The SurfacePos Helper is designed to read in a selected
object's surface data so that it can be used to place or direct particles
in relation to the surface itself. This can be exceptionally powerful
since you can affect particle behavior with objects even if they are animated
themselves. So getting particles to "stick" to the surface of
a deforming piece of geometry is now possible using the SurfacePos Helper.
ON - (Bool) This input data
stream determines whether the operator is considered 'on' or 'off.' You
can connect other operators to this input channel such as a Bool
Helper to activate/deactivate the whole operator.
Time - (Time) This input data stream is used to define the local
time for the operator when the user wants to override the default system
time.
Node - (Node) This input data stream is used to pull the position
data from the selected object. This data stream MUST
be connected and will be highlighted yellow if it is not.
Particle - (Particle) This input data stream reads in a selected
particle Group that is to interact or be placed on the surface of the
selected node.
Face ID - (Integer) This input data stream reads in an integer
value that represents a single Face ID within the input Node. Be aware
that you can use the Vertex, Edge or Face methods to further control the
distribution of particles on the Node surface.
Face Coordinates - (Vector) This input data stream reads in a
positional value from the UDeflector
Operator. This allows you to selectively position particles like arrows
being stuck on the surface, etc.
Alignment - (Alignment) This input data stream reads in an alignment
value from a particle Group or other operator and uses it's value to interpolate
the X, Y and Z axis direction components for use in other operators.
UVW - (Vector) sets the UVW coordinates to be used on the input
Node that you want to use for the position data when the Face option is
selected.
Particle Shape - (Particle) can be used instead of the Node input
to supply surface data or shape information by connecting a particle group
to this port
Position - (Position) This
output data stream passes the positional data from the surface to other
operators and rules.
Normal - (Normal) This output data stream sends the selected Node's
surface normal information for use by other operators and rules.
Alignment - (Alignment) This output data stream provides the alignment
of the particles for other operators and rules to act upon.
UVW - (Vector) This output data stream sends out the UVW mapping
vector information from the selected Node to other operators and rules.
Vertex - Select the Vertex option to send the vertex positions
for the input Node object.
Edge - Select the Edge option to send the edge positions for the
input Node object. Be aware that this operates on ALL edges, both hidden
and visible.
Face - Select the Face option when you want to define specific
parts of the input Node object for the position data.
Mat. ID - This spinner sets the Material ID for the faces of the
input Node that you want to use for position data when the Face option
is selected.
Sm. Group - Use this spinner to set the smoothing group for the
faces of the input Node you want to use for position data when the Face
option is selected.
UVW Channel - Use this spinner to set the UVW Channel on the input
Node that you want to use for the position data when the Face option is
selected.
Position Subsample - check this option to enhance temporal sample of particle postions. This is usually needed on fast moving emitters.
Random Seed - This spinner sets the default seed value
used to create the random number.