Introduction

The core concept of the app is a graph. Graphs represent logic that computes geometry primitives (and other data), which flows through the graph.

A graph is a collection of two main elements:

1. Nodes

   • Individual nodes represent compute functions, like the creation of a polygonal box primitive, a noise generator, or the act of joining two curves.
   • This graph has most nodes that exist within the app. Check it out!
   • More information can be found in the Node conecept section.

2. Connections

   • Connections represent the relationship between an output of one node, and the output of another node.
   • More information can be found in the Connection concept section.

Together, nodes and connections represent the flow of geometry and data to generate and compute an authored output.

Boolean

Creates a boolean value.

Inputs

• value

  • Boolean value to output.

• default

  • The default value to output when the set to default input is set to true.

• set to default

  • Sets the value input to the value defined by the default input.

• hide control

  • Hides the parameter control within the parameter panel when the node is parameterized.

• hide label

  • Hides the parameter label (name) within the parameter panel when the node is parameterized.

Outputs

• value

  • The boolean value as defined by the value input.

Notes

• When parameterized this node will appear as a false/true toggle in the parameter panel.

• A boolean value is in essence a 0 or 1 integer value. 0 is false and 1 is true.

• The value input can accept any numerical value (floating value or integer). The boolean node will convert a value of 0 to false (0) whereas any other value other than 0 will return true (1).

• Other names for this node include: BooleanValue, Checkbox, State, Bit, Binary, On/Off, True/False, or Parameter.

Examples

• Hiding geometry

Choice

Creates an enumeration (choice), shown as a dropdown.

Inputs

• value

  • The option index and text to output.

• options

  • A comma separated list of options (e.g. Option1,Option2,Option3).

• index offset

  • Offset the chosen option index by this value.

• default index

  • The default option index to output when the set to default input is set to true or the value input is reset.

• set to default

  • Sets the value input to the option index defined by the default index input.

• reset mode

  • Sets the mode in which the option index is reset to the value defined by the default index input. This can be when any input changes (resets the value input whenever a connected input is changed) or do not reset index (does not reset the value input at all).

• hide control

  • Hides the parameter control within the parameter panel when the node is parameterized.

• hide label

  • Hides the parameter label (name) within the parameter panel when the node is parameterized.

Outputs

• value

  • The chosen option index as defined by the value input (with offset as defined by the index offset input).

• text

  • The chosen option text as defined by the value input.

Note(s)

• When parameterized this node will appear as a dropdown in the parameter panel.

• Other names for this node include: EnumValue, Dropdown, Menu, Choose, Enum, Enumeration, Parameter.

Examples

• Switching between geometries
• Changing choice options

Color

Creates a color (vector) value.

Inputs

• value

  • The color value to output.

• default

  • The default value to output when the set to default input is set to true.

• set to default

  • Sets the value input to the value defined by the default input.

• hide control

  • Hides the parameter control within the parameter panel when the node is parameterized.

• hide label

  • Hides the parameter label (name) within the parameter panel when the node is parameterized.

Outputs

• value

  • The color value as defined by the value input.

Note(s)

• When parameterized this node will appear as three input fields and a color picker in the parameter panel.

• A color value is defined by three values between 0 and 1.

  • Any input value above 1 will be rounded back down to 1.

  • Any input value below 0 will be rounded back up to 0.

  • The 0 - 1 range is the same as the RGB 0 - 255 range. See the range node to convert individual values.

• Any vector values can be utilized as a color value.

• A color value can be set via the “color picker” by clicking on the colored box next to the value and default inputs.

• Other names for this node include: ColorValue and Parameter.

Examples

• Set color

• Colors and vectors

Integer

Creates an integer (whole number) value.

Inputs

• value

  • The integer value to output.

• default

  • The default value to output when the set to default input is set to true or the value input is null.

• set to default

  • Sets the value input to the value defined by the default input.

• min/max mode

  • The mode in which the value input is constrained. See the Note(s) section below for more information.

• min

  • The minimum value of the slider range.

• max

  • The maximum value of the slider range.

• hide control

  • Hides the parameter control within the parameter panel when the node is parameterized.

• hide label

  • Hides the parameter label (name) within the parameter panel when the node is parameterized.

• hide input field

  • Hides the parameter input field within the parameter panel when the node is parameterized.

• hide slider

  • Hides the parameter slider within the parameter panel when the node is parameterized.

Outputs

value

• The integer value as defined by the value input.

input is null

• Outputs a boolean value that indicates whether the value input is null (true) or not (false).

Notes

• When parameterized this node will appear as a slider and input field in the parameter panel.

• Setting a min/max mode input to Soft will allow values outside the range of the values defined by the relevant min and max inputs. Setting it to Hard will not allow values outside the range of the values defined by the relevant min and max inputs (thus clamping any values to this range).

• Other names for this node include: IntegerValue, Whole, Number, and Parameter.

Examples

• Isolating a primitive
• Setting a point within a polyline

Number

Creates a number (floating point) value.

Inputs

• value

  • The number value to output.

• default

  • The default value to output when the set to default input is set to true or the value input is null.

• set to default

  • Sets the value input to the value defined by the default input.

• min/max mode

  • The mode in which the value input is constrained.

• min

  • The minimum value of the slider range.

• max

  • The maximum value of the slider range.

• hide control

  • Hides the parameter control within the parameter panel when the node is parameterized.

• hide label

  • Hides the parameter label (name) within the parameter panel when the node is parameterized.

• hide input field

  • Hides the parameter input field within the parameter panel when the node is parameterized.

• hide slider

  • Hides the parameter slider within the parameter panel when the node is parameterized.

Outputs

• value

  • The integer value as defined by the value input.

• input is null

  • Outputs a boolean value that indicates whether the value input is null (true) or not (false).

Notes

• When parameterized this node will appear as a slider and input field in the parameter panel.

• Setting a min/max mode input to Soft will allow values outside the range of the values defined by the relevant min and max inputs. Setting it to Hard will not allow values outside the range of the values defined by the relevant min and max inputs (thus clamping any values to this range).

• Other names for this node include: FloatValue, Float, Double, Decimal, Real, and Parameter.

Examples

• Scaling a box
• Smart sizing geometry

String

Creates a string value.

Inputs

• value

  • The string value to output.

• default

  • The default value to output when the set to default input is set to true.

• set to default

  • Sets the value input to the value defined by the default input.

• hide control

  • Hides the parameter control within the parameter panel when the node is parameterized.

• hide label

  • Hides the parameter label (name) within the parameter panel when the node is parameterized.

Outputs

• value

  • The string value as defined by the value input.

Notes

• When parameterized this node will appear as an input field in the parameter panel.

• Other names for this node include: StringValue, Text, Word, and Parameter.

Examples

• Adding and getting an attribute

Vector

Creates an xyz vector value.

Inputs

• value

  • The vector value to output.

• default

  • The default value to output when the set to default input is set to true.

• set to default

  • Sets the value input to the value defined by the default input.

• hide control

  • Hides the parameter control within the parameter panel when the node is parameterized.

• hide label

  • Hides the parameter label (name) within the parameter panel when the node is parameterized.

Outputs

• value

  • The vector value as defined by the value input.

Notes

• When parameterized this node will appear as three input fields in the parameter panel.

• The order of the individual input boxes for the value and default inputs are (from left to right): x, y, and z.

• Other names for this node include: VectorValue, Point, Coordinate, Direction, xyz, and Parameter.

Examples

• Scaling a box
• Setting a point within a polyline

Boolean list

Creates a list of boolean values.

Inputs

• list

  • The boolean list to output.

• size

  • The size (length) of the list to output when the initialize input is set to true.

• default

  • The default value to output when the initialize input is set to true.

• pattern

  • Sets the list input to a pattern of boolean values as defined by the start, end, skip, and every inputs when the initialize input is set to true.

• start

  • The index of the list input where the pattern starts.

• end

  • The index of the list input where the pattern ends.

• skip

  • The number of indexes to skip within a repeated section of the pattern of the list input.

• every

  • The number of indexes within a repeated section of the pattern of the list input.

• initialize

  • Sets the list input values as per the values of the size, default, pattern, start, end, skip, and every inputs.

Outputs

• list

  • The boolean list as defined by the list input.

Notes

• A custom list can be made by clicking on the <boolean list> space of the list input via the “Add Item” button.

• When the initialize input is set to true, any values manually entered into the list input will be replaced with the default input value.

• When the initialize input is true, manually inputted values will be overridden by the default input value.

• The pattern input:

  • When both the initialize and pattern inputs are set to true, the default input (and therefore list input) will be replaced with the pattern set by the start, end, skip, and every inputs.
  • Changing the default input value will invert the set pattern.
  • List indexes outside of the pattern range (as set by the start and end inputs) will be set to the value according to the default input.

• Other names for this node include: BooleanList, Mask, and Bitmask.

Examples

• Deleting primitives with a boolean pattern

Integer list

Creates a list of integer values.

Inputs

• list

  • The integer list to output.

• size

  • The size (length) of the list to output when the initialize input is set to true.

• iterator

  • Sets the list input to an iterative (sequential) list of integer values (i.e. 0, 1, 2, …, n) when the initialize input is set to true.

• default

  • The default value to output when the initialize input is set to true.

• initialize

  • Sets the list input values as per the values of the size, iterator, and default inputs.

Outputs

• list

  • The integer list as defined by the list input.

Notes

• A custom list can be made by clicking on the <integer list> space of the _list _input via the “Add Item” button.

