Notch Notch Manual 0.9.23
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Point Deformer

Point Deformer

Deforms a Mesh by using input points as a transform source.

image

Example .dfx

Method #

This node is used to deform vertices using points from a particle system or the vertices of another 3D object. The closest points to each vertex are determined and a falloff calculated using the distance to those points, then displacement and colour modifications are applied to the vertex.

Parameters

These properties control the 3D transforms of the node. Transforms will generally be inherited by child nodes, although they can be ignored through the Inherit Transform Channels attributes.

ParameterDetails
Position XMove along the local x-axis.
Position YMove along the local y-axis.
Position ZMove along the local z-axis.
Rotation HeadingRotate around the local y-axis.
Rotation PitchRotate around the local x-axis.
Rotation BankRotate around the local z-axis.
Scale XScale along the local x-axis.
Scale YScale along the local y-axis.
Scale ZScale along the local z-axis.

Toggle which transform channels should be inherited from the parent node. By default, all transforms will be inherited.

ParameterDetails
Position XToggle inheritance of the X Position from the parent.
Position YToggle inheritance of the Y Position from the parent.
Position ZToggle inheritance of the Z Position from the parent.
Rotation HeadingToggle inheritance of the Rotation Heading from the parent.
Rotation PitchToggle inheritance of the Rotation Pitch from the parent.
Rotation BankToggle inheritance of the Rotation Bank from the parent.
Scale XToggle inheritance of the X Scale from the parent.
Scale YToggle inheritance of the Y Scale from the parent.
Scale ZToggle inheritance of the Z Scale from the parent.
World Position OnlyInherit the world position from the parent only, rotation and scale will be ignored. Overrides above properties.
Inherit TimeToggle inheritance of time from the parent.

These properties control the core behaviours of the node.

ParameterDetails
Blend AmountGlobal override for how much the deformer affects the mesh.
Subdivision OrderToggle whether the deformer is added before or after the object is subdivided.
  • Before Subdivision : The deformation is applied before any subdivision is added.
  • After Subdivision : The deformation is applied after subdivision, or inbetween if the subdivision level property is modified.
Subdivision LevelThe subdivision level at which the deformer is applied. Subdivision Order must be set to After Subdivision to Function.
WeightmapAdd a weight map to determine where the deformer is more or less effective.
Vertex Source ModeChoose whether the deformer applies to the individual vertices or the mesh chunks.
  • Vertex Positions : The mesh deformations are applied to the mesh vertices.
  • Chunks : The mesh deformations are applied to the seperated mesh pieces.
Deformer Transform SpaceChoose which transform space the deformer uses for deformation. Does not affect falloffs.
  • Local : Deformations are calculated in the Local Space of the object, so transformations of the parent mesh will not affect the deformation.
  • World : Deformations are calculated in the World Space of the scene, so transformations of the parent mesh will apply the deformer differently depending on the mesh position.
Update Time ModeHow the deformer updates with relation to the timecode.
  • Locked To Timecode : The deformer deformations are locked to the timecode and the same time will always yield the same deformations.
  • Running / Looping : The deformer deformations are disconnected from the timecode and will loop seamlessly at the end of the layer.
Displacement AmountHow much the deformer displaces the original mesh.
Point Displacement ModeThe method by which the points are used to displace the vertices.
  • Displace : Move points along vertex normal.
  • Affect : Attract the vertexes to the point position.
  • Repel : Repel the vertexes to the point position.
Point Colour ModeHow the points are used to colour the mesh vertex colours.
  • Point Colour : Vertexes are coloured based on the point colours.
  • Distance : Use the colour from the Colour property.
Point Falloff DistanceThe outer radius for each point where the deformer will no longer be effective.
Point Falloff PowerThe sharpness of the falloff from each point.
Point Normal Direction WeightWeights the effect of each point on the vertex by how much the mesh vertex normals points towards it. This allows points behind vertices to be ignored.
Colour Blend AmountThe amount the new colour is applied to the vertex colours.
ColourThe colour to apply to the mesh. Only functions with Distance enabled in the Point Colour Mode.

These properties control where the deformer affects the geometry.

ParameterDetails
Falloff EnabledEnable falloff from the position of the deformer.
Falloff ShapeSelect which shape to use to draw falloff from.
  • Sphere : How quickly the falloff drops to 0 at the outer falloff.
  • Cylinder - X : Falloff is drawn radially outward from a line along the x axis, forming a cylindrical falloff.
  • Cylinder - Y : Falloff is drawn radially outward from a line along the y axis, forming a cylindrical falloff.
  • Cylinder - Z : Falloff is drawn radially outward from a line along the z axis, forming a cylindrical falloff.
  • Plane - X : Falloff is drawn outward from a plane formed on the YZ axis.
  • Plane - Y : Falloff is drawn outward from a plane formed on the XZ axis.
  • Plane - Z : Falloff is drawn outward from a plane formed on the XY axis.
Falloff RangeLimits the range the deformer is effective at.
Falloff Inner RangeThe inner range from which the falloff is calculated from.
Falloff Curve PowerHow quickly the falloff drops to 0 at the outer falloff.
Invert FalloffInvert the direction of the falloff.
Falloff CurveVisualises the falloff curve, from being completely in effect to no longer effective.

Inputs

NameDescriptionTypical Input
Point SourcePoint source from which to deform the Mesh.Particle Root
Mask ImageUse an image to mask out areas for the deformer to not function.Video Loader
Falloff NodeUse an input node to control the transformation values of the falloff.Null
Generated WeightmapAdd a weightmap to vary the strength of the deformer across the surface.Generate Weightmap Deformer
Transform ModifiersApply the transforms of another node to this node.Null
Target NodeModifiy the rotations of the node to always direct the z axis towards the input.Null
Local Transform OverrideApply the transforms of another node to this node, relative to its parent.Null

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