“Go Bonsai” is a prototype of highly realistic interactive tree growth software that I would like to eventually build a full game around. As far as I know this is the first and only 3D tree simulator available anywhere. Many features are planned for the future like ability to save and load trees, more tools, wiring, roots, pot selection, scenery, higher quality rendering, etc. Until then please enjoy what I have so far which is a pretty tight demonstration of the engine with one tree type and a simple interface.
Features
- Simple and easy to learn interface
- Realistic 3D tree growth simulation
- Seasonal growth cycle
- Leafs and branches are effected by gravity and wind
- Complex lighting model with self shadowing that effects growth
- Growth pattern simulation of a Japanese Maple
- Snap Shot button to easily save images of your trees
- Game and data all packed into single exe file
Downloading and Installing
To install the Go Bonsai simply run the self installing setup program.
- Go Bonsai – Download the latest version here. (Requires Windows and DirectX 9)
Video
Screenshots
Gameplay Tips
- The goal is to create a small tree that looks big
- You will need to constantly maintain your tree to achieve a proper look
- Use the speed controls to slow things down when necessary
- If you let the tree grow on its own the simulation will eventually max out and pause
- If the simulation is overloaded that means your tree is too big or dense
- Cut your tree down every few years at first to achieve a good trunk taper
- Don’t be afraid to cut everything off your tree, this is necessary sometimes
- Once you have a good bonsai going, prune it constantly to refine the shape
- Trim your bonsai every year in the winter to make room for new growth
- Trim strong growth and “leaders” in the summer to achieve balanced growth
- Don’t remove weak growth at all, or the branch may eventually die off completely
- Use the middle mouse button to make thick trunk cuts
- Press Alt+Enter to toggle full screen mode
- You can open more then one instance of Go Bonsai
- Remember to take SnapShots wherever your bonsai is show condition
- You can press the 9 key to enable the hidden uber-fast simulation speed
- There is an experimental Auto Trim feature you can activate by pressing the U key
Installation Help
- If you receive a missing dll error when the screensaver is run then it is likely that you don’t have a recent enough version of DirectX. Try updating DirectX via microsoft’s site here.
- Contact me at frankforce@gmail.com if you have any other problems and I will look into it.
Woah! How long did it take you to do all that?
Thanks! I worked on it for about 3 months.
Cool, my teacher showed this to me. Keep up the good work. :D
Wooow, it’a really nice software. I really enjoyed it. It’s helpfull for bonsai lover. But how can I see the Snapshots took?
If you’re about to make an update I suggest you to put more specimen…and more tools ;)
Anyway, great job Frank!
Very nice work!!!I’d always wait for a software like that!!!
Do you have an idea of when you will do the complete version, or at least just another models of trees?
Thanks a lot for the software!
Hoodman – There is a SnapShots folder in the same place as the GoBonsai program where all your snapshots are saved.
José – I haven’t been working on it too actively, currently I am juggling several projects and a full time job. My next goal with GoBonsai is to implement tree saving and more tree types.
Thanks,
I didn’t notice the snapsots folder.
It’s good to have a full time job….
We will wait :)
I can’t get this to work on my pc. Is that because it isnt compatable with vista? Or is there something else which i could do to get it to run?
I have tested it on Windows Vista and it worked fine. Try updating DirectX at: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2da43d38-db71-4c1b-bc6a-9b6652cd92a3&DisplayLang=en
This is super sweet. My only wish, is for an undo button.
I hope you will add pines and tropical trees!! nice work..>
its verey good but you can be better whit adding wiring
I really liked this and am hoping to see more options like more trees and hopefuly you could put a seed store to actualy get the growing experience inclouding watering and more.
Thanks for checking out my game everyone! I would love to add more stuff to Go Bonsai but have been really busy with other stuff. I plan to eventually offer multiple tree types, wiring, and even cross pollination. I doubt I will incorporate watering though because real bonsai trees need to be watered almost daily and that would get extremely tedious and repetitive.
Ok,thanks.
when will the new bonsai program be finished
Arigato gozaimasu! Konnichi wa!
i really like your GoBonsai frank… please let us know when you got an update for the software it’s really nice… please keep working on it.
I love this game! I don’t think I’m going to play solitaire ever again. Some nice additions would be to be able to highlight a branch to clip, so you don’t accidentally clip branches behind it, the ability to change cutters (clipping small branchwork vs large branches), the ability to make deadwood, and maybe a real time desktop toy! Virtual pet bonsai <3
looks awesome. mac version ever?
Super simulator. You work on next version this programme? Trees’ new species will be or some different improvement?
As bonsai fan I love this simulator.
But my mouse have no middle mouse button to cut the thick trunks.
Is their an alternative to do this with the keyboard?
hey,
this game is not running on my pc. got dx11 and win7. it says that one dx9 file is missing. for sure its missing, it is because i have dx11. its not compatible upwards?
Thanks everyone. I still haven’t worked on it in a while, I will get back to it eventually though. Probably not porting to any other platforms any time soon though. To answer specific questions…
Veronica: Yeah, I agree with all you have to say here. Deadwood/Jin is theoretically possible now but the tree is tuned to be super resistant so it’s nearly impossible to complexity kill off a branch.
Bernd: Users without a middle mouse button can hold control and left click to prune thick branches.
Michael: I also run win7. Even though you may have dx11 you will still need to install dx9. They are separate packages and can both live together. Many other games will require this as well.
Grazie per questo software, davvero bello e molto utile, sto usando da poche ore questo fantastico programma e vedo grandi possibilità.
Grazie
Thanks for this software, really nice and very helpful, I’m using a few hours this fantastic program and I see great possibilities.
Thanks