• Where to find it:

• Add Procedural Layer / Procedural / Extension Pack / Generators

• NodeGraph / Right Mouse Click / Add Nodes / Procedurals / Extension Pack / Generators

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• Video
• Pattern Engine

• Node Overview
• Node Outputs
• Node Ports
• Node Properties

• Main Tab

• Seed
• Amount
• Pattern
• Pattern Crop
• Input Image
• Size
• Position
• Rotation
• Symmetry
• Probability Masking
• Layering
• Color
• Color Randomization
• Output Alphas
• Normal Map

• Transform Tab

• Triplanar Settings
• UV Settings

• Tips
• Seam Removal

The heart of the Pattern Engine, the Pattern Generators allow you to create infinite pattern variations either

based on a texture or a procedurally  generated shape

Pattern Engine Overview

This Node is part of a collection of Nodes making up the Pattern Engine:

• Pattern Generator X1 2D
• Pattern Generator X4 2D
• Pattern Generator X4 Triplanar
• Symmetry Pattern X1 2D
• Symmetry Pattern X1 Triplanar
• Splatter X1 2D
• Splatter X1 Triplanar
• Splatter X4 2D
• Splatter X4 Triplanar
• Shape Splatter 2D
• Shape Splatter Triplanar

• Output

The Default Output

• Pattern UVs

Outputs the UV coordinates of the cells

• Pattern Center

Outputs the center UV coordinate for each cell as a uniform value across the entire cell

• Pattern Manifold

Outputs Manifold Data from the node that can be used to drive other nodes.

A simple example of a Pattern Generator Node driving another node via the Manifold Output

• Pattern Index

Outputs a R,G,B packed Index

• R - Row Index

Multiplies the normalized Row Number (0.0 - 1.0) against the result.

Each row will have a different value this way

       

• G - Column Index

Multiplies the normalized Column Number (0.0 - 1.0) against the result

Each column will have a different value this way

• B - Pattern Index

Multiplies the normalized Cell Number (0.0 - 1.0) against the result

Each cell will have a different value this way

• Pattern Scale

Change the Value of each Cell based on the Cell scale.

Evaluated are Random Size X/Y, Random Scale,Random Scale Map, Normal Map

Example of Scale Output

• Pattern Mask

Outputs the pure pattern result as a mask without the Background Color applied

• Pattern Specific 1

An option to change the look of the generated Pattern. Varies based on Patttern. Overwrites Pattern Specific 1 Slider if mapped,.

• Pattern Specific 2

An option to change the look of the generated Pattern. Varies based on Patttern. Overwrites Pattern Specific 2 Slider if mapped,.

• Edge Falloff

Allows you to overwrite the Edge Falloff Attribute in the Pattern Group

• Edge Softness

Allows you to overwrite the  Edge Softness Attribute with a Node Connection

• Edge Roundness

Allows you to overwrite the  Edge Roundness Attribute with a Node Connection

• Amount

Allows setting the Amount of Cells via a Nodegraph Input.

Will overwrite the Amount X and Amount Y Sliders.

Separate values can be fed to X and Y by specifying different values for Red and Green channel of the attached node stream

• Scale Map

Allows for scale changes to Cell contents. Needs to be activated by raising the Scale Map Multiplier within the Node

Example of increasing the scale map                        

multiplier from 0 to 1 with a cloud                        

node attached to the scale map port                        

                       

• Displacement Map

Allows the Displacement of Patterns. Needs to be activated by raising the Displacement Map Intensity Slider

Example of displacing a pattern with a

'Stripes' Node

• Rotation Map

Allows for Rotation of Patterns. Needs to be activated by raising the Rotation Map Multiplier

Example of raising the Rotation Map Multiplier

while a Circular Gradient Node is attached

to the Rotation Map Port

• Normal Map

Allows for Rotation, Displacement and Scaling of Patterns based on the Normals of the Normal Map.