• When the initialize input is true, manually inputted values will be overridden by the default input value.

• When both the initialize and iterator inputs are true, the iterative values override the default input value.

• Other names for this node include: IntegerList, Number list.

Examples

• Isolating a primitive

Number list

Creates a list of number (floating point) values.

Inputs

• list

  • The number list to output.

• size

  • The size (length) of the list to output when the initialize input is set to true.

• default

  • The default value of the list to output when the initialize input is set to true.

• initialize

  • Sets the list input values as per the values of the size and default inputs.

Outputs

• list

  • The number list as defined by the list input.

Notes

• A custom list can be made by clicking on the <number list> space of the list input via the “Add Item” button.

• When the initialize input is true, manually inputted values will be overridden by the default input value.

• Other names for this node include: FloatList, Float list and Decimal list.

Examples

• Setting a number list item

String list

Creates a list of string values.

Inputs

• list

  • The string list to output.

• size

  • The size (length) of the list to output when the initialize input is set to true.

• default

  • The default value of the list to output when the initialize input is set to true.

• initialize

  • Sets the list input values as per the values of the size and default inputs.

Outputs

• list

  • The string list as defined by the list input.

Notes

• A custom list can be made by clicking on the <string list> space of the list input via the “Add Item” button.

• When the initialize input is true, manually inputted values will be overridden by the default input value.

• Other names for this node include: StringList, Text list, and Word list.

Examples

• Changing choice options

Vector list

Creates a list of xyz vector values.

Inputs

• list

  • The vector list to output.

• size

  • The size (length) of the list to output when the initialize input is set to true.

• default

  • The default value of the list to output when the initialize input is set to true.

• initialize

  • Sets the list input values as per the values of the size and default inputs.

Outputs

• list

  • The vector list as defined by the list input.

Notes

• A custom list can be made by clicking on the <vector list> space of the list input via the “Add Item” button.

• When the initialize input is true, manually inputted values will be overridden by the default input value.

• Other names for this node include: VectorList, Point list, Coordinate list, Direction list, and xyz list.

Examples

• Points to curve

Boolean 2d paths

Performs 2D boolean operations on curves/polygons.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts multiple geometry connections.

• work plane

  • The work plane in which the 2D boolean operation will be performed in. This can be X=0, Y=0, or Z=0.

• pre-flatten

  • Flattens the input curves/polygons into the work plane defined by the work plane input before the 2D boolean operation.

• boolean type

  • Sets the type of 2D boolean operation to be performed. This can be intersect, union, difference, or xor.

• fill type

  • Sets the type of fill that is considered when the 2D boolean operation is performed. For more information visit: http://www.angusj.com/delphi/clipper/documentation/Docs/Units/ClipperLib/Types/PolyFillType.htm

• primary polygon

  • Sets which input curve/polygon is to be considered as the primary polygon in the 2D boolean operation. This can be the first or last of the list of input curves/polygons.

• primary role

  • Sets the role of the primary curve/polygon (as defined by the primary polygon input). This can be clip (the curve/polygon to operate with), or subject (the curve/polygon to operate on).

• close resulting curves

  • Sets whether to close the resulting curves/polygons after the 2D boolean operation.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output curve/polygon primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output curve/polygon primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output curve/polygon primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output curve/polygon primitives.

Note(s)

• 2D boolean operations are projected back to the selected work plane defined by the work plane input.

  • If pre-flatten is false, then all curves that are to be operated on need to be on the defined work plane. Otherwise the operation will fail, or curves/polygons will be excluded from the operation.

• Requires at least two curve/polygon input primitives.

• Other names for this node include: CurveBoolean, Curve boolean, and Polygon boolean.

Examples

• Boolean union curves
• Triangulate overlapping outlines

Offset 2d path

Offsets curves in the chosen workplane.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• work plane

  • The work plane in which the 2D offset operation will be performed in. This can be X=0, Y=0, or Z=0.

• pre-flatten

  • Flattens the input curves into the work plane defined by the work plane input before the 2D offset operation.

• offset

  • The distance the input curves will be offset.

• join

  • Sets the type of join that will be performed at the vertices of the 2D offset. This can be miter, square, round, or simple (none).

• miter limit

  • The distance limit before a miter join is made. If joins of an offset are beyond the limit, then a bevel join will be made at the limit value.

• arc precision

  • The level of precision of the round join offset. The closer to 0, the higher the precision of the rounded join.

• close resulting curves

  • Sets whether to close the resulting curves after the 2D offset operation.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output curve primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output curve primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output curve primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output curve primitives.

Notes

• Both the miter limit and arc precision inputs only affect the miter and round join types respectively and will only be available when those types are defined in the join input.

• Other names for this node include: OffsetCurve, Offset curve, and Offset polygon.

Examples

• Offset joins
• Filet using offset

Triangulate 2d path

Converts 2D curves into a triangulated mesh in a chosen workplane.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• work plane

  • The work plane in which the triangulation will be performed in. This can be X=0, Y=0, or Z=0.

• pre-flatten

  • Flattens the input curves into the work plane defined by the work plane input before triangulation.

• library

  • Sets the triangulation library to triangulate input curves. This can be Poly2Tri (quicker) or Triangle (slower, but offers triangle refinement and smoothing).

• input handling

  • Sets how the input curves are handled within the triangulation. This can be first curve is outline, others are holes (the first input curve is the outline and following input curves are holes within the resulting mesh) or all curves are outlines (all input curves are outlines and no holes are made).

• make convex hull

  • Sets whether the resulting triangulation is a convex hull of the input curves or not.

• algorithm

  • Sets the algorithm to use for triangulation while the library input is set to Triangle. This can be sweepline, Dwyer, or incremental.

• refine

  • Sets whether or not to manually refine the triangles in the resulting triangulation when the library input is set to Triangle.

• max area

  • The maximum area of triangles in the resulting triangulation when the library input is set to Triangle and the refine input is set to true.

• min angle

  • The minimum angle of triangles in the resulting triangulation when the library input is set to Triangle and the refine input is set to true.

• max angle

  • The maximum angle of triangles in the resulting triangulation when the library input is set to Triangle and the refine input is set to true.

• smoothing

  • The amount of smoothing of triangle layout after triangulation defined between 0 and 100.

• inner points

  • A list of extra internal points that will force the creation of vertices at these points.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Notes

• The first curve is outline, others are holes setting of the input handling input results in a single primitive whereas the all curves are outlines setting results in a primitive for each input curve.

• If the input curve is irregular and the resulting triangulate mesh results in “zero area triangles”, it is recommended to use the Clean mesh node to fix the mesh.

• Other names for this node include: TriangulateCurve, Triangulate curve, Tessellate, Mesh, and Path to mesh.

Examples

• Triangulate an outline

Add attribute

Adds attributes (metadata) to points, primitives, nodes, or graphs.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• type

  • Sets the type of attribute to add. These are per point (added to each point of the input primitives), per primitive (added to each of the input primitives), on node (added to the node), and on graph (added to the graph).

• attribute name

  • The name to give the attribute.

• value

  • The value to assign to the attribute. This can be any of the basic data types (number (number, integer, and boolean), vector (vector and color), or string).

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• See Attribute for more information on attributes, and their function in the graph.

• This node can be used in conjunction with the get attribute node to later retrieve the attribute data.

• Other names for this node include: AddAttribute, Set attribute and Write attribute.

Examples

• Adding and getting an attribute

• Remove a choice option

Get attribute

Extracts attribute (metadata) by name and data type.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• type

  • Sets the type of attribute to add. This can be per point (added to each point of the input geometry), per primitive (added to each primitive of the input geometry), on node (added to the node), or on graph (added to the graph).

• attribute name

  • The name to give the attribute.

• value

  • The value to assign to the attribute. This can be any of the basic data types (number (number, integer, and boolean), vector (vector and color), and string).

Outputs

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Notes

• See Attribute for more information on attributes, and their function in the graph.

• The value input is a special type of input that can accept any type of data.

• Other names for this node include: GetAttribute, Attribute to list, and Read attribute.

Examples

• Adding and getting an attribute

• Remove a choice option

Copy

Copies and transforms geometry.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts multiple geometry connections.

• # of copies

  • The number of copies to make of the input primitives.

• translate

  • The vector value that defines how much each copy will be translated (moved). Each copy of the input primitives will be translated from the transform of the previous copy.

  • For example, a box with a center at 0,0,0 is copied at a translate input of 500,0,0. The first copy will be translated to 500,0,0, the second copy will be translated another 500,0,0 for a total translation of 1000,0,0, and so on.

• rotate

  • The vector value that defines how much each copy will be rotated. Each copy of the input primitives will be rotated from the transform of the previous copy.

  • For example, a box with a starting rotation of 0,0,0 is copied at a _rotate _input of 0,0,45. The first copy will be rotated by 0,0,45, the second copy will be rotated another 45,0,0 for a total rotation of 0,0,90 (from the original input primitives), and so on.

• scale

  • The vector value that defines how much each copy will be scaled. Each copy of the input primitives will be scaled from the transform of the previous copy.

  • For example, a box (with dimensions 1000,1000,1000) is copied at a scale input of 1,1,1.5. The first copy will be scaled by 1.5,1.5,1.5 (now with dimensions of 1000,1000,1500), the second copy will scale the first copy (that has the dimensions of 1000,1000,1500) by 1,1,1.5 (now with dimensions of 1000,1000,2250), and so on.

