Curve Editor

The SpeedTree Modeler incorporates curves in the majority of its properties, which allow for easy and detail-oriented modifications to static property values. The curve editor is the interface feature that allows you to view and edit curves.

Most properties can be controlled by one or more curves.

When you click on a curve in the properties window (below, left), the curve editor appears (below, right). The curve editor is an interactive window that gives you a detailed view of the curve, and options for shaping it.

For specific details about the different types of SpeedTree curves and their functions, please see the Curves page.

The properties window. A curve displayed in the window is highlighted and enlarged to show the curve editor window.

Toolbar

Components of the curve toolbar, common to all curves, are as follows:

  • Parent Level - A drop-down menu that allows the user to select the curve associated with each parent level of the current property on the currently selected generator.
  • Curve Preset - A drop-down window that allows quick selection of the most commonly used curve shapes. See below for a brief description of each preset.
  • X - Displays the horizontal coordinate of a point on the curve. The general range of X is 0 to 1. With the exception of the terminal points, on any other existing point you can directly enter a value for precise point placement.
  • Y - Displays the vertical coordinate of a point on the curve. The general range of Y is 0 to the maximum value entered for the property. You can directly enter a value for precise point placement.
  • Pin - The default behavior of the curve editor is to close when you click outside the editor. Toggling the pin keeps the curve editor from closing when making edits in the Modeler outside the curve editor.

The curve editor toolbar.

Curve window

The lighter gray area in which the curve is contained. The range is (0,0) to (1, Max). This is where you can directly edit and modify the curve shape.

  • To edit the curve shape simply click and drag any of the green points. You can select more than one point on the curve by pressing CTRL and clicking each point you want to be selected or by clicking and dragging a box around the points.
  • To add a point to the curve, double-click anywhere on the curve where you’d like another point to appear.
  • To delete a point, click the point to select it and hit delete.
  • Bézier handles can be added to any existing green point on the curve by double-clicking it. This allows you to create true Bézier curves in the curve editor. To remove the Bézier handles from a point, double-click it and it will revert to a standard point.

The curve window.

Note

The curve can be edited in such a way as to exceed the vertical range and exit the light gray portion of the window into the darker gray area. However, this is not generally recommended as it can cause undesirable model behavior. You can increase the range by modifying the property's numerical value.

Preset curve shapes

Standard curve presets
Max - The static maximum value of the property. A horizontal line at the very top of the curve window. Min - The static minimum value of the property, e.e. zero. A horizontal line at the very botton of the curve window.
Half - The static value at half of the maximum. A horizontal line at the midway point of the curve window. Linear Growth - Linear growth from zero to the maximum value.
Linear Decay - Linear decay from the maximum value to zero. Exp. Growth - Approximate exponential growth from the zero to the maximum.
Exp. Decay - Approximate exponential decay from the maximum value to zero. Rise - Linear growth from zero to half of maximum value.
Droop - Linear decay from maximum value to half of maximum value. Round - An inverted parabola, beginning and ending at zero with the vertex being at (.5,Max).
Bell - An approximate bell curve. S-Curve - Sinusoidal curve, beginning at (0,0) and cresting at (1,Max).
Conical - Shape designed to create a conical profile. Fade in/out - Fade in from zero to max and fade out from max to zero.
Note

The preset shapes pictured below are designed to be used with Season Curves and Resolution Curves. That doesn't prevent their use with other curve types, but as the shapes are highly specialized, they are not likely to be of much use elsewhere.

Season curve presets
Season - blossom - Default range for summer materials. Season - spring - Default range for spring materials.
Season - summer - Default range for summer materials. Season - transition to autumn - Default range for summer to autumn transition materials.
Season - autumn - Default range for autumn materials. Season - dead - Default range for dead materials.

Resolution curve presets
Resolution - standard Resolution - aggressive
Resolution - draft knockout