Line Connection Renderer
Updated: 4 Dec 2023
Renders lines between nearby particles.
Line Connection Renderer
Method #
This node renders lines between pairs of nearby particles, giving the impression of a mesh-like structure. The connection pairs are determined by locating particles that are near to each other using a spatial grid. This grid may be scaled by connecting a node to the Bounding Box input, changing the spawning behaviour and potentially affecting performance. Once connected, particles remain joined by a line for a period of time unless one of the particles dies.
Parameters
These properties control the core behaviours of the node.
Parameter Details Particle Alpha Change the alpha value for the particles.
Luminance Randomness Control how much randomness is in the luminance of the rendered particles.
Sort Key Value Biases the depth-based render order, to force the particle system to be drawn before or after other objects in the scene.
Depth Bias Offsets particles in depth so they are closer or further away from the camera, changing the point at which they intersect with the rest of the scene.
Distance Threshold Maximum distance a line can be drawn at.
Min Distance Maximum distance a line can be drawn at.
Particle Use Amount Percentage of particles that can be used by the node.
Line Thickness Edit the thickness of the line rendered. Only functions if “Use Thick Lines” is enabled.
Depth Of Field Amount How much depth of field effects the particles.
Line Connection Lifetime Length of time a line between two points can exist.
Affected Radius The radius of the area of space within which connections may be generated.
Max X Difference The maximum separation of particles in the X axis that can be connected.
Max Y Difference The maximum separation of particles in the Y axis that can be connected.
Max Z Difference The maximum separation of particles in the Z axis that can be connected.
Cast Shadows Control whether shadows are cast.
Sort Particles Toggle whether the particles are sorted by depth from camera from back to front before rendering, enabling transparent particles to be rendered correctly.
Blend Mode Edit the blend mode used for the particles. See Blend Modes for details.
Use Thick Lines Toggle whether the lines have 3D thickness, or not.
Max Lines Per Particle Maximum number of lines that can be drawn from each particle.
Inputs
These properties control the core behaviours of the node.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Particle Alpha | Change the alpha value for the particles. |
| Luminance Randomness | Control how much randomness is in the luminance of the rendered particles. |
| Sort Key Value | Biases the depth-based render order, to force the particle system to be drawn before or after other objects in the scene. |
| Depth Bias | Offsets particles in depth so they are closer or further away from the camera, changing the point at which they intersect with the rest of the scene. |
| Distance Threshold | Maximum distance a line can be drawn at. |
| Min Distance | Maximum distance a line can be drawn at. |
| Particle Use Amount | Percentage of particles that can be used by the node. |
| Line Thickness | Edit the thickness of the line rendered. Only functions if “Use Thick Lines” is enabled. |
| Depth Of Field Amount | How much depth of field effects the particles. |
| Line Connection Lifetime | Length of time a line between two points can exist. |
| Affected Radius | The radius of the area of space within which connections may be generated. |
| Max X Difference | The maximum separation of particles in the X axis that can be connected. |
| Max Y Difference | The maximum separation of particles in the Y axis that can be connected. |
| Max Z Difference | The maximum separation of particles in the Z axis that can be connected. |
| Cast Shadows | Control whether shadows are cast. |
| Sort Particles | Toggle whether the particles are sorted by depth from camera from back to front before rendering, enabling transparent particles to be rendered correctly. |
| Blend Mode | Edit the blend mode used for the particles. See Blend Modes for details. |
| Use Thick Lines | Toggle whether the lines have 3D thickness, or not. |
| Max Lines Per Particle | Maximum number of lines that can be drawn from each particle. |
| Name | Description | Typical Input |
|---|---|---|
| Bounding Box | Limit the area for which shadow casting will be calculated. | Bounding Box |
| Affected Centre Position | Controls the centre position of a radial area of space where the connections may be generated. | Null |
| Rendered Emitters | Specify which emitters are rendered using this renderer. By default, all emitters connected to the same particle root as the renderer are rendered. | Primitive Emitter |
| 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 |