GrowFX 2.2.0 User Manual
GrowFX Reference node
This node allows referencing another GrowFX object from the current node graph.
It is useful when you create one GrowFX object, fully set it up, make only the important controls available through Public Parameter nodes, and then create other GrowFX objects based on it while changing only those selected values, such as the height of a tree, the length or width of leaves, turning leaves or fruits on or off, etc.
The referenced GrowFX object acts as the source setup. The GrowFX Reference node creates an internal copy of this setup and displays the parameters made available through Public Parameter nodes in the current object.
Pick GrowFX Object
Click this, and then select another GrowFX object in the scene.
[None]
Displays the name of the referenced GrowFX object.
If no object is selected, [None] is displayed and no referenced parameters are available.
After a GrowFX object is selected, all supported parameters made available through Public Parameter nodes in the referenced object appear in the GrowFX Reference node.
The names of these parameters are taken from the names of the corresponding Public Parameter nodes in the source object. Changing these values in the GrowFX Reference node affects only the current referenced copy and does not change the original GrowFX object.
Note: The GrowFX Reference node should reference an original GrowFX object, not another GrowFX object that is already based on a GrowFX Reference node. Nested GrowFX Reference setups are not supported.
To create several variations, create multiple GrowFX objects with GrowFX Reference nodes that point to the same source object.
Note: This node does not automatically expose all parameters of the referenced GrowFX object. Only parameters explicitly made available through Public Parameter nodes become available here.
Note: If one Public Parameter node in the source object controls several parameters through the node graph, the corresponding parameter in the GrowFX Reference node controls the same setup in the referenced copy.
Exposing parameters from the source object
To make a parameter available in the GrowFX Reference node, create a Public Parameter node in the source GrowFX object and connect it to the parameter that should be controlled.
The Public Parameter node can also be used as part of a larger node graph. For example, one Public Parameter node can drive several parameters directly, or through other nodes such as a Math node. When this setup is used through a GrowFX Reference node, the same exposed value controls the copied graph in the same way.
The name of the Public Parameter node becomes the name of the corresponding parameter in the GrowFX Reference node. You can rename the Public Parameter node in the source object to change how this parameter appears in referenced GrowFX objects.
When a GrowFX object is selected, the GrowFX Reference node creates parameters from the Public Parameter nodes of the source object. Their initial values are taken from the current values of those Public Parameter nodes.
After the parameters are created, each GrowFX Reference node stores its own local parameter values. This allows several referenced objects to use the same source object while having different variations.
Updating and resetting a GrowFX Reference node
The GrowFX Reference node has additional commands in the node context menu.
Update Structure from Source
Updates the internal referenced structure from the source GrowFX object.
Use this command after adding, removing, or changing nodes or Public Parameter nodes in the source object. Existing local parameter values in the GrowFX Reference node are preserved where possible.
Reset Parameters to Defaults
Resets the parameters of the GrowFX Reference node to the current values of the corresponding Public Parameter nodes in the source object.
This is useful when you want to discard local parameter overrides without removing and reconnecting the referenced object.
Note: Removing the connection to the source object clears the referenced setup and removes the exported parameters from the GrowFX Reference node.
Note: A common workflow is to create one fully configured GrowFX object, make only a few important controls available through Public Parameter nodes, and then create other GrowFX objects that reference it through the GrowFX Reference node.