While working with RpTreeMaker we decided to have it also create Top View tree images which would be useful for Top View landscape renderings.

Top View Trees for Landscapes Top View and Side View trees in layers Top View Trees are special images created with RpTreeMaker which add detail to Top View Landscape renderings. By storing 3D view images and Top View images in the same tree Component, in different layers it is easy to include your trees in multiple SketchUp views. You can even automatically turn the tree layers on and off in your saved SketchUp view scenes. See: Top View Trees for Landscapes

Create Top View Image

To create a Top View tree image, as well as a side view tree image, check the box on the Tree Editor Image Wizard.

Top view image height

If you are going to have items below the tree which need to be obscured by the top view image, then you will want to place the top view image above those objects or at the top of the tree.

You can set the height for the Top View image on the advanced settings dialog - while creating the tree image.

Here a bench is placed below the tree which needs to be obscured by the top view image.

By switching layers, you can see the top view image in 3D

This image was placed in the SketchUp model at 1/2 of the tree height.

You can set it to whatever percentage you want.

Parallel (non-perspe4ctive) top view image of tree with bench below it

In order to get shadows of the tree, I turned on both the top view and the side view tree layers,