• uniform scale

  • The value that defines how much each copy will be scaled uniformly. Each copy of the input primitives will be scaled from the transform of the previous copy.

  • For example, a box (with dimensions 1000,1000,1000) is copied at a uniform scale input of 1.5. The first copy will be uniformly scaled by 1.5 to the dimensions of 1500,1500,1500, the second copy will uniformly scale the first copy (that has the dimensions of 1500,1500,1500) by 1.5 to the dimensions of 2250,2250,2250, and so on.

• combine meshes

  • Sets whether to combine all copied meshes into a singular mesh primitive. Only meshes are combined. Curves, NURBS surfaces, and other primitive types are ignored with this function.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• The combine meshes input has the same function as the combine meshes node with its group behavior input set to exclude meshes from groups.

• Other names for this node include: Duplicate.

Examples

• Copying geometry
• Loft as NURBS patch

Copy using vectors

Copies primitives based on lists of input vectors.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• positions

  • The position(s) to copy input primitives to.

• normals

  • The direction(s) that copied input primitives will orientate themselves towards.

• up vectors

  • The rotation(s) that copied input primitives will orientate themselves to (based on the direction set by the normals input). See the Note(s) section below for more information.

• combine meshes

  • Sets whether to combine all copied meshes into a singular mesh primitive. Only meshes are combined. Curves, NURBS surfaces, and other primitive types are ignored with this function.

• mode

  • Sets the mode in which the normals and up vectors inputs are applied to input primitives.

  • For example, when set to 4 X axis = tangent, Y axis = up vectors input, and the Z axis = normals input (in regards to the original orientation of the input primitives).

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• The positions, normals, and up vectors inputs can be visualized like so (when using a polyline and the mode input is set to 4):

• Notes specific to the mode input:

  • Using mode 4 is recommended, as it represents the intended function of the node. Modes 0 through 3 are considered deprecated but will still function.

  • The tangent of the modes as described above in the mode input section above is the resultant of the normals and up vectors inputs.

  • Often vector rotations are described in handedness or chirality (See here for more information). In regards to the different modes: modes 0 and 1 are left-handed whereas modes 2, 3, and 4 are right-handed.

• The combine meshes input has the same function as the combine meshes node with the group behavior input set to exclude meshes from groups.

• Other names for this node include: Copy2, Duplicate, Instance, and Matrix.

Example(s)

• Copy using vectors

• Loft along curve

Iterator

Iterates through a number of loops as defined by a paired loop node with the same tag.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• idling value

  • The integer value to output.

  • This value doesn’t have any effect on the computed result of the paired loop node, rather it allows the change of the value output to inspect nodes within specific iterations.

• tag

  • The tag that is used to reference an iterator - loop pair.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• value

  • The integer value output as defined by the current iteration of a loop. The idling value input allows you to change this output to view nodes within specific iterations.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Notes

• The geometry output of the iterator node changes depending on if the paired loop node has its cumulative input set to true or not.
  • If the paired loop node's cumulative input is set to false, then the geometry output of the relevant iterator node will be the input primitives.
  • If the paired loop node's cumulative input is set to true, then the geometry output of the relevant iterator node will be the result of the previous iteration.

Examples

• Loops: 2D boolean two sets of curves
• Loops: Random colors

Loop

Loop nodes repeat a section of the graph.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• # of loops

  • The number of loops to iterate through.

• iterator tag

  • The tag of an iterator node to reference an iterator - loop pair.

• cumulative

  • Sets whether the loop is cumulative or not. See the Notes section below for more information.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Notes

• Loop types:

  • A non-cumulative loop (the default loop) is a type of loop that repeats the section of a graph between an iterator - loop node pair for the defined number of loops. The geometry output of the loop node with this type of loop is the result of every iteration/loop, acting similarly to the copy node.
  • A cumulative loop is a type of loop that also repeats a section of the graph for a defined number of loops. Only with a cumulative loop, the previous iteration is used to inform the next iteration, accumulating changes each iteration.
    • The current iteration of the loop as defined by the idling value of the relevant iterator node will only compute the nodes as though it were a non-cumulative loop. The full computation of a cumulative loop can only be seen from the final loop node.

• To be used in conjunction with an iterator node assigned with the same tag.

• Other names for this node include: Iterate.

Examples

• Loops: 2D boolean two sets of curves
• Loops: Recursive align

Box

Creates a box.

Inputs

• type

  • Sets the type of box to output. This can be normal or csg.

• center

  • The vector value that defines the center of the output box.

• scale

  • The vector value that defines the scale of the output box.

• uniform scale

  • The vector value that defines the uniform scale of the output box.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Notes

• The scale of a box in both the scale and uniform scale inputs are additive and are both considered in the operation of the node.

• The size of a box when both the scale and uniform scale inputs are 1 are the same unit scale as the set “graph length unit”. For example if the “graph length unit” is in millimeters, then the size of the box will be 1mm,1mm,1mm.

• The type input defines the library in which a box is created (normal and CSG). Both are functionally similar, though will have differing triangulation methods.

• Other names for this node include: PolyBox, Poly box, and Cube.

Examples

• Scaling a box

Circle

Creates a circle.

Inputs

• type

  • Sets the type of circle to output. These are NURBS curve, polyline, and mesh.

• center

  • The vector value that defines the center of the output circle.

• orientation

  • Sets the plane in which the output circle is orientated. These are XZ, YZ, and XY.

• radius

  • The value that defines the radius of the output circle.

• segments

  • The value that defines how many segments the output circle has.

• start angle

  • The value that defines the starting angle of the output circle.

• end angle

  • The value that defines the ending angle of the output circle.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output circle primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• Only the polyline and mesh settings on the type input have the segments, start angle, and end angle inputs.

  • Adjusting the start angle and end angle inputs will create an arc/semicircle.

• A mesh circle is unwelded by default (between start angle and end angle.).

• The segments input can be used to make any regular polygon (triangle, quadrilateral, pentagon, etc.).

• Other names for this node include: CircleV2 and Arc.

Examples

• Circle

Cylinder

Creates a cylinder between two vector positions.

Inputs

• start

  • The vector value that defines the start of the output cylinder.

• end

  • The vector value that defines the end of the output cylinder.

• radius

  • The value that defines the radius of the output cylinder.

• segments

  • The value that defines how many segments the output cylinder has.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Notes

• Other names for this node include: PolyCylinder, Poly cylinder, and Tube.

Examples

• Cylinder

Line

Creates lines as NURBS curves.

Inputs

• mode

  • Sets the mode in which the line is created. This can be centered (as defined by a center point vector and direction vector), origin + direction (as defined by a start point vector and direction vector), or point to point (as defined by start and end point vectors).

• center

  • The vector value that defines the center of the output line when the mode input is set to center.

• start point

  • The vector value that defines the start of the output line when the mode input is set to origin + direction or point to point.

• end point

  • The vector value that defines the end of the output line when the mode input is set to point to point.

• direction

  • The vector value that defines the direction of the output line when the mode input is set to origin + direction.

• length

  • The value that defines the length of the output line when the mode input is set to origin + direction.

• number of points

  • The value that defines the number of points within the output line.

• order

  • The value that defines the order of the output line. See NURBS curve for more information.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Notes

• Other names for this node include: Curve, and Polyline.

Examples

• Line modes

Locator

Creates a locator.

Inputs

• id

  • The string value that defines the ID of the locator.

• position

  • The vector value that defines the position of the locator.

• type

  • The string value that defines the position of the locator.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• Currently there are only two types: the default locator type (when the type input is left empty) and a snap. The snap type can be set by entering this JSON string: {"type": "snap"}.

  • When creating snaps, snaps are designed to snap together by their axis like so: z^ x><x z^. In other words, the positive x direction of one locator will face the positive x direction of the other and the two positive z directions of both locators will be aligned.

• See Locator for more information on the locator primitive type.

• Other names for this node include: Handle, Snap, and Control point.

Example(s)

• Using locators

Point grid

Creates a grid of points.

Inputs

• origin

  • The vector value that defines the origin (the position of the first point) of the output points.

• resolutionX

  • The value that defines the resolution (number of points) within the x-axis.

• resolutionY

  • The value that defines the resolution (number of points) within the y-axis.

• resolutionZ

  • The value that defines the resolution (number of points) within the z-axis.

• spacing

  • The vector value that defines the spacing between points within the grid.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Notes

• The points defined by the resolution inputs are set within the positive direction of their respective axes.

• Other names for this node include: PointGrid.

Examples

• Point grids
• Rectangle grid

Points

Creates points at input positions.

Inputs

• positions

  • The list of vector values that define the positions where points are created.

• initialize

  • Sets the positions input vector values to the vector values as defined by the init list input.

• init list

  • The list of vector values that will be output when initialized.

• output as mesh vertices

  • Sets whether the output primitives are as Points primitives or PolyMesh vertices.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• If the positions input has a list of vectors connected to it, then the connected input will override the values in init list when initialized.

• Other names for this node include: Create points.

Example(s)

• Points

• Points to curve

Rectangle

Creates a rectangular plane.

Inputs

• type

  • Sets the type of rectangle to output. This can be NURBS surface, points, mesh, or polyline.

• orientation

  • Sets the plane in which the output rectangle is orientated. This can be XZ, YZ, or XY.

• center

  • The vector value that defines the center of the output rectangle.

• length

  • The value that defines the length dimension of the output rectangle.

• width

  • The value that defines the width dimension of the output rectangle.

