Forgive me if this topic has been covered previously. Having discovered an older (2011) guide on importing fractals into minecraft, I found the workflow no longer, well, worked, but was nonetheless inspired by the symmetry and scale of Theli's creations (link to original thread). Digging deeper, I discovered another tutorial geared toward fractal rendering in 3DsMax. As someone who has a degree in 3d animation, I can understand a lot of the more technical and confusing aspects of the industry, and realize that although all this information may be out there, it may not be presented in a way that many self-taught minecraft creators may find palatable. From personal experience, even working with well-refined production pipelines, many trial and error is often necessary, sometimes deterring even the most ambitious digital artist. The process is actually quite simple, the most difficult part being the fractal generation, which I'm admittedly new at myself.
This can be done with a number of programs, but the two free programs I've found which offer 3D exporting are MandelBulb3D (http://www.fractalforums.com/releases/) and Chaos Pro (www.chaospro.de). While I will include the steps to export from MandelBulb3D to Binvox, ChaosPro offers a much quicker workflow (one step versus three), and exports to .POV. Alternately, you can use a program which offers exporting to one of Binvox’s supported import filetypes (Wavefront OBJ, VRML 2.0, UG, OFF, DXF, XGL, POV, BREP, PLY, JOT).
Unfortunately, this isn't a tutorial on how to generate awesome fractals, the math is currently beyond my understanding ;-) However, if using MandelBulb3D, here's how to export it:
Here's the YouTube video showing it in action:
Again, if you're using ChaosPro, it's as easy as one step, ...
Step 2 (If Using MandelBulb3D): Rename the Image Sequence
()
Using an image renaming utility like XnView, rename the sequences in a "Layer#" format. Notice there are no leading zeros, the first image should be Layer1, not Layer01 or Layer001. This is another simple step but I made a video for greater ease.
(If using a program like Chaos Pro, which exports directly to .POV, you can skip this step, it's only required for image sequences.)
Step 3 (If Using MandelBulb3D): Convert the Image Sequence back into a 3D Model ()
Now that the images are in the proper naming format, we can import them into FiJi and export as a Wavefront .OBJ 3d model. Instructions are again provided on Mourelas' tutorial, but again, I made to show this step.
After this, there are only two more steps, using binvox to convert the .OBJ file to a .schematic, then using a program like mcEdit to import the schematic file into your world.
Step 4: Using Binvox to Convert to a .Schematic
The existing documentation on Binvox is quite sufficient and I recommend playing with both the settings and viewer to become more familiar with this powerful utility. In my case, the only downside is converting files, especially quite large structures, takes several minutes, and it is best to patiently wait for the numbers to stop scrolling or walk away. Remember the syntax for outputting schematic files:
-t schematic - instead of outputting to a .binvox file, output to a .schematic file. This type of file can be imported directly into a Minecraft world by using MCEdit or other tools.
If you don't want them all to output as the same blocks, undefined and use this option:
-bi : when converting to schematic, use block ID
Warning: This may not work for sub-ids, such as tinted glass or wool; when I attempted blue stained glass (95:11) I got white stained glass (95) instead.
Step 5: Importing Your .Schematic into Minecraft
I use MCEdit, however, there may be other editors which allow importing .schematic files into Minecraft including WorldEdit. Again, the existing documentation on MCEdit doesn't need to be reinvented here so I'll let you go to work...
Step 6: Viewing Your Imported Fractal
Simply open up Minecraft and fly (or walk) around in awe at your massive and perfect fractal creation!
