Proportional Steps

The Proportional Steps mode generates nodes in groups (or steps) for each parent relative to the parent's length. Steps are generated at regular intervals and each step has a user controlled number of nodes. This mode adapts to the size of the parent, making it suitable for randomization and cases where parents are of varying sizes.

In the following image, there are three trunks of varying lengths. The branches all use the Proportional Steps generation mode. Notice how short trunks have fewer steps than long ones. Also notice that every trunk gets at least one step, no matter what.

Note

Interval mode is almost always a better choice than "Proportional Steps" mode.

Each of this generation mode's properties is described below.

Steps

The number of steps (each step has one or more nodes) assigned to a parent of average length (longer parents get more steps, shorter parents get fewer).

Per Step

The properties in this group control the nodes at each step.

Number

Sets the number of nodes in a step.

Offset

Use this value to apply a random up or down offset to the nodes in each step. A value of 0.0 means each node in the group are placed at the same position along the parent. A value of 1.0 means each node might spread out as far as the next or previous step.

Roll

Each node is rotated this amount from its initially computed angle.

Jumble

A variance is placed on each node's orientation in order to achieve a more natural and random appearance.

Sweep

Specifies an arc around the parent node where nodes are eligible.

Roll

Each node is rotated this absolute amount from its computed angle.

Align style

When "Align" is enabled, generated nodes attempt to roll their initial orientation skyward as much as they can, according to the following options: |Individual|Each node rolls skyward independently.| |Group|All of the nodes in the group roll skyward together.|

Align

This option toggles the skyward rolling behavior described above.

Shared

The "Shared" properties are common to all generation modes and are documented here.