Generation properties
Each generator has a group of properties called Generation. These properties control how many nodes are created by each generator, where each node is on its parent, and which direction each node is facing.
The Generation properties let you set a generation mode, edit the mode’s unique properties, and edit the properties that are shared across all modes.
Mode
Nodes are generated based on the selected mode and its associated properties. Some modes use the size of the parent, some adapt to the shape of the parent, and some set the children directly. Choose the mode most appropriate for each generator in your model.
Classic
Classic mode exists solely to support legacy models and should be avoided on new models.
Proportional
Proportional mode creates nodes based on the size of the parent. This mode is useful for randomly distributing nodes on a parent based on the size of the parent.
Proportional steps
Proportional steps mode creates a series of steps with each step containing several nodes. This style of generation is commonly seen on pine trees.
Absolute
Absolute mode creates an exact number of nodes. Use this mode sparingly since it does not adapt to the size of the parent. Specifying exactly one trunk or switching over to this mode to periodically reduce node counts are common uses for this mode.
Absolute steps
Absolute steps mode creates an absolute number of steps with each step having several nodes. This mode does not adapt to the size of the parent and should be used sparingly.
Phyllotaxy
Phyllotaxy mode provides access to many common styles of leaf growth.
Interval
Interval mode creates nodes at regular intervals along the parent and is suitable for use in a wide variety of modeling situations.
Bifurcation
Bifurcation mode places nodes on spots where the parent bends, simulating a split in the branch. Bifurcation is often the easiest way to give models an organic look.
Flood
Flood mode creates an exact number of nodes and places them randomly along the parent.
Parent
Parent mode creates an exact number of nodes and places them at the origin of the parent.
Boundaries
First
Set the lowest point on the parent where nodes occur.
Last
Set the highest point on the parent where nodes occur.
Clip
Remove nodes that are pushed past the First and Last value range (usually by Spread or Position variance).
Common
Active
Set whether a generator is visible based on the active Resolution. The generator is active when the value of the curve is more than 0.5 and inactive when the value of the curve is less than 0.5.
Use this property to swap generators in and out based on the resolution of the model. For example, make a leaf map with only one leaf active in Draft and Low resolution and a leaf map with five leaves active in Medium and High resolution.
Pass
Determine when a generator is computed. By default, all generators compute in pass 1. A generator’s pass number can’t be lower than that of its ancestors. Pass errors result in an error message.
Rotation
Rotate all nodes around the parent spine as a group.
Note
Use variance to jumble up the rotation of the nodes.
Position
Shift all nodes up or down the parent.
Note
Use variance to jumble up the position of the nodes.
Sink
Adjust the start position of all nodes, making them sink into (or push away from) their parent. This property is commonly used to push trunks slightly below the ground plane for easier placement in scenes.
Pruning
Remove branches based on their position on their parent (left side corresponds to nodes near First and right side corresponds to Last). Nodes are removed where the curve value is below 0.5.
Extend parent
The properties in this group govern extensions.
Type
Generate extra nodes at the end of a parent branch, regardless of how many were generated by the selected generation mode. If a Branch generator extends another Branch, expect a seamless transition between nodes. This can be used successively to go from the trunk to the tip of a twig with no transitions. Caps are always generated in this fashion.
This property only works if the parent node is a Branch generator and the child node is one of the following:
- Branch
- Cap
- Leaf mesh
- Batched leaf
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| None | No extension nodes are generated. |
| Any | A node is generated for each open end of the parent (branches can split into two openings). |
| Split 1 | A node is generated off the first split (or only open end) of the parent. |
| Split 2 | A node is generated off the second split (if it exists) of the parent. |
| Skinny | A node is generated off the skinnier of the two splits on the parent. |
| Fat | A node is generated off the fatter of the two splits on the parent. |
| Breaks only | A node is generated only if the parent is broken. |
| Bottom | A node is generated that extends the bottom of the parent. |
Note
Multiple generators can extend a single parent. Use this with splits and the styles Split 1, Split 2, Skinny, and Fat to distinguish and target each part of a split parent.
Count
Control how many extensions can be on any given parent. This option is typically set to one unless multiple branches extending a parent branch is desired.
Knockout
Amount
Remove nodes randomly after the generation mode creates them but before they are computed. Use the parent curve to target this feature based on the model's structure.
+ Resolution
Increase or decrease the amount of nodes removed by Knockout based on the active Resolution.
Force containers
Force containers control where in 3D space nodes can be generated. By typing the name of a geometry force in the box, generated nodes will determine if they are inside the box and then act accordingly.
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Include | Nodes that fall inside the specified geometry force will be created, others will not. |
| Exclude | Nodes that fall inside the specified geometry force will not be created, others will. |
More
Click place
Control how the selected generator responds to click-place actions made by the user in Freehand mode.
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Ready | This generator is ready to accept any click-place action. If more than one eligible generator is ready, one will be selected by the system. |
| None | This generator will not accept click-place actions. |
| Any | Any click-place action will be accepted by this generator, even if other generators will accept it as well. |
| Number | Only click-place actions with the corresponding ID will be accepted. Ready generators will receive a number as soon as they accept a click-place action. |
Mesh alignment
Align the mesh with the chosen destination. This property only works for Leaf mesh and Batched leaf generators, as well any nodes created using click place. The parent node must be a mesh.
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| None | No mesh alignment. |
| Tangent | Align with the surface tangent of the parent mesh. |
| Binormal | Align with the surface binormal of the parent mesh. |
| Parent X | Align with the X axis of the parent orientation. |
| Parent Y | Align with the Y axis of the parent orientation. |
| Parent Z | Align with the Z axis of the parent orientation. |
| World X | Align with the global X axis. |
| World Y | Align with the global Y axis. |
| World Z | Align with the global Z axis. |
Size scalar
Scale the size of the nodes and their children.
Masks
Assign mask assets here to limit the placement of generated nodes.