Spread Lines
Method #
This node generates lines that go outward from points on the surface of the parent mesh. The vertices or polygon centres of the parent mesh may be used as starting points for lines, or lines can be distributed randomly over the surface of the mesh. The length of the lines can be controlled via a weightmap or using the node’s falloff.
Parameters
Parameter Details Subdivision Order Toggle whether the deformer is added before or after the object is subdivided.
Subdivision Level The subdivision level at which the deformer is applied. Subdivision Order must be set to After Subdivision to Function.
Spread Mode The line distribution method.
vertex, the vertices of the parent mesh are used as the line starting points.
polygon centre, the centres of the polygons of the parent mesh are used as the line starting points.
spread over polygons, starting points are spread evenly over the polygons of the parent mesh. a weightmap may be used to influence the distribution.
Line Length The length of each line.
Line Length Randomness The random variation in length of each line, between 0 and 1 - where 0 gives a uniform length.
Subdivisions The number of vertex subdivisions per line.
Num Spread Lines The number of lines to generate, in spread over polygons mode.
Seed The random seed, in spread over polygons mode.
Lock Distribution In spread over polygons mode, locking the distribution spreads points over the source mesh once and updates their positions and attributes on each subsequent update using the same distribution. otherwise the points are redistributed every frame, which will change if the mesh vertices are changing. note that if the topology of the source mesh is changing the distribution can’t be locked and will give undefined results if used.
Curl The amount each line should curl along its length.
Curl Randomness The random variation in curl amount of each line.
Orientation Randomness The random variation in orientation of each line.
Parameter Details Position X Move along the local x-axis.
Position Y Move along the local y-axis.
Position Z Move along the local z-axis.
Rotation Heading Rotate around the local y-axis.
Rotation Pitch Rotate around the local x-axis.
Rotation Bank Rotate around the local z-axis.
Scale X Scale along the local x-axis.
Scale Y Scale along the local y-axis.
Scale Z Scale along the local z-axis.
Control the inheritance of the transforms from the parent.
Parameter Details Falloff Enabled Enable falloff from the position of the deformer.
Falloff Shape Select which shape to use to draw falloff from.
- Sphere : Falloff is drawn outward from a central point, forming a spherical falloff.
- Cylinder - X/Y/Z : Falloff is drawn outward from a line, forming a cylindrical falloff.
- Plane - X/Y/Z : Falloff is drawn outward from a plane.
Falloff Range Limits the range the deformer is effective at.
Falloff Inner Range The inner range from which the falloff is calculated from.
Falloff Curve Power How quickly the falloff drops to 0 at the outer falloff.
Invert Falloff Invert the direction of the falloff.
Falloff Curve Visualises the falloff curve, from being completely in effect to no longer effective.
Inputs
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Subdivision Order | Toggle whether the deformer is added before or after the object is subdivided. |
| Subdivision Level | The subdivision level at which the deformer is applied. Subdivision Order must be set to After Subdivision to Function. |
| Spread Mode | The line distribution method. vertex, the vertices of the parent mesh are used as the line starting points. polygon centre, the centres of the polygons of the parent mesh are used as the line starting points. spread over polygons, starting points are spread evenly over the polygons of the parent mesh. a weightmap may be used to influence the distribution. |
| Line Length | The length of each line. |
| Line Length Randomness | The random variation in length of each line, between 0 and 1 - where 0 gives a uniform length. |
| Subdivisions | The number of vertex subdivisions per line. |
| Num Spread Lines | The number of lines to generate, in spread over polygons mode. |
| Seed | The random seed, in spread over polygons mode. |
| Lock Distribution | In spread over polygons mode, locking the distribution spreads points over the source mesh once and updates their positions and attributes on each subsequent update using the same distribution. otherwise the points are redistributed every frame, which will change if the mesh vertices are changing. note that if the topology of the source mesh is changing the distribution can’t be locked and will give undefined results if used. |
| Curl | The amount each line should curl along its length. |
| Curl Randomness | The random variation in curl amount of each line. |
| Orientation Randomness | The random variation in orientation of each line. |
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Position X | Move along the local x-axis. |
| Position Y | Move along the local y-axis. |
| Position Z | Move along the local z-axis. |
| Rotation Heading | Rotate around the local y-axis. |
| Rotation Pitch | Rotate around the local x-axis. |
| Rotation Bank | Rotate around the local z-axis. |
| Scale X | Scale along the local x-axis. |
| Scale Y | Scale along the local y-axis. |
| Scale Z | Scale along the local z-axis. |
Control the inheritance of the transforms from the parent.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Falloff Enabled | Enable falloff from the position of the deformer. |
| Falloff Shape | Select which shape to use to draw falloff from.
|
| Falloff Range | Limits the range the deformer is effective at. |
| Falloff Inner Range | The inner range from which the falloff is calculated from. |
| Falloff Curve Power | How quickly the falloff drops to 0 at the outer falloff. |
| Invert Falloff | Invert the direction of the falloff. |
| Falloff Curve | Visualises the falloff curve, from being completely in effect to no longer effective. |
| Name | Description | Typical Input |
|---|---|---|
| Generated Weightmap | Weightmap to control the density of points in Spread Over Polygons mode. | Generate Weightmap |
| Line Length Weightmap | Weightmap to control the line length. | Generate Weightmap |
| Falloff Node | Use an input node to control the transformation values of the falloff. | Null |
| Transform Modifiers | Apply the transforms of another node to this node. | Null |
| Target Node | Modifiy the rotations of the node to always direct the z axis towards the input. | Null |
| Local Transform Override | Apply the transforms of another node to this node, relative to its parent. | Null |