Notch Notch
Manual 1.0 Manual 0.9.23
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Spread Lines

Spread Lines

Updated: 6 Feb 2025

Generates lines on the parent mesh.
Example .dfx

Method #

This node generates lines 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.

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 XThe objects position along the local x-axis.
Position YThe objects position along the local y-axis.
Position ZThe objects position along the local z-axis.
Rotation HeadingThe objects rotation around the local y-axis.
Rotation PitchThe objects rotation around the local x-axis.
Rotation BankThe objects rotation around the local z-axis.
Scale XThe objects scale along the local x-axis.
Scale YThe objects scale along the local y-axis.
Scale ZThe objects scale along the local z-axis.

Control the inheritance of the transforms from the parent.

ParameterDetails
PositionToggle inheritance of the Position from the parent.
RotationToggle inheritance of the Rotation from the parent.
ScaleToggle inheritance of the 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
Spread ModeThe method used to distribute lines across the surface.
  • Vertex : The vertices of the parent mesh are used as the line starting points, using the vertex normals to define the lines orientation.
  • Polygon : The center of each polygon of the parent mesh are used as the line starting points, using the polygon normals to define the lines orientation.
  • Spread Over Surface : Lines are spread evenly over the polygons of the parent mesh. The Seed and Num Lines can then be altered for verying results. A weightmap may also be used to influence the distribution across the surface.
SeedThe seed used to randomly distribute lines across the surface. Only Functions with Spread Mode set to Spread Over Surface.
Lock DistributionLocks the distribution of the lines over the source mesh, so prior deformations do not affect the distribution. Note that if the topology of the parent mesh is changing, the distribution can’t be locked and will give undefined results. Only Functions with Spread Mode set to Spread Over Surface.
Line LengthThe length of each line distrubuted on the surface.
Line Length RandomnessHow much each line is randomly shortened by.
SubdivisionsThe number of vertex subdivisions generated per line. Higher values can improve smoothness for subsequent deformations, but increase impact on performance.
Num Spread LinesThe number of lines to generate over the surface. Only Functions with Spread Mode set to Spread Over Surface.
CurlCurl the lines along there length hto make amount each line should curl along its length.
Curl RandomnessRandomises the curl amount of each line.
Orientation RandomnessRandomises the rotation of each line.

These properties control where the deformer affects the geometry.

ParameterDetails
Use FalloffEnable falloff from the position of the deformer.
Falloff ShapeSelect 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 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
Generated WeightmapWeightmap to control the density of points in Spread Over Polygons mode.Generate Weightmap
Line Length WeightmapWeightmap to control the line length.Generate Weightmap
Falloff NodeUse an input node to control the transformation values of the falloff.Null
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