Path distributor node

This distributor node generates new pathlines from the parent pathlines, and can be used to create tree branches at any level.

Parent paths

The left connector allows to connect the Path node from Child distributors connector.

Levels

This parameter sets the number of nesting levels of the starting paths. For example, if you set the value to 3, a three-level twig structure will appear.

Parameter: Level

The right connector allows to get the current level value for each starting line.

This value can be passed directly to any parameter, or through an influencing node, such as Affect or Math nodes.

The original value range from 1 to Levels value.

For example, you can create an affect node to the branch radius of the Mesh builder. And the branches on the first level will have a bigger radius, than the branches on the last level.

For more information, see Example of using Parameter: Level.

Parameter: Path position

This is perhaps the most important parameter that allows you to change branches depending on their position on the parent path.

The right connector allows to get the current path position value for each starting line.

The original value range from 0 to 100%.

For example, it can help to create long branches at the beginning of the trunk and short branches at the end.

For more information, see Example of using Parameter: Path position.

Density

Specifies the number of the appeared lines at the distance Unit Calc in the Preference Parameters rollout.

The connector allows to connect the Curve node to control the density along the parental line.

Chaos dens.%

Example: Density = 10, Chaos dens.% = 50, so the density varies from 5 to 10.

Turn axis

The main starting vector for the start of paths is directed along the parental line. This parameter shows at what angle the vector will turn for the next vector.

Range parameters group

Allows the user to set the start and end positions for distribution of branches on the trunk or on the parental branches.

Start %

Start position in percent where branches start to distribute on the parent path.

Start absolute

Distance to the point where branches start to distribute on the path in the current 3ds Max^® units.

Start instantly

When on, branches start to distribute instantly at the starting position.

End %

End position in percent where branches stop to distribute on the parent path.

End absolute

Distance to the end point of distribution of branches on the path in the current 3ds Max^® units.

Use Last Level

When on, only the last level of parent path lines will be used. See the Levels parameter in Path distributor node and Path position distributor node.

How Range parameters works:

Distributor in point parameters

For a detailed description of these parameters, see the Distributor node.