.
Download the transparent png file of the cactus. - 242 KB.
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A photo of Mr Black has been placed on a flat surface. Unfortunately, there's a phantom line on the ground, and Mr Black hasn't yet figured how to get rid of it.
The original photo may be seen here.
When using billboard objects it is important to try to match the quality of light in your scene with the photo. Compare this rendering with the cactus.
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This example was produced by Yorik Van Havre as part of his Blender architectural tutorial. The trees are 2D billboard objects.
Yorik explains in his tutorial how to prevent the trees from casting shadows (he didn't want any).
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Grass is produced in Blender using the programme's particle system.
Look out also for Andrew's tutorial on how to animate grass.
At Blender Greenhouse has a range of 3D trees using a plant generation programme called ngPlant and released them as .blend files. All you need to do is download the .blend file.
Blender for Architecture site, where a transparent png file of each of the trees available at Blender Greenhouse is available to download - (so that you may use the trees as 2D 'billboard' objects).
Blogscopia - a Spanish site (with English text). Trees and other models, available to download as .blend files. Remember to download the texture file too, and place it in the same folder as the .blend file.
Realworld Imagery Inc. - a commercial model repository, but there's a free model available to download in each category - trees, people, cars etc.
Mr Black's cactus - transparent png file - 242 KB.