• orderU

  • The value that defines the order of the U axis of the output rectangle (in the same axis as the _width _input) when the type input is set to NURBS surface. See NURBS surface for more information.

• orderV

  • The value that defines the order of the V axis of the output rectangle (in the the same axis as the length input) when the type input is set to NURBS surface. See NURBS surface for more information.

• point columns

  • The value that defines the number of point columns along the same axis as the width input.

• point rows

  • The value that defines the number of point rows along the same axis as the length input.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Notes

• Other names for this node include: Plane, Square, Grid, and Patch.

Examples

• Rectangle

Sphere

Creates a sphere.

Inputs

• center

  • The vector value that defines the center of the output sphere.

• radius

  • The value that defines the radius of the output sphere.

• type

  • Sets the type of sphere to output. This can be ico (an icosphere constructed from equilateral triangles), columns & rows (a sphere constructed from columns and rows), or CSG (a sphere constructed from the CSG system).

• detail

  • The value that defines the level of detail of the output sphere when the type input is set to ico.

• columns

  • The value that defines the number of columns of the output sphere when the type input is set to column & rows or CSG.

• rows

  • The value that defines the number of rows of the output sphere when the type input is set to column & rows or CSG.

• phi start

  • The value that defines the start angle (in the same axis as the columns input) of the output sphere when the type input is set to column & rows.

• phi end

  • The value that defines the end angle (in the same axis as the columns input) of the output sphere when the type input is set to column & rows.

• theta start

  • The value that defines the start angle (in the same axis as the rows input) of the output sphere when the type input is set to column & rows.

• theta end

  • The value that defines the end angle (in the same axis as the rows input) of the output sphere when the type input is set to column & rows.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Notes

• When the type input is set to columns & rows, adjusting the phi and theta start/end inputs will create domes and partial spheres.

• Other names for this node include: PolySphere, Poly sphere, Icosphere, Ball, and Globe.

Examples

• Sphere

Tetrahedron

Creates a Tetrahedron.

Inputs

• center

  • The vector value that defines the center of the output tetrahedron.

• scale

  • The vector value that defines the scale of the output tetrahedron.

• weld vertices

  • Sets whether to weld the vertices of the output tetrahedron or not.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Notes

• Other names for this node include: TetrahedronV2.

Examples

• Tetrahedron

Geometry asset

Imports a geometry asset.

Inputs

• preload asset

  • Sets whether to load the output geometry asset on graph load or not.

• asset uri

  • The asset URI (as a string value) that defines what uploaded geometry asset to output. See Assets for more information.

• use OBJ groups

  • Sets whether the output geometry asset utilizes OBJ groups as separate primitives or not (this is only relevant if the geometry asset is of the Wavefront OBJ file format).

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

• asset uri

  • The asset URI of the uploaded geometry asset as defined by the asset uri input (as a string value). See Assets for more information.

• asset name

  • The name of the uploaded geometry asset (as a string value).

Note(s)

• Geometry can be uploaded by dragging and dropping the file into the graph viewer.
• Trimble Creator supports following geometry file formats for import, with noted limitations:
  • TrimBIM (.trb)
  • IGES
    • NURBS curves (126), patches (128), polylines (106) - no trimmed patches.
  • Wavefront OBJ
    • Vertices, faces, groups, but no normals, nor UVs.
  • DXF
    • Polyline entity type only.
• Other names for this node include: GeometryAsset, Geometry, Load, OBJ, IGES, IGS, STL, DXF, and TrimBIM.

Examples

• Geometry Assets

Graph asset

References graphs.

Inputs

• preload asset

  • Sets whether to load the referenced graph when the parent graph is loaded or not.

• asset uri

  • The asset URI (as a string value) that defines what referenced graph asset to output. See Assets for more information.

• latest version

  • Sets whether to load the latest version of the referenced graph or not.

• parameters

  • A JSON string containing key-value pairs that defines what values to set parameters in the referenced graph.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

• asset uri

  • The asset URI (a string value) of the referenced graph. See Assets for more information.

• asset name

  • The name of the referenced graph as a string value.

• parameters

  • The JSON string containing key-value pairs of the referenced graph’s parameters.

Note(s)

• Some examples of a JSON string for the parameter input are as follows (which can be input as a string value type):

  • {“Parameter1”:value,“Parameter2”:value}

  • {“Length”:1000,“Width”:500,“Thickness”:300}

• The JSON string can be constructed using various methods, but it is recommended to use the Combine data and JSON builder nodes to do so. An example of this can be found in the example graphs linked below.

• Other names for this node include: GraphAsset, Graph import, Graph reference, Subgraph.

Example(s)

• Graph referencing: Using JSON builder and combine data to build a parameter set

• Graph referencing: Referenced graph

Image asset

Imports an image asset.

Inputs

• preload asset

  • Sets whether to load the output image asset on graph load or not.

• asset uri

  • The asset URI (as a string value) that defines what uploaded image asset to output. See Assets for more information.

Outputs

• asset uri

  • The asset URI of the uploaded image asset as defined by the asset uri input. See Assets for more information.

• asset name

  • The name of the uploaded image asset (as a string value).

Notes

• Images can be uploaded to the graph by dragging and dropping the file into the graph viewer.

• Following image file formats are supported for import:

  • JPEG / JPG
  • PNG

• Other names for this node include: ImageAsset, Picture, Texture, Bitmap, JPEG, JPG, and PNG.

Examples

• Assigning materials and textures
• Flip texture UVs

Image asset

Imports an image asset.

Inputs

• preload asset

  • Sets whether to load the output image asset on graph load or not.

• asset uri

  • The asset URI (as a string value) that defines what uploaded image asset to output. See Assets for more information.

Outputs

• asset uri

  • The asset URI of the uploaded image asset as defined by the asset uri input. See Assets for more information.

• asset name

  • The name of the uploaded image asset (as a string value).

Notes

• Images can be uploaded to the graph by dragging and dropping the file into the graph viewer.

• Following image file formats are supported for import:

  • JPEG / JPG
  • PNG

• Other names for this node include: ImageAsset, Picture, Texture, Bitmap, JPEG, JPG, and PNG.

Examples

• Assigning materials and textures
• Flip texture UVs

Material

Sets the material properties of primitives.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• primitive mask

  • The list of boolean values that defines which input primitives to set the material properties to. If empty, all input primitives will be set to the defined material properties.

• set base color

  • Sets whether to set a base color material property to the input primitives or not.

• base color

  • The color value (vector) that defines the base color to set the input primitives when the set base color input is set to true.

• set base texture

  • Sets whether to set a base texture material property to the input primitives or not.

• base texture

  • The string value (image asset URI) that defines the base texture to set to the input primitives when the set base texture input is set to true.

• set opacity

  • Sets whether to set an opacity material property to the input primitives or not.

• opacity

  • The value that defines the opacity to set to the input primitives (between a range of 0 and 1) when the set opacity input is set to true.

• set roughness

  • Sets whether to set a roughness material property to the input primitives or not.

• specular roughness

  • The value that defines the specular roughness to set to the input primitives (between a range of 0 and 1) when the set roughness input is set to true.

• roughness texture

  • The string value (image asset URI) that defines the roughness texture to set to the input primitives when the set roughness input is set to true.

• set metallic

  • Sets whether to set a metallic material property to the input primitives or not.

• metallic

  • The value that defines the metalness to set to the input primitives (between a range of 0 and 1) when the set metallic input is set to true.

• metallic texture

  • The string value (image asset URI) that defines the metallic texture to set to the input primitives when the set metallic input is set to true.

• set reflectance

  • Sets whether to set a reflectance material property to the input primitives or not.

• reflectance

  • The value that defines the reflectance to set to the input primitives (between a range of 0 and 1) when the set reflectance input is set to true.

• reflectance texture

  • The string value (image asset URI) that defines the reflectance texture to set to the input primitives when the set reflectance input is set to true.

• set bump

  • Sets whether to set a bump material property to the input primitives or not.

• bump

  • The value that defines the bump to set to the input primitives (between a range of 0 and 1) when the set bump input is set to true.

• bump texture

  • The string value (image asset URI) that defines the bump texture to set to the input primitives when the set bump input is set to true.

• set incandescence

  • Sets whether to set an incandescent material property to the input primitives or not.

• incandescence

  • The color value (vector) that defines the incandescence to set to the input primitives (between a range of 0 and 1) when the set incandescence input is set to true.

• incandescence texture

  • The string value (image asset URI) that defines the incandescence texture to set to the input primitives when the set incandescence input is set to true.

• set double-sided

  • Sets whether to set the material properties on the input primitives to be double-sided or not.

• double-sided

  • Sets whether to make the material properties double-sided or not.

• set texture size

  • Sets whether to set the size of the texture inputs to set to the input primitives or not.

• texture size

  • The value that defines the size of the textures used in the material properties (also known as the UV scale of the textures).

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Notes

• See Material for more information.

• Other names for this node include: SetMaterial, Set Material, and Shader.

Examples

• Assigning materials and textures

• Semi-transparent textures

• Tiling textures

Set color

Sets the color and alpha of primitives.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• set

  • Sets what aspect of the input primitives to set the color. This can be surface (diffuse) color or mesh wireframe colors.

• color

  • The color value (vector) that defines what color to set the input primitives.

• alpha

  • The value that defines the alpha (transparency) of the set color (between a range of 0 and 1).

