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I'd like to create an effect similar to a plant growing over time. Imagine, as the plant grows, it sprouts new leafs and shoots.

I know I can generate a mesh using Python, but can I add geometry to the mesh over time and if so how?

Braaant
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  • There are many possible ways of going about this without python, e.g. the build modifier, animated bevel start/end factor, animated objects with boolean modifiers, etc. – gandalf3 Nov 20 '14 at 22:36
  • @gandalf3 thanks, I'm looking to create a complex model (think Ivy or vines), would the methods you suggest be able to achieve this? – Braaant Nov 20 '14 at 22:39
  • Hm.. Not sure without some experimentation. However it looks like someone already came up with at least one solution: http://www.blendernation.com/2012/01/30/tutorial-growing-ivygen-animation-in-blender/ – gandalf3 Nov 20 '14 at 23:15

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One way is to use the Sapling addon to create a tree. The addon needs to be enabled first in the User Preferences

enter image description here

After the settings were adjusted.

Convert it from curve to mesh Alt-C

Add a Build Modifier to the stem and another one to the leaves, you might want to add a few more loop cuts Ctrl-R to the stem so that the segments are displayed one by one.

To let the plant grow scale it down say 10% on frame 1, 50% on frame 10, 100% on frame 20 Set the Build modifiers start frame to 20 and 30.

Result:

enter image description here

.blend

stacker
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