Daemons - DSpline

Owned by thomas (Unlicensed)
Last updated: 28 Jul, 2015 by Alex Ribao
3 min read

This daemon creates a force field along a customizable path. The path can be created in RealFlow's viewport directly, imported as a SVG, or copied from an already existing → spline node. The spline's viewport representation is controlled with the → “Display Spline” panel. We also recommend enabling the → “Display Force Field” option for a realtime view of the daemon's forces.




Affect

With “Force” it takes a little time to display the daemon's full influence and the result is a curved stream of particles. “Velocity” directly affects the particles from the very beginning without any delay or acceleration, and you will get a linear particle stream. “Velocity” is not available for rigid/soft bodies.

Vortex strength

Here you can enter a global multiplier for the spline's “@ CP vortex” values. Positive values create a clockwise rotation, negative settings create a counter-clockwise rotation around the spline's path.

Axial strength

Here you can enter a global multiplier for the spline's “@ CP axial” values. Positive values create an attraction effect, negative settings create a repulsion.

Radial strength

Here you can enter a global multiplier for the spline's “@ CP radial” values. Positive values create an attraction to the spline's control points, negative settings create a repulsion effect.

Close spline

This option creates a connection between the spline's end points.

Reverse spline

If you want to flip the control points' order please activate the checkbox. The control points' indices can be displayed under Node Params > Display Spline > Show CP indexes, but only in “EDIT” mode which is indicated by a yellow frame around the viewport.

Copy spline

It is possible to transfer already existing splines to a “DSpline” node:

  • Click on the “Copy spline...” button.
  • Select a node from the list.
  • The control points and tangents will be used to draw the daemon's path.
EDIT

A click on this button enables the “Edit” mode, indicated by a yellow frame around the viewport. While in “Edit” mode you are able to move (R) the control points and their handles. You also have access to a selected point's individual “@ CP” settings. Please read the → “Quick Start Workflows - Drawing and Editing Splines” chapter to learn how to shape splines.

@ CP axial

Click on “EDIT” and select a control point to change the parameter's settings. “@ CP axial” introduces a force along the spline's path. Positive values create a force in direction of the spline's last control point, negative values create a force in direction of the first control point.

@ CP radial

Click on “EDIT” and select a control point to change the parameter's settings. “@ CP radial” introduces a force around the control points.

@ CP vortex

Click on “EDIT” and select a control point to change the parameter's settings. “@ CP vortex” creates a rotational force around the spline's path. Positive values create a clockwise rotation, negative values create a counter-clockwise rotation.

@ CP radius

Click on “EDIT” and select a control point to change the parameter's settings. The circle around indicates the forces' scope or radius. Only particles or rigid/soft bodies inside the viewport's circles will be affected. The circles' sizes can be controlled with the yellow dot: hit the R key, select one or more dots, and move it.

Every control point can be linked to another node, e.g. to animate a point's position. Normally, “Null” nodes are used for this purpose, but any other node will work as well. Click on “-” for a node list.

@ CP handle smoothness

With “Smooth” both tangents are affected while moving a single handle. When you switch to “Broken” the tangents can be edited separately.

@ CP handle weighting

When set to “Even” both tangents have the same influence on the spline's curvature. With “Uneven” the tangents' influence is treated individually.