GrowFX 2.2.0 User Manual

Custom Mesh Cloud node

This node generates attractor points inside the volume of a custom mesh object for the Space Colonization node.

It does not create branches or meshes by itself. Instead, it creates a cloud of points inside the selected mesh volume, which can then be used by the Space Colonization node as growth targets.

This node is useful when branching should follow a specific custom volume or silhouette that cannot be described well by simple primitive clouds such as Sphere Cloud or Box Cloud.

Output

The right connector outputs the generated attractor points for the Space Colonization node.

Mesh object

This group is used to select the source mesh object that defines the cloud volume.

The attractor points are generated inside the volume of the selected mesh object.

Pick object button

Allows picking the mesh object directly from the scene.

Object

Displays the currently selected source object.

This object is used only as a volume for generating attractor points. It is not converted into branches or meshes by itself.

Algorithm

Specifies the point distribution algorithm used to generate attractor points inside the mesh volume.

Hexagonal Close Packing - Produces a dense and regular distribution of points.
Face-Centered Cubic - Produces another dense lattice distribution with a slightly different structure.
Poisson Disk Sampling - Produces a more natural and less regular distribution of points.
Cubic lattice - Produces points on a simple cubic grid.
One point - Creates only one attractor point inside the mesh volume.

Density points

Specifies the density of attractor points inside the mesh volume.

This parameter supports a Curve, which allows changing the density value through influencing nodes in the same way as in other cloud nodes.

Higher values create more attractor points, which usually leads to more detailed branching but also increases calculation time.

Randomize

Adds random displacement to the generated attractor points.

When set to zero, the points follow the selected algorithm more strictly. Higher values make the cloud less regular and more natural.

The random offset is applied only if the resulting point still remains inside the mesh volume.

Override parameters

Min dist

When enabled, overrides the Min distance parameter in the connected Space Colonization node for this cloud.

This allows using a different minimum attractor consumption distance for this cloud only.

Max dist

When enabled, overrides the Max distance parameter in the connected Space Colonization node for this cloud.

This allows using a different maximum attractor search distance for this cloud only.

Note: This node generates points inside the volume of the selected mesh object, not on its surface. If you need branching to follow a surface-like guide, the result may depend strongly on the thickness and shape of the mesh volume.

Note: The selected object should contain a valid closed mesh volume. Open or poorly formed meshes can produce incomplete or unexpected attractor point distributions.

Note: Poisson Disk Sampling usually produces the most natural-looking point distribution, while lattice-based algorithms are more regular and can be useful when a more structured branching pattern is needed.