• primitive mask

  • The list of boolean values that defines which input primitives to set the color to. If empty, all input primitives will be set to the defined color.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Notes

• Other names for this node include: SetColor, Alpha, Wireframe, and Transparency.

Examples

• Set Color
• Deleting primitives with a boolean pattern

Project UV

Creates UV coordinates on a mesh by projecting along an axis.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• axis

  • Sets the axis in which the UV coordinates are projected. This can be X, Y or Z.

• repeat U

  • The value that defines how many times a U coordinate will be projected along its respective dimension.

• repeat V

  • The value that defines how many times a V coordinate will be projected along its respective dimension.

• repeat bounds

  • Sets the bounds by which UV coordinates are projected. These can be per object (per each individual primitive) or all objects (over all input primitives).

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• Other names for this node include: ProjectUV, Texture, and Map.

Example(s)

• Assigning materials & textures

• Flip texture UVs on a mesh

• Tiling textures

Geometry bounds

Calculates the bounds of the input primitives.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• output opposite

  • Sets whether to invert the output geometry bounds or not.

Outputs

• xMin

  • The value of the minimum bound of all the input primitives in the x-axis.

• yMin

  • The value of the minimum bound of all the input primitives in the y-axis.

• zMin

  • The value of the minimum bound of all the input primitives in the z-axis.

• xMax

  • The value of the maximum bound of all the input primitives in the x-axis.

• yMax

  • The value of the maximum bound of all the input primitives in the y-axis.

• zMax

  • The value of the maximum bound of all the input primitives in the z-axis.

• primitive minimum bounds

  • The list of vector values of the minimum bounds of each individual input primitive.

• primitive maximum bounds

  • The list of vector values of the maximum bounds of each individual input primitive.

Notes

• Other names for this node include: GeometryBounds, Extent, Minimum, and Maximum.

Examples

• Rotate around pivot

Geometry center

Calculates the center of the input primitives.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• mode

  • Sets the mode in which this node calculates the center of the input primitives. This can be center (the midpoint of the geometry bounds) or centroid (the average of the points within the geometry).

• output opposite

  • Sets whether to invert the output geometry center or not.

Outputs

• center

  • The vector value of the calculated geometry center of all input primitives.

• centerX

  • The x value of the calculated geometry center of all input primitives.

• centerY

  • The y value of the calculated geometry center of all input primitives.

• centerZ

  • The z value of the calculated geometry center of all input primitives.

• primitive centers

  • The list of vector values of the geometry centers of each individual input primitive.

Notes

• Other names for this node include: GeometryCentroid, Centroid, and Barycenter.

Examples

• Geometry center
• Create a bounding box
• Spiral curve

Geometry size

Calculates the size of the input primitives.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

Outputs

• size

  • The vector value of the calculated geometry size of all input primitives.

• sizeX

  • The x value of the calculated geometry size of all input primitives.

• sizeY

  • The y value of the calculated geometry size of all input primitives.

• sizeZ

  • The z value of the calculated geometry size of all input primitives.

• primitive sizes

  • The list of vector values of the geometry sizes of each individual input primitive.

Notes

• Other names for this node include: GeometrySize.

Examples

• Create a bounding box

# points

Calculates the point count of input primitives.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• minus one

  • Sets whether to subtract 1 from the number of points output or not.

Outputs

• number of points

  • The number of points in input primitives.

Note(s)

• Other names for this node include: NumPoints, Number of points, Amount of points.

Example(s)

• Unwelded v. welded number of points

• Deleting points based on a boolean pattern

# primitives

Calculates the number of input primitives.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• minus one

  • Sets whether to subtract 1 from the number of primitives output or not.

Outputs

• number of primitives

  • The number of primitives.

Note(s)

• Other names for this node include: NumPrimitives, Number of primitives, and Amount of primitives.

Example(s)

• Remove first and last primitive of a list

Closest point on curve

Finds the closest point on an input curve to input points.

Inputs

• geometry

  • The input curves to find closest point on.

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• positions

  • The list of vector values of the points’ positions.

• accuracy

  • The value that determines how accurate the point is found on the input curve.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

• distances

  • The list of distances between the input positions and the found points on the input curve.

• u coordinates

  • The list of u coordinates of the found points on the input curve.

Note(s)

• Other names for this node include: ClosestPointOnCurve, Nearest, and Distance.

Example(s)

• Closest point on curve

Closest points to points

Finds the closest target points to source points.

Inputs

• mode

  • Sets the method in which points are found. This can be either closest point or number of points within radius.

• source points

  • The list of source points to find the closest points among the target points.

• target points

  • The list of target points among which the closest points are found from the source points.

• calculate distance

  • Sets whether to calculate the distances between the source points and their nearest target points or not.

• radius

  • The value that defines the size of the radius in which a number of points are found when the mode is set to number of points within radius.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

• indices

  • The list of indices of the closest target points.

• distances

  • The distances between the source points and the closest target points.

• number of points within radius

  • The number of target points within the defined radius from each source point when the mode intput is set to number of points within radius.

Note(s)

• Other names for this node include: ClosestPointsToPoints, Nearest, Distance, Radius, and Neighbour.

Example(s)

• Find shortest distance between two polygons

• Loft polygons with unequal points

Mesh area

Calculates the area of polygons.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

Outputs

• triangle areas

  • The list of areas for individual triangles of the input PolyMesh primitives.

• total area

  • The total area of all triangles of the input PolyMesh primitives.

Note(s)

• Other names for this node include: PolyArea, Poly area, Triangle area, and Mesh surface.

Example(s)

• Calculating volume

Normals

Calculates the normals, tangents and binormals of primitives.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• mode

  • Sets the mode in which certain information is calculated and output.

  • There are two different modes: normals only, and normals, tangents and binormals (basis).

• tangents

  • The list of tangent values to replace the calculated tangent values (these values will be used to calculate the other normals and binormals outputs. If left blank, the input primitives tangents are used).

• normals

  • The list of normal values to replace the calculated normal values (these values will be used to calculate the other tangents and binormals outputs. If left blank, the input primitives normals are used).

• binormals

  • The list of binormal values to replace the calculated binormal values (these values will be used to calculate the other tangents and normals outputs. If left blank, the input primitives binormals are used).

• default normal

  • The default normal value.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

• tangents

  • The list of tangent values of the input primitives.

• normals

  • The list of normal values of the input primitives.

• binormals

  • The list of binormal values of the input primitives.

Examples

• Curve point information

• Copy using vectors

• Loft along curve

Triangle centroids

Calculates the center of input triangles.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives (triangle centroids as points primitives).

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• Other names for this node include: PolyCentroids, Polygon centers.

Example(s)

• Triangle centroids

• Apply color by triangle (this particular example applies color based on distance from point)

Get UV

Gets UVs from mesh points.

Inputs

• default u

  • The value to output if there are no U values on an input point.

• default v

  • The value to output if there are no V values on an input point.

Outputs

• u

  • The list of U values of the points within an input mesh.

• v

  • The list of V values of the points within an input mesh.

Note(s)

• Currently only operates on PolyMesh primitives, not NURBS surfaces etc. If any primitive type other than a PolyMesh is input, the default u and default v values will be output.

• Other names for this node include: ExtractUV, Extract UVs.

Example(s)

• Using UVs to deform meshes

Curve to polyline

Subdivides curves into polylines.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• mode

  • The mode in which input curves are subdivided. This can be # of segments (divides the input curve into equal length segments), segment length (divides the input curve into segments of specified length), or approx segment length (divides the input curve into equal lengths closest to the specified approximate length).

• segments

  • The value that defines the number of segments the input curves are subdivided into when the mode input is set to # of primitives.

• length

  • The value that defines the length of the segments the input curves are subdivided into.

• accuracy

  • The value that defines the number of u coordinates sampled per segment.

• per order 2 segment

  • Sets whether to subdivide the existing segments of the input curves, or the curve as a whole.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

• u coordinates

  • The list of U coordinates where the curve was subdivided.

• curve lengths

  • The list of lengths of the subdivided curves (full curve lengths, not curve segment lengths).

Notes

• If the mode input is set to segment length and the input value does not evenly divide the curve, the last segment length will be the remainder.

• Other names for this node include: TessellateCurve, Tessellate curve, Redraw, and Divide curve.

Examples

• Curve to polyline
• Tessellate a polyline into line segments
• Tessellate a polyline into segments across the length of the full line

Extrude curve

Extrudes curves in a vector direction.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• extrusion

  • The vector value that defines the extent that the output NURBS surface primitive will be extruded.

• order

  • The value that defines the order of the output line. See NURBS surface for more information.

• number of spans

  • The number of spans that the output NURBS surface will be divided into.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• The geometry output of this node is a NURBS surface primitive type. In order to convert it to a PolyMesh primitive type use the Triangulate surface node.

• Other names for this node include: ExtrudeCurve.

Examples

• Extrude curve

Insert knot

Inserts a control point on a curve.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• u

  • The value that defines the u coordinate of where to insert a point in the curve.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• Very similar functionality to the Split curve node. Both nodes apply a point to a line, while this node will place a control point on that curve, where as the Split curve node will divide that curve into two separate primitives (or a single individual point).

• Other names for this node include: InsertKnot, Add point.

Example(s)

• Insert knot by distance

• Insert knot to create polyline

Join curves

Joins curve ends using a distance threshold.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• tolerance

  • The value that defines the maximum distance by which two curves will be joined.

• delete last point

  • Sets whether to delete the last point of every joined curve or not.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• The tolerance unit will be the set unit of the graph.

