Attribute Weightmap

Updated: 10 Feb 2025

Generates a weightmap from attributes of the parent geometry

Example .dfx

Method #

This node generates per-vertex or per-polygon weight values using attributes and structure of the parent mesh. These can then be used to vary the strength of Deformers on the parent mesh.

The output from this node is a vertex weightmap which is unique to the parent mesh, so can’t be used to influence other meshes.

Node placement is important! Weightmaps are generated following the deformer processing stack, so make sure to place the weightmap at some point before the deformer its applied to.

Parameters

Attributes

These properties control the core behaviours of the node.

Parameter	Details
Weightmap	Add a weight map to determine where the deformer is more or less effective.
Mode	The mode by which the value is generated. Object Imported Weightmap : Read values from a weightmap channel imported with the 3d object. only valid for suitable 3d object nodes loaded from 3d scene files containing weight maps. Vertex Colour : The geometrys vertex colours are used as the weight. Texture Coordinate : The geometrys texture coordinate is used as the weight. Material Index : The polygons material index is compared against the material index property and used as a weight. Smooth Group Index : the polygons smooth group is compared against the smooth group property and used as a weight. Line First Vertex : Weights are set for the first vertex of each line if the object contains line or spline primitives. Line Last Vertex : Weights are set for the last vertex of each line if the object contains line or spline primitives. Line First Or Last Vertex : Weights are set for the first and last vertex of each line if the object contains line or spline primitives. Line Vertex Index : Weights are set by the vertex’s position within the line if the object contains line or spline primitives. Geometry Borders : Weights are set for border vertices / polygons. Creases : Analyses the topology looking for areas which sharply bend, and creates a weightmap depending on the deformation amount. Creases tend to be more localise, focusing on smaller areas of sharp changes. Curvature : Analyses the topology looking for how much the polygon flow deviates from being flat. Curvature tends to be quite broad, sampling a large area to generate a curvature map. Vertex Connection Graph : Generates a connection graph based on the locations and connectiones between vertices in the scene. A weightmap can then be applied by taking one or more ‘seed points’, and growing outward from them following the connection graph. Useful for growing effects, or effects which need to follow along a surface. Copy From Per Polygon Weightmap : Generates a vertex weightmap from a per-polygon weight map. Chunk Index : Selects the chunk specified the chunk index value.
Per-Polygon Weightmap	Should the weightmap generate a single value per polygon, or interpolate the value over the surface.
Gain	Scale the generated value.
Offset	Offset the generated value.
Sharpness	Applies a power to sharpen the generated value.
Min Value	Limit the minimum value generated.
Max Value	Limit the maximum value generated.
Invert	Invert the generated weightmap values.
Material Index	The material index to compare to.
Smooth Group	The smoothing group to compare to.
Show Weightmap	Visualise the weightmap as vertex colours on the source geometry

Inputs

Name	Description	Typical Input
Generated Weightmap	Add a weightmap to vary the strength of the deformer across the surface.	Generate Weightmap
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