Fractal Noise Weightmap

Updated: 10 Feb 2025

Generates a weightmap from a 3D fractal noise

Example .dfx

Method #

This node uses fractal noise to generate per-vertex or per-polygon weightmap for 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
Apply Mode	Choose whether the deformer applies to the individual vertices or the mesh chunks. Vertices : The mesh deformations are applied to the mesh vertices. Chunks : The mesh deformations are applied to the separated mesh pieces.
Mode	The mode by which the value is generated. Turbulence : Weights are defined using turbulence / fbm noise. Cells : Weights are defined using cellular noise.
Per-Polygon Weightmap	Determines whether the weightmap should specify a value per-polygon or per-vertex.
Input Channel	The input values from the mesh used to define the positions for the fractal noise. Position : The vertex positions are used. UV : The vertex texture coordinates are used.
Noise Scale	Scale the size of the generated fractal noise.
Noise Lacunarity	How large the gaps between larger areas of noise are.
Noise Gain	The overall smoothness of the generated fractal noise.
Noise Octaves	How many time the noise generation is iterated.
Gain	Scale the generated value.
Offset	Offset the generated value.
Sharpness	Ramps the sharpness of the generated value to a power.
Min Value	Limit the minimum value generated.
Max Value	Limit the maximum value generated.
Invert	Invert the generated weightmap values.
UV Scale X	Scale the uv texture along the x axis.
UV Scale Y	Scale the uv texture along the y axis.
UV Offset X	Offset the uv texture along the x axis.
UV Offset Y	Offset the uv texture along the y axis.
Show Weightmap	Visualise the weightmap as vertex colours on the source geometry

Falloff

These properties control the falloff of the node. Falloff controls how much influence the node has on anything it affects.

Parameter	Details
Falloff Mode	Which mode to use to calculate the falloff. Off : No falloff is used. Everything will be affected equally. Spherical : Falloff is drawn outward from a central point, forming a spherical falloff. Cylindrical : Falloff is drawn outward from a line, forming a cylindrical falloff. Planar : Falloff is drawn outwards in one or more directions from a plane, forming a planar falloff. Procedural : Uses a connected procedural system to describe the falloff area. A procedural node must be input for this property to function. Cubic : Falloff is calculated from within a cube.
Falloff Axis	Which axis the falloff should be oriented on.
Falloff Direction	When using “Planar” mode, which direction to use to calculate the falloff. Bidirectional : The node’s effect will be the most along the plane. It will then falloff in both directions. Negative : The node’s effect will be the most along the plane and in the positive direction. It will then falloff in the negative direction. Positive : The node’s effect will be the most along the plane and in the negative direction. It will then falloff in the positive direction.
Falloff Easing Mode	Interpolation method used to calculate the falloff within its range of influence. Linear : Falloff will be calculated linearly across the falloff range. Sine : Falloff will be calculated using a sine function across the falloff range. Quadratic : Falloff will be calculated using a quadratic function across the falloff range. Cubic : Falloff will be calculated using a cubic function across the falloff range. Circular : Falloff will be calculated using a circular function across the falloff range. Bounce Back : Falloff uses a function which as values reach the edge of the falloff range, they will overshoot and bounce back. Elastic : Falloff uses a function similar to bounce back, but the value will initially move in the opposite direction, creating a “pull and release” effect.
Falloff Size X	Size of the falloff range along the X axis.
Falloff Size Y	Size of the falloff range along the Y axis.
Falloff Size Z	Size of the falloff range along the Z axis.
Outer Range	Outer range of the falloff.
Inner Range	Inner range of the falloff.
Curve Power	Controls the rate of change of the falloff between the inner and outer range.
Invert	Inverts the effect of the falloff.

Time

The properties control the time at which the node is active. See Timeline for editing time segments.

Parameter	Details
Duration	Control the duration of the node’s time segment. Composition Duration : Use the length of the composition for the node’s time segment duration. Custom : Set a custom duration for the node’s time segment.
Node Time	The custom start and end time for the node.
Duration (Timecode)	The length of the node’s time segment (in time).
Duration (Frames)	The length of the node’s time segment (in frames).
Time Segment Enabled	Set whether the node’s time segment is enabled or not in the Timeline.

Inputs

Name	Description	Typical Input
Falloff Node	Use an input node to control the transformation values of the falloff.	Falloff
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