• Other names for this node include: JoinCurves, Merge curves, Connect curves, and Combine curves.

Example(s)

• Simple wave

• Select polygon edges

Points to curve

Creates a curve using input points.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• points per curve

  • The number of points that define a single curve. Multiple curves can be made from the same list of points by setting this input to a value lower than the number of input points.

• order

  • The value that defines the order of the output line. See NURBS curve for more information.

• keepIncomingGeo

  • Sets whether to keep the input primitives or not.

• beziers

  • Sets whether the output curve is a bezier curve or not.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Notes

• Other names for this node include: PointsToCurve and Create curve.

Examples

• Points to curve
• Spiral curve

Simplify curve

Simplifies input curves using an angle threshold.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• angle threshold

  • The value that defines the maximum angle from which a curve is simplified.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• Other names for this node include: SimplifyCurve, Redraw, and Reduce.

Example(s)

• Simplify curve

Split curve

Splits curves into parts, or extracts the splitting point.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• u

  • The value that defines the u coordinate of where to split the input curve.

• split points only

  • Sets whether to output only the splitting point or not.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• Very similar functionality to the Insert knot node. Both nodes apply a point to a line, where this node will divide a curve into two separate primitives (or a single point), whereas the Insert knot node will place a point on that curve.

• Other names for this node include: SplitCurve, Cut, and Carve.

Example(s)

• Split curve

• Split curve by length

Unroll curve

Unrolls curves along a chosen direction.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• origin

  • The vector value that defines the origin of the unrolled curve.

• direction

  • The vector value that defines the direction of the unrolled curve from the origin.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• Other names for this node include: UnrollCurve, Curve length.

Example(s)

• Approximate circumference of a circle

Boolean 2d paths

Performs 2D boolean operations on curves/polygons.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts multiple geometry connections.

• work plane

  • The work plane in which the 2D boolean operation will be performed in. This can be X=0, Y=0, or Z=0.

• pre-flatten

  • Flattens the input curves/polygons into the work plane defined by the work plane input before the 2D boolean operation.

• boolean type

  • Sets the type of 2D boolean operation to be performed. This can be intersect, union, difference, or xor.

• fill type

  • Sets the type of fill that is considered when the 2D boolean operation is performed. For more information visit: http://www.angusj.com/delphi/clipper/documentation/Docs/Units/ClipperLib/Types/PolyFillType.htm

• primary polygon

  • Sets which input curve/polygon is to be considered as the primary polygon in the 2D boolean operation. This can be the first or last of the list of input curves/polygons.

• primary role

  • Sets the role of the primary curve/polygon (as defined by the primary polygon input). This can be clip (the curve/polygon to operate with), or subject (the curve/polygon to operate on).

• close resulting curves

  • Sets whether to close the resulting curves/polygons after the 2D boolean operation.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output curve/polygon primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output curve/polygon primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output curve/polygon primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output curve/polygon primitives.

Note(s)

• 2D boolean operations are projected back to the selected work plane defined by the work plane input.

  • If pre-flatten is false, then all curves that are to be operated on need to be on the defined work plane. Otherwise the operation will fail, or curves/polygons will be excluded from the operation.

• Requires at least two curve/polygon input primitives.

• Other names for this node include: CurveBoolean, Curve boolean, and Polygon boolean.

Examples

• Boolean union curves
• Triangulate overlapping outlines

Offset 2d path

Offsets curves in the chosen workplane.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• work plane

  • The work plane in which the 2D offset operation will be performed in. This can be X=0, Y=0, or Z=0.

• pre-flatten

  • Flattens the input curves into the work plane defined by the work plane input before the 2D offset operation.

• offset

  • The distance the input curves will be offset.

• join

  • Sets the type of join that will be performed at the vertices of the 2D offset. This can be miter, square, round, or simple (none).

• miter limit

  • The distance limit before a miter join is made. If joins of an offset are beyond the limit, then a bevel join will be made at the limit value.

• arc precision

  • The level of precision of the round join offset. The closer to 0, the higher the precision of the rounded join.

• close resulting curves

  • Sets whether to close the resulting curves after the 2D offset operation.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output curve primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output curve primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output curve primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output curve primitives.

Notes

• Both the miter limit and arc precision inputs only affect the miter and round join types respectively and will only be available when those types are defined in the join input.

• Other names for this node include: OffsetCurve, Offset curve, and Offset polygon.

Examples

• Offset joins
• Filet using offset

Curve from surface

Extracts a curve from a NURBS surface using U or V coordinate values.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• location

  • The value that defines the coordinate of where to extract the curve from the input surface.

• along U

  • Sets whether to extract the curve from the surface’s u coordinate or not. If false, the node will use the v coordinate.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• Other names for this node include: ExtractCurve, Extract curve, Isoparm, and NURBS patch.

Example(s)

• Extract curve from surface

Set points

Sets the position of points using xyz values.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• x

  • The x value of the vector position to set input points to.

• y

  • The y value of the vector position to set input points to.

• z

  • The z value of the vector position to set input points to.

• mask

  • The list of boolean values that defines which input points to set to the vector as defined by the x, y, and z inputs. If empty, all input points will be set to the defined vector.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Notes

• Other names for this node include: SetPoints, and Set positions.

Examples

• Setting a point within a polyline
• Apply a trigonometric function to a line

Curve from surface

Extracts a curve from a NURBS surface using U or V coordinate values.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• location

  • The value that defines the coordinate of where to extract the curve from the input surface.

• along U

  • Sets whether to extract the curve from the surface’s u coordinate or not. If false, the node will use the v coordinate.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• Other names for this node include: ExtractCurve, Extract curve, Isoparm, and NURBS patch.

Example(s)

• Extract curve from surface

Loft

Creates lofted geometry between curves.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts multiple geometry connections.

• mode

  • Sets the mode in which input curves are lofted. This can be per geometry input (which lofts between curves from each separate geometry input), between geometry inputs (which lofts between curves in each geometry input), or all input curves (which lofts every input curve regardless of geometry input).

• loft type

  • Sets the type of loft that the node will output. This can be mesh or NURBS surface.

• per

  • The number of curves that define a single loft when the mode input is set to all input curves. Multiple lofts can be made from the same list of curves by setting this input to a multiple of the number of input curves. Setting this to 0 will loft all input curves.

• mesh smoothness

  • The amount of subdivision along the direction of input curves that have an order greater than 2 when the loft type input is set to mesh.

• weld

  • Sets whether to weld the resulting loft or not when the loft type input is set to mesh.

• interpolate

  • Sets whether to interpolate the resulting loft or not when the loft type input is set to NURBS surface.

• order U

  • The order (perpendicular to the input curves) of the resulting loft when the loft type input is set to NURBS surface.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• When the interpolate input is set to true, the resulting loft geometry will tightly follow the input curves. This will be more noticable when the order U input is greater than 2.

• Other names for this node include: Skin, and Revolve.

Examples

• Loft as NURBS surface
• Loft along curve

Split Surface

Splits NURBS surfaces along a U or V value.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• direction

  • Sets the direction within which to split the surface. This can be U or V.

• location

  • The value at which to split the surface. Accepts values from 0 - 1.

• discard

  • Sets the calculated primitive to delete. This can be none, first, or second.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• Other names for this node include: SplitPatch, Split patch, Cut, Nurbs, Carve.

Example(s)

• Split surface

Triangulate surface

Converts NURBS surfaces to meshes.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• mode

  • Sets the mode in which the quality of the resulting triangulated mesh is determined. This can be combine U & V quality or separate U & V quality.

• quality

  • The value that defines the quality for both U & V coordinates of the resulting triangulated mesh when mode is set to combine U & V quality.

• qualityU

  • The value that defines the quality for the U coordinate of the resulting triangulated mesh when mode is set to separate U & V quality.

• qualityV

  • The value that defines the quality for the U coordinate of the resulting triangulated mesh when mode is set to separate U & V quality.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• Other names for this node include: TesselatePatch, NURBS to polygon, NURBS patch to triangles, Mesh, Tessellate, and Convert.

Example(s)

• Triangulate a NURBS surface

• Smooth lofted mesh

Clean mesh

Attempts to clean up "dirty" polygonal geometry.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• nuke small triangles

  • Sets whether to delete small triangles or not. The area of the nuked triangles is set by the area threshold input.

• area threshold

  • The minimum area that determines if a triangle is nuked when nuke small triangles is set to true.

• nuke orphan points

  • Sets whether to delete points not associated with any triangles or not.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• Other names for this node include: PolyClean, Delete zero area, and Clean poly.

Example(s)

• Clean mesh

Combine meshes

Combines meshes into a single mesh.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts multiple geometry connections.

• group behavior

  • Sets how input groups will behave. This can be exclude meshes from groups (will not combine meshes within input groups), include meshes from groups (will combine meshes within all input groups), or combine per top-level group (will only combine meshes within each input group).

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Notes

• If you wish to treat multiple primitives as a single primitive (whilst preserving individual primitives), use the group and ungroup nodes.

• This node is a destructive operation if there are more than one primitive in it's geometry input.

• If the input meshes have different material properties, the combined mesh will take on the properties of the last input mesh primitive.

• Other names for this node include: CombineMeshes, Merge meshes, Unify meshes, and Join.

Examples

• Combine meshes
• Point grids

Extrude mesh

Extrude all input faces.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• distance

  • The distance input faces will be extruded by.

