DrawPath node

This node allows drawing new lines in the viewport starting from other lines of the parent path, as well as modifying them by moving the starting points and redrawing the line. For example, the user can draw branches or leaves.

To draw lines, the left connector of the Parent path must be connected to the parent Path or DrawPath nodes.

Parent paths

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

Parameter: Path position

This parameter allows changing 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.

Draw on Path button

Turns on the mode of drawing new lines.

Options button

Opens the Drawing options node. This node is global for the entire GrowFX object. It can be closed, but the settings are saved.

Move points button

Turns on the mode of moving points.

Redraw button

Turns on the mode of redrawing lines.

Rotate start vector button

Turns on the mode of rotating starting vectors.

Erase points button

Turns on the mode of erasing starting and drawn points.

Delete all points button

Deletes all drawn points.

Length path

Sets the maximum length of the path lines.

Length < Drawing length

When on, the length of the generated line will be limited to the length of the drawn line.

Orientation of lines

In the drop-down list, you can choose the type of orientation:

• By mouse direction - If you're drawing leaves, this is the best option. The leaves will always face the direction from which the lines were drawn.
• X orientation - In this mode, the X axis is directed towards the parent path. This is similar to using Path Distributor with Angular type and some Angle divergence value, with Angle bend = 0.
• Y orientation - In this mode, the Y axis is directed towards the parent path. This is similar to using Path Distributor with Circular type and some Angle bend value.

Position of lines

In the drop-down list, you can choose the type of position on the parent path:

• By length - The starting point is fixed at the specified distance from the start of the parent path. When the length of the parent path changes, the starting point does not move, and will disappear when the length of the parent path becomes less than the starting point's distance.
• By percent - The starting point is fixed at the length of the parent path in percentage when it was drawn. When the length of the parent path line changes, the starting point moves according to its position in percentage.
• By index & offset - This is similar to By length mode, but can be calculated faster. But the difference is that when the step of the parent path changes, the starting point can change its position.

Parameter: Length

The right connector allows to get the current length value for each line of this path. This value can be passed directly to any parameter, or through an influencing node, such as Affect or Math nodes.

For more information, see Examples of using Parameter: Length.

Offset

Specifies the offset of the starting point from the parent path line. This works correctly for both X orientation and Y orientation modes.

Wire color

Specifies the color of the path lines in the Viewport, when the Lines mode is active.

Child distributors

The right connector allows to connect the Distributors nodes for child pathlines. For example, this allows to create branches on the lines of this path.

Visiblity

When off, path lines are created but not displayed in this model, and the radii of some Mesh Builders are also calculated, but meshes are not generated.

Like the Path node, this node has 3 connectors for modifying directions, mesh building, and modifying directions at the mesh level.

The left connector allows to connect the Direction Modifiers nodes.

The right connector allows to connect the After Mesh Modifiers nodes.

The bottom connector allows to connect the Mesh Builders nodes.

Drawing options node

This node provides access to settings that are used only during drawing, editing or erasing. This is a global node for the current GrowFX object, and the data is saved in the max and gfx files.

Min step

Minimum step when drawing lines. Default = 5.0.

Keep accurate step

When on, the line is drawn with the exact step specified in Min step.

Update interactively

When on, the GrowFX object is updated interactively while drawing the line.

Move Falloff

The distance in current units from the moving point to the point that does not move. Used in the point moving mode. Default = 30.0.

Drawing on surface group

These settings control the drawing mode with attraction to the surface.

Attract to surface

Enables the mode of attracting lines to the surface. When picking an attraction object, this mode is enabled automatically.

Distance above surface

Specifies the distance of the line above the surface when attracting. Default = 2.0.

Gain radius

Specifies the radius of smooth approach to the surface if the line is far from the surface. This can occur at the beginning of drawing, or if the line left the object surface and then returned. When leaving the surface, the Gain radius is smoothly restored, so the attraction of lines is smoother with large values of this parameter. Default = 30.0.

Additional options in the Sidebar

Percentage of paths

Specifies the percentage of visible lines in the viewport.

Show points of path

Displays all points of current path in the viewport.

Show vectors of path

Displays vectors directions and orientations of all path points.