The Node Helper is used to define an object in your 3ds
Max scene. This Node object can be any 3D object in a 3ds Max scene including
splines, lights, helpers, etc. Several other operators can work with the
output data streams supplied by this 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 override the Pick
Node option in the Node rollout to define the chosen object in your 3ds
Max scene.
Position - (Position) This output data stream provides
the XYZ positional data for the selected Node to other operators.
Spin- (Spin) This output data stream provides the rotational data
for the selected Node to other operators.
Scale - (Scale) This output data stream provides the Scaling data
for the selected Node to other operators.
Velocity - (Velocity) This output data stream provides the current
velocity for the selected Node to other operators.
Node - (Node) This output data stream passes the entire node object
to other operators for further usage.
Alignment - (Alignment) This output data stream provides the Local
Axis alignment data for the selected Node to other operators. By default,
the positive X-Axis is used to determine which way the selected object
is facing and this information is passed to other operators.
Pick Node - Click this button to select any object (including
Lights, Cameras, Helpers, etc.) from the scene. The selected object will
then supply all relevant output data stream information for other operators
to use. thinkingParticles will use the information supplied by the object
on a frame-by-frame basis, so you might want to animate, scale or rotate
this object to drive other parameters in your particle system.