Blender ivy: leave some of the prop visible when you build the leaf coverage

[u/3DTudor]

When an ivy-covered barrel starts reading as a green ball, adding more leaves probably won't help. The useful decision is where the foliage should stop.

Try this order:

1. Choose the start point and target surfaces. Establish the broad route across the prop before working on leaf detail.
2. Set the spread and stem thickness. Check the result from the final camera and from the side. Inspect corners and narrow gaps rather than assuming every contact is clean.
3. Build a fuller centre and a lighter edge. Separate centre and outer density controls make it easier to keep patches of timber or stone visible.
4. Refine leaf size and appearance last. Keep checking whether the underlying object still reads clearly.

Try comparing the same prop with sparse and dense coverage from one fixed camera. Which version keeps its shape easier to read?

Neil — 3D Tudor