Nathan Dwyer
This model uses an L-system to generate a tree. The system generates a trunk with
three branches. The nature of L-systems allow them to be called recusively to
create trees or arbitrary depth. You can set the "Leaf Scale" slider to zero to
see just the tree structure.
Each branch of the tree is a solid created by rotating a bezier curve
around the z-axis. The leaf shape is generated by running a bezier curve around the
perimiter, and another one down the spine. The leaf parameter slider control
the beizer control points in some interesting ways. You can set the "Tree depth"
slider to zero to render a single leaf to see how the different leaf sliders interact.
The slider "Dance Animation" causes the branches to twirl around the axis of their
parent branch. It's hard to see in a complex model, but easier to see with fewer
branches. It's sorta lame, but after creating the tree, I couldn't think of an
interesting way to animate it.