FieldShape

The FieldShape node creates a variety of simple shapes either as signed distance fields or density fields.

Inputs and Controls

Connection Type	Connection Name	Function
No inputs.

Control (UI)	Knob (Scripting)	Default Value	Function
FieldShape Tab
Type	type	Signed Distance	Sets the type of FieldShape to create - either Signed Distance or Density.
Shape	shape	Sphere	Sets the shape to create - Sphere, Ellipsoid, Box, Cylinder, Torus, Cone, Plane, or Line Segment. Selecting a Shape will dynamically populate the knobs below.
Radius	radius	0.5	Sets the radius of the shape (Sphere, Cylinder, Torus, Cone, and Line Segment).
Bounds	bounds	x = -0.5, y = -0.5, n = -0.5, r = 0.5, t = 0.5, f = 0.5	Sets the bounds of the shape (Ellipsoid and Box).
Height	height	1	Sets the height of the shape (Cylinder and Cone).
Minor Radius	minor_radius	0.3	Sets the minor radius of the shape (Torus).
Top Radius	top_radius	0.3	Sets the top radius of the shape (Cone).
Point A	point_a	x = 0, y = 0, z = 0	Sets the position of point A (Line Segment).
Point B	point_b	x = 0, y = 1, z = 0	Sets the position of point B (Line Segment).
Snap	snap_menu	N/A	Set your geometry or pivot location to that of a selection within the scene: • Geo to selection (position): sets the position of your geometry to the selection within the scene • Geo to selection (position, orientation): sets the position and orientation of your geometry to the selection within the scene • Geo to selection (position, orientation, size): sets the position, orientation and size of your geometry to the selection within the scene • Pivot to selection (position): sets the pivot position to the selection within the scene • Pivot to selection (orientation): sets the pivot orientation to the selection within the scene • Pivot to selection (position, orientation): sets the pivot position and orientation to the selection within the scene
Transform Order	xform_order	SRT	Sets the operation order for scale (S), rotation (R), and translation (T). The possible operation combinations are SRT, STR, RST, RTS, TSR, TRS.
Rotation Order	rot_order	ZXY	Sets the order of rotation. The possible axial combinations are ZXY, XYZ, XZY, YXZ, YZX, ZXY, ZYX.
Transform Data	file_menu	N/A	Select to import or export a channel file: • Import chan file - import a channel file and transform the object according to the transformation data in the channel file. Channel files contain a set of Cartesian coordinates for every frame of animation in a given shot. You can create and export them using Nuke or 3D tracking software, such as 3D-Equalizer, Maya, or Boujou. • Export chan file - export the translation parameters that you’ve applied to the object as a channel file. This is a useful method of sharing setups between artists.
Translate	translate	0, 0, 0	Lets you translate the object along the x, y, and z axes. You can also adjust translate values by clicking and dragging the object in the 3D Viewer.
Rotate	rotate	0, 0, 0	Lets you rotate the object around the x, y, and z axes. You can adjust rotate values by holding down Ctrl/Cmd and dragging in the 3D Viewer.
Scale	scaling	1, 1, 1	Lets you scale the object on the x, y, and z axes.
Uniform Scale	uniform_scale	1	Lets you scale the object simultaneously on the x, y, and z axes.
Pivot Translate	pivot_translate	0, 0, 0	When you make changes to a 3D object’s position, scaling, skewing, and rotation, these occur from the location of the object’s origin point or pivot. The pivot translate and rotate x, y, and z controls allow you to move and rotate the pivot point as required - you can even move it outside of the object. Subsequent transformations applied then occur relative to the new pivot point location and rotation. You can hold down Ctrl/Cmd and drag the pivot point to a new location in the 3D Viewer.
Pivot Rotate	pivot_rotate	0, 0, 0	When you make changes to a 3D object’s position, scaling, skewing, and rotation, these occur from the location of the object’s origin point or pivot. The pivot translate and rotate x, y, and z controls allow you to move and rotate the pivot point as required - you can even move it outside of the object. Subsequent transformations applied then occur relative to the new pivot point location and rotation. You can hold down Ctrl/Cmd and drag the pivot point to a new location in the 3D Viewer.
Local Matrix
Specify Matrix	useMatrix	off	Enable this control to specify matrix values for the object you’re transforming as an alternative to setting transform, scale, skew and pivot values above.
Matrix	matrix	N/A	The matrix displays values from the object’s transform, rotate, scale, skew, and pivot controls. Check specify matrix and copy or drag-and-drop matrix values from another object to apply those values, for example, if you wanted to align objects in a scene.
Display Tab
Draw Bounding Box	preview_bounds	off	Draw the bounding box of the field if it has one.
Draw Preview (SDF and Density only)	preview_on	off	Draw a rough preview of the field.
Preview Opacity	preview_opacity	0.5	The opacity at which to draw the preview.
Scale	preview_scale	1	A value by which the field is multiplied before drawing. You may need to increase this to display faint volumes for example.
Offset	preview_offset	0	A value added to the field before drawing (after scaling).
Detail	preview_detail	1	The detail level at which the preview is drawn. Large values are more accurate but slower to draw.