• keep

  • Sets which faces of the output primitives to keep. This can be all ( both the input faces as well as extruded faces and sides), sides, extruded cap (only the extruded faces), caps (only the input and extruded faces), or sides & extruded cap (the extruded sides and caps, but not the input faces).

• flip direction

  • Sets whether to flip the direction of the extrusion.

• flip normals

  • Sets whether to flip the normals of the output primitives.

Outputs

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

  Note(s)

• Other names for this node include: Extrude.

Examples

• Extrude mesh
• Weld angles
• Wave extrude

Flip mesh normals

Flips the normals of all input polygons.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• Other names for this node include: ReverseMesh, Reverse Mesh, and Invert.

Example(s)

• Flip mesh normals

• Loft along curve w/ cap

Mesh boundary

Creates polyline curves around all mesh boundaries.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

• boundary mask

  • The list of boolean values identifying if a vertex was used to create a curve or not.

• boundary indices

  • The list of indices of the vertexes that define the resulting boundary.

Note(s)

• An example of an instance where a mesh boundary will not be made (and therefore will turn a false result in the boolean mask output) might be where mesh edges/boundaries are welded together (and thus not a boundary) or, a primitive type other than a PolyMesh is input into this node.

• Other names for this node include: MeshBoundary, Edges, Contour, and Border.

Example(s)

• Polyline box

• Loft along curve w/ cap

• Isolate face holes and boundary

Unweld vertices

Splits shared triangle vertices on polygonal meshes.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

  Notes

• Other names for this node include: UnweldVertices, Hard edges, and Facet.

Examples

• Weld angles

• Unwelded v. welded number of points

Weld Vertices

Welds overlapping polygon triangle edges based on an angle threshold.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• radius

  • The radius that determines if adjacent vertices will be welded together.

• angle threshold

  • The minimum angle that determines if adjacent vertices will be welded together.

• average position

  • Sets whether to average the position of welded vertices or not.

• nuke ghost triangles

  • Sets whether to delete triangles with zero area (that can often occur by the weld). This is done after the weld.

• nuke orphan points

  • Sets whether to delete points not associated with any triangles. This is done after the weld.

• mask

  • The list of boolean values that defines which vertices to weld together. If empty, all vertices will be welded together.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Notes

• Other names for this node include: WeldVertices, Smooth normals, Merge points, and Weld polygons.

Examples

• Weld angles

• Unwelded v. welded number of points

Triangulate 2d path

Converts 2D curves into a triangulated mesh in a chosen workplane.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• work plane

  • The work plane in which the triangulation will be performed in. This can be X=0, Y=0, or Z=0.

• pre-flatten

  • Flattens the input curves into the work plane defined by the work plane input before triangulation.

• library

  • Sets the triangulation library to triangulate input curves. This can be Poly2Tri (quicker) or Triangle (slower, but offers triangle refinement and smoothing).

• input handling

  • Sets how the input curves are handled within the triangulation. This can be first curve is outline, others are holes (the first input curve is the outline and following input curves are holes within the resulting mesh) or all curves are outlines (all input curves are outlines and no holes are made).

• make convex hull

  • Sets whether the resulting triangulation is a convex hull of the input curves or not.

• algorithm

  • Sets the algorithm to use for triangulation while the library input is set to Triangle. This can be sweepline, Dwyer, or incremental.

• refine

  • Sets whether or not to manually refine the triangles in the resulting triangulation when the library input is set to Triangle.

• max area

  • The maximum area of triangles in the resulting triangulation when the library input is set to Triangle and the refine input is set to true.

• min angle

  • The minimum angle of triangles in the resulting triangulation when the library input is set to Triangle and the refine input is set to true.

• max angle

  • The maximum angle of triangles in the resulting triangulation when the library input is set to Triangle and the refine input is set to true.

• smoothing

  • The amount of smoothing of triangle layout after triangulation defined between 0 and 100.

• inner points

  • A list of extra internal points that will force the creation of vertices at these points.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Notes

• The first curve is outline, others are holes setting of the input handling input results in a single primitive whereas the all curves are outlines setting results in a primitive for each input curve.

• If the input curve is irregular and the resulting triangulate mesh results in “zero area triangles”, it is recommended to use the Clean mesh node to fix the mesh.

• Other names for this node include: TriangulateCurve, Triangulate curve, Tessellate, Mesh, and Path to mesh.

Examples

• Triangulate an outline

Triangulate surface

Converts NURBS surfaces to meshes.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• mode

  • Sets the mode in which the quality of the resulting triangulated mesh is determined. This can be combine U & V quality or separate U & V quality.

• quality

  • The value that defines the quality for both U & V coordinates of the resulting triangulated mesh when mode is set to combine U & V quality.

• qualityU

  • The value that defines the quality for the U coordinate of the resulting triangulated mesh when mode is set to separate U & V quality.

• qualityV

  • The value that defines the quality for the U coordinate of the resulting triangulated mesh when mode is set to separate U & V quality.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• Other names for this node include: TesselatePatch, NURBS to polygon, NURBS patch to triangles, Mesh, Tessellate, and Convert.

Example(s)

• Triangulate a NURBS surface

• Smooth lofted mesh

Loft

Creates lofted geometry between curves.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts multiple geometry connections.

• mode

  • Sets the mode in which input curves are lofted. This can be per geometry input (which lofts between curves from each separate geometry input), between geometry inputs (which lofts between curves in each geometry input), or all input curves (which lofts every input curve regardless of geometry input).

• loft type

  • Sets the type of loft that the node will output. This can be mesh or NURBS surface.

• per

  • The number of curves that define a single loft when the mode input is set to all input curves. Multiple lofts can be made from the same list of curves by setting this input to a multiple of the number of input curves. Setting this to 0 will loft all input curves.

• mesh smoothness

  • The amount of subdivision along the direction of input curves that have an order greater than 2 when the loft type input is set to mesh.

• weld

  • Sets whether to weld the resulting loft or not when the loft type input is set to mesh.

• interpolate

  • Sets whether to interpolate the resulting loft or not when the loft type input is set to NURBS surface.

• order U

  • The order (perpendicular to the input curves) of the resulting loft when the loft type input is set to NURBS surface.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• When the interpolate input is set to true, the resulting loft geometry will tightly follow the input curves. This will be more noticable when the order U input is greater than 2.

• Other names for this node include: Skin, and Revolve.

Examples

• Loft as NURBS surface
• Loft along curve

Set points

Sets the position of points using xyz values.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• x

  • The x value of the vector position to set input points to.

• y

  • The y value of the vector position to set input points to.

• z

  • The z value of the vector position to set input points to.

• mask

  • The list of boolean values that defines which input points to set to the vector as defined by the x, y, and z inputs. If empty, all input points will be set to the defined vector.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Notes

• Other names for this node include: SetPoints, and Set positions.

Examples

• Setting a point within a polyline
• Apply a trigonometric function to a line

Mesh area

Calculates the area of polygons.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

Outputs

• triangle areas

  • The list of areas for individual triangles of the input PolyMesh primitives.

• total area

  • The total area of all triangles of the input PolyMesh primitives.

Note(s)

• Other names for this node include: PolyArea, Poly area, Triangle area, and Mesh surface.

Example(s)

• Calculating volume

Triangle centroids

Calculates the center of input triangles.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives (triangle centroids as points primitives).

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• Other names for this node include: PolyCentroids, Polygon centers.

Example(s)

• Triangle centroids

• Apply color by triangle (this particular example applies color based on distance from point)

Normals

Calculates the normals, tangents and binormals of primitives.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• mode

  • Sets the mode in which certain information is calculated and output.

  • There are two different modes: normals only, and normals, tangents and binormals (basis).

• tangents

  • The list of tangent values to replace the calculated tangent values (these values will be used to calculate the other normals and binormals outputs. If left blank, the input primitives tangents are used).

• normals

  • The list of normal values to replace the calculated normal values (these values will be used to calculate the other tangents and binormals outputs. If left blank, the input primitives normals are used).

• binormals

  • The list of binormal values to replace the calculated binormal values (these values will be used to calculate the other tangents and normals outputs. If left blank, the input primitives binormals are used).

• default normal

  • The default normal value.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

• tangents

  • The list of tangent values of the input primitives.

• normals

  • The list of normal values of the input primitives.

• binormals

  • The list of binormal values of the input primitives.

Examples

• Curve point information

• Copy using vectors

• Loft along curve

Delete points

Deletes points using a mask or index list.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• mask

  • The list of boolean values that defines which points to delete from input primitives.

• index list

  • The list of indices that defines which points to delete from input primitives.

• invert

  • Sets whether to invert the selection of deleted points or not.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• This node will delete points from almost any input primitives with some exceptions:

  • NURBS surfaces.

  • Polylines/NURBS curves where the resulting curve will be left with only a single point.

• Other names for this node include: DeletePoints, Erase, and Nuke.

Example(s)

• Delete points with a boolean pattern

Get Points

Gets the points of input primitives using a mask.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• mask

  • The boolean list that defines which points to keep and which points to discard.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output points primitive.

• points

  • The list of points of the output points primitive.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• Other names for this node include: ExtractPoints, Extract points, Isoparm, and NURBS.

Example(s)

• Get a point along a line

• Get points from 2 lines

Set point weight

Sets point weights.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• weights

  • The list of float values that defines the weight of points in a NURBS primitive (curves and surfaces).