Linked above is just a short clip, hopefully this serves as slightly more inspiration from the jaw-dropping vistas constructed by Theli and the fact that programs like Chaos Pro are completely free and offer direct .POV export makes the process go by even more efficiently. I hope more minecrafters will become excited by including complex fractals in their builds the way I recently have! =)
Click here for Minecraft video:
Intro and inspiration for this tutorial:
Forgive me if this topic has been covered previously. Having discovered an older (2011) guide on importing fractals into minecraft, I found the workflow no longer, well, worked, but was nonetheless inspired by the symmetry and scale of Theli's creations (link to original thread). Digging deeper, I discovered another tutorial geared toward fractal rendering in 3DsMax. As someone who has a degree in 3d animation, I can understand a lot of the more technical and confusing aspects of the industry, and realize that although all this information may be out there, it may not be presented in a way that many self-taught minecraft creators may find palatable. From personal experience, even working with well-refined production pipelines, many trial and error is often necessary, sometimes deterring even the most ambitious digital artist. The process is actually quite simple, the most difficult part being the fractal generation, which I'm admittedly new at myself.
Required Programs
Binvox (Wiki / Download)
3D fractal generator with ability to export model (For example: MandelBulb3D or ChaosPro)
If using MandelBulb3d: XnView and FiJi
MCEdit or other editor to import .schematic files
Step 1: Generate your 3D Fractal, and Export It
()
This can be done with a number of programs, but the two free programs I've found which offer 3D exporting are MandelBulb3D (http://www.fractalforums.com/releases/) and Chaos Pro (www.chaospro.de). While I will include the steps to export from MandelBulb3D to Binvox, ChaosPro offers a much quicker workflow (one step versus three), and exports to .POV. Alternately, you can use a program which offers exporting to one of Binvox’s supported import filetypes (Wavefront OBJ, VRML 2.0, UG, OFF, DXF, XGL, POV, BREP, PLY, JOT).
Unfortunately, this isn't a tutorial on how to generate awesome fractals, the math is currently beyond my understanding ;-) However, if using MandelBulb3D, here's how to export it:
Here's the YouTube video showing it in action:
Again, if you're using ChaosPro, it's as easy as one step, ...
Step 2 (If Using MandelBulb3D): Rename the Image Sequence
()
Using an image renaming utility like XnView, rename the sequences in a "Layer#" format. Notice there are no leading zeros, the first image should be Layer1, not Layer01 or Layer001. This is another simple step but I made a video for greater ease.
(If using a program like Chaos Pro, which exports directly to .POV, you can skip this step, it's only required for image sequences.)
Step 3 (If Using MandelBulb3D): Convert the Image Sequence back into a 3D Model ()
Now that the images are in the proper naming format, we can import them into FiJi and export as a Wavefront .OBJ 3d model. Instructions are again provided on Mourelas' tutorial, but again, I made to show this step.
After this, there are only two more steps, using binvox to convert the .OBJ file to a .schematic, then using a program like mcEdit to import the schematic file into your world.
Step 4: Using Binvox to Convert to a .Schematic
The existing documentation on Binvox is quite sufficient and I recommend playing with both the settings and viewer to become more familiar with this powerful utility. In my case, the only downside is converting files, especially quite large structures, takes several minutes, and it is best to patiently wait for the numbers to stop scrolling or walk away. Remember the syntax for outputting schematic files:
If you don't want them all to output as the same blocks, undefined and use this option:
Warning: This may not work for sub-ids, such as tinted glass or wool; when I attempted blue stained glass (95:11) I got white stained glass (95) instead.
Step 5: Importing Your .Schematic into Minecraft
I use MCEdit, however, there may be other editors which allow importing .schematic files into Minecraft including WorldEdit. Again, the existing documentation on MCEdit doesn't need to be reinvented here so I'll let you go to work...
Step 6: Viewing Your Imported Fractal
Simply open up Minecraft and fly (or walk) around in awe at your massive and perfect fractal creation!
Linked above is just a short clip, hopefully this serves as slightly more inspiration from the jaw-dropping vistas constructed by Theli and the fact that programs like Chaos Pro are completely free and offer direct .POV export makes the process go by even more efficiently. I hope more minecrafters will become excited by including complex fractals in their builds the way I recently have! =)
This looks really cool