• default weight

  • The weight value that defines the weight of all points when no data is connected to the weights input.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• Sets the weight value of input geometry points based on input data values for use in NURBS curves and surfaces.

• The weight value’s effect exhibits an exponential decay pattern as the ratio between points increases. For example, the difference between a weight ratio of 0 and 2 is less than twice the difference between a weight ratio of 0 and 1.

  • For more information on NURBS curve point weights, see: NURBS curves

• If default weight is in use all points will have the same weight so the exact value is irrelevant unless set to 0 in which case no geometry will be generated.

• Other names for this node include: SetPointWeight, Edit point weight, and Weight.

Example(s)

• Adjusting the weight of a control point in a NURBS curve

• Adjusting multiple control points in a NURBS curve

• Adjusting the weight of a control point in a NURBS surface

Set points

Sets the position of points using xyz values.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• x

  • The x value of the vector position to set input points to.

• y

  • The y value of the vector position to set input points to.

• z

  • The z value of the vector position to set input points to.

• mask

  • The list of boolean values that defines which input points to set to the vector as defined by the x, y, and z inputs. If empty, all input points will be set to the defined vector.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Notes

• Other names for this node include: SetPoints, and Set positions.

Examples

• Setting a point within a polyline
• Apply a trigonometric function to a line

Delete primitives

Deletes primitives using a mask or index list.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• mask

  • The list of boolean values that defines which primitives to delete.

• index list

  • The list of indices that defines which primitives to delete.

• invert

  • Sets whether to invert the selection of deleted primitives or not.

• keep points

  • Sets whether to keep the points of deleted primitives or not.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• Other names for this node include: DeletePrimitives, Erase, and Nuke.

Example(s)

• Delete primitives with a boolean pattern

• Isolate face holes & boundary

Get primitive

Gets primitives using input indices.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• index

  • The index value that defines which primitive to get/output from the list of input primitives.

• invert

  • Sets whether to invert the selection of output primitives or not.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• Other names for this node include: GetPrimitive, Delete, Isolate, and Choose.

Example(s)

• Isolate a primitive

• Remove first and last primitives of a list

Group

Groups primitives into a “group” primitive type.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts multiple geometry connections.

• group name

  • The name to give to the group made by the node.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Notes

• Group primitives can be ungrouped with the ungroup node.

• Other names for this node include: GroupPrimitives, Group primitives, and Assemble.

Examples

• Hexagon grid

Ungroup

Ungroups “group” primitives.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• mode

  • Sets the mode in which group primitives are ungrouped. This can be flatten whole hierarchy (which ungroups all groups, even groups within other groups) or ungroup one level (which only ungroups the first layer of groups, any group within another group is not ungrouped).

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Notes

• Primitives can be grouped together with the group node.

• Other names for this node include: UngroupPrimitives, Ungroup primitives, Disassemble, and Split group.

Examples

• Hexagon grid

Reverse primitive list

Reverses the order of primitives.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• Other names for this node include: ReversePrimitiveList.

Example(s)

• Isolate both ends of a primitive list

• Reverse stacking order of primitives

Shift primitive list

Shifts the primitive order.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• Other names for this node include: ShiftPrimitiveList.

Example(s)

• Exclude any 2 neighboring primitives

• Shift primitive stacking order

Boolean 3D geometry

Performs boolean operations on 3D geometry.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts multiple geometry connections.

• operation type

  • Sets the type of boolean operation to perform on input geometry. This can be: Union, Subtraction, Reverse subtraction, Intersection, or XOR.

• weld

  • Sets whether to pre-weld input geometry or not.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• This node specifically operates on PolyMesh type primitives. Therefore there are a couple things to keep in mind to get consistent results when using this node:

  • Avoid coplanar faces

    • Specifically this means geometry that is being operated on has faces that are within the same plane as each other (one example may be when unioning two boxes that have been aligned directly next to each other, where one side of each box touches a side of another). Often stretching an input geometry (with either the transform or smart size nodes) so that there is a clear overlap, can help with more consistent behavior.

  • Edges and vertices,

    • A mesh 3D boolean operation utilizes vertices and edges of input meshes to perform operations. Therefore, it is often useful to pay attention to where particular geometries are positioned. Say for example we have a box that is subtracting from another box where the position of the subtracting box is positioned so that it lies directly in the middle of a triangle of the first box's mesh. In this instance, there are no intersecting edges or vertices of either mesh, thus making it difficult to calculate consistently.

• This node is a destructive operation.

• Other names for this node include: MeshBoolean, Mesh boolean, 3D boolean, and CSG.

Example(s)

• Boolean 3D geometry

Align

Aligns input primitives to each other.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts multiple geometry connections.

• mode

  • Sets the mode in which input primitives are aligned. This can be between primitive connections (which will align input geometry to the primitives within the first geometry connection) or all input primitives (which will align input geometry to the first primitive).

• x align target

  • Sets what boundary/value that primitives are aligned by in the x-axis. This can be None (which will not align primitives in the x-axis), min, centroid, or max.

• x source

  • Sets what source that primitives are aligned to in the x-axis. This can be first connection or primitive (as defined by the mode input), average of all (which takes the bounds of all input primitives), or value (which aligns to a particular value rather than the bounds of primitives).

• of x source

  • Sets what boundary/value that primitives are aligned to in the x-axis. This can be min, centroid, or max.

• x value

  • The value that primitives are aligned to in the x-axis when the x source input is set to value.

• x offset

  • The value that defines how much to offset primitives from the alignment in the x-axis.

• y align target

  • Sets what boundary/value that primitives are aligned by in the y-axis. This can be None (which will not align primitives in the y-axis), min, centroid, or max.

• y source

  • Sets what source that primitives are aligned to in the y-axis. This can be first connection or primitive (as defined by the mode input), average of all (which takes the bounds of all input primitives), or value (which aligns to a particular value rather than the bounds of primitives).

• of y source

  • Sets what boundary/value that primitives are aligned to in the y-axis. This can be min, centroid, or max.

• y value

  • The value that primitives are aligned to in the y-axis when the y source input is set to value.

• y offset

  • The value that defines what to offset primitives from the alignment in the y-axis.

• z align target

  • Sets what boundary/value that primitives are aligned by in the z-axis. This can be None (which will not align primitives in the z-axis), min, centroid, or max.

• z source

  • Sets what source that primitives are aligned to in the z-axis. This can be first connection or primitive (as defined by the mode input), average of all (which takes the bounds of all input primitives), or value (which aligns to a particular value rather than the bounds of primitives).

• of z source

  • Sets what boundary/value that primitives are aligned to in the z-axis. This can be min, centroid, or max.

• z value

  • The value that primitives are aligned to in the z-axis when the z source input is set to value.

• z offset

  • The value that defines what to offset primitives from the alignment in the z-axis.

• first object

  • Sets what to do with the first geometry connection/primitive. This can be keep position, include in align, or delete.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• When the mode input is set to between primitive connections the primitives in each input geometry connection are treated as a group.

Examples

• Align geometries

Mirror

Mirrors geometry across a selected axis.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• axis

  • Sets the axis in which input primitives are mirrored across. This can be x, y, or z.

• mode

  • Sets the position of the mirror axis in which input primitives are mirrored. This can be around min, around center, around max, or around pivot value (which sets a custom mirror axis).

• pivot

  • The vector value that defines the mirror plane when the mode input is set to around pivot value.

• keep input geo

  • Sets whether to keep the input primitives or not.

• combine result

  • Sets how resulting meshes are combined. This can be leave as is (will not combine meshes), combine pairs of meshes (will combine an individual PolyMesh primitive with its mirrored pair), or combine all meshes.

• mask

  • The list of boolean values that defines which primitives to mirror. If empty, all primitives will be mirrored.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• The mode inputs first three options (around min, around center, and around max) set the mirror axis position at the bounds of the input primitives.

• Mirrored primitives will also have their UV’s (NURBS curves and surfaces) and normals mirrored as well.

Example(s)

• Mirroring geometry
• Bifold opening

Smart size

Rescales geometry while preserving features within set zones.

Inputs

• geometry

  • Accepts a single geometry connection (unless the SHIFT key is held).

• axis

  • Sets the axis in which input primitives are scaled. This can be x, y, or z.

• size

  • The size in which input primitives are scaled to.

• reset size

  • Resets the size input back to the input primitives original size.

• scale around

  • Sets the bounds which input primitives are scaled around. This can be min, center, and max.

• lower lock zone

  • The lower lock zone coordinate (0 to 1) in which input primitive features are preserved.

• upper lock zone

  • The upper lock zone coordinate (0 to 1) in which input primitive features are preserved.

• mask

  • A list of boolean values that defines which input primitive points are scaled. If empty, all input primitive points will be scaled.

Outputs

• geometry

  • Output primitives.

• points

  • The list of points of the output primitives.

• points.x

  • The list of x values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.y

  • The list of y values of the points of the output primitives.

• points.z

  • The list of z values of the points of the output primitives.

Note(s)

• The scaling operation of the node works by only scaling the parts of the input primitives that are not within the range as defined by the upper and lower lock zones. The parts of the input geometry that are outside of the specified range will have their features preserved.

• The lock zones are specified as a percentage (0 to 1) of the input primitives bounds. The lower lock zone is taken from the minimum bounds of the axis specified by the axis input, whereas the upper lock zone is taken from the maximum bounds.

  • Therefore the sum of both the upper and lower lock zones cannot be greater or equal to 1 so that these zones do not overlap.

• Other names for this node include: SmartSize.