Needs to be activated by raising the appropriate Normal Map Slider in the Rotation,Position or Size Group of the Node

• Probability Map

Allows hiding of parts of the Patterns with a Node Input. Needs to be activated by raising the Probability Map Multiplier

• Opacity

Allows changing the opacity of the Pattern with a Node Input.

Currently the behavior is very similar to the Probability Map.

Can be controlled via the Opacity Intensity Slider

• Color

Allows the colorizing of cells.

Needs to have Parametrization Mode set to Color and Parametrization Multiplier above 0

• Background

Allows for setting a Pattern Background. Fill Background needs to be turned on

• Manifold 3D

When mapped the world space position the node uses to calculate the projection is supplied by the port.

This can be used for example to apply warping to the projection using Manifold Nodes

• 3D Rotation (XYZ)

When mapped the red channel of the attached connection is used to drive the Rotate X Attribute,

the green channel the Rotate Y Attribute and the blue channel the Rotate Z Attribute

• UV Scale Right (UV)

Determines the UV Scaling of the Projection from the Right side

• UV Scale Top (UV)

Determines the UV Scaling of the Projection from the Top side

• UV Scale Front (UV)

Determines the UV Scaling of the Projection from the Front side

• UV Angle (XYZ)

When mapped the red channel of the attached connection is used to drive the UV Rotation Right Attribute,

the green channel the UV Rotation Top Attribute and the blue channel the UV Rotation Front Attribute

• UV Offset (UV)

When mapped the red channel of the attached connection is used to drive the U Offset  Attribute,

the green channel the V Offset Attribute

• Jitter Noise

By default the Edge Blending Jitter uses a node internal noise to perform its jittering/randomization of edges.

By attaching a noise of your choosing to the Jitter Noise Connection in the Nodegraph you can overwrite this

internal noise.

MAIN TAB

• Random Seed

By modifying the Random Seed, different looks can be achieved with the otherwise same settings.

• Amount Multiplier

A multiplier on the amount of Cells generated. Each cell is processed independently with the given settings (Position, Rotation etc. etc.)

• Amount X

Amount of cells generated horizontally. Each cell is processed independently with the given settings (Position, Rotation etc. etc.)

• Amount Y

Amount of cells generated vertically. Each cell is processed independently with the given settings (Position, Rotation etc. etc.)

• Pattern

Determines what pattern is used to fill each cell.

Options are

• A File Texture (Input Image)

Supply a Texture in the Input Image Section

• One of 23 procedurally generated Patterns

For a complete overview of all procedural patterns visit the Shape Node Help

• Pattern Specific 1

An Option to change the look of procedurally generated Patterns. Varies based on Patttern

• Pattern Specific 2

An Option to change the look of procedurally generated Patterns. Varies based on Patttern

• Pattern Size

Determines the size of the procedurally generated Pattern within a cell.

Please note this works together with any size/scale specified in the Size Group.

• Pattern Rotate

Determines the rotation of the procedurally generated Pattern within a cell

• Pattern Alpha Intensity

Determines the processing of the Alpha Channel of a procedurally generated pattern.

Example of reducing the Alpha Intensity from 1 to 0 on a large Hemisphere pattern

• Pattern Repeat U

Repeats the pattern or input image x-amount of times horizontally in each cell.

Example of increasing Pattern Repeat U

 on a 'Gaussian' Pattern

• Pattern Repeat V

Repeats the pattern or input image x-amount of times vertically in each cell.

• Pattern Random X

Randomly horizontally offsets the Pattern or Input Image within each cell

This is useful to have a more random look when using tileable textures

Example of randomly offsetting a tileable texture in X and Y

• Pattern Random Y

Randomly vertically offsets the Pattern or Input Image within each cell

This is useful to have a more random look when using tileable textures

• Invert Pattern

Invert pattern or Input Image

• Blend Mode

The Blend Mode used to overlay a cell over other cells

Example of different effects achieved by changing the blend mode

• Edge Controls

The Edge Controls give you control over the edge transparency of the generated pattern, allowing you to create 'Brush Effects'

• Edge Falloff

Will contract the edges of your loaded textures. This parameter can also be mapped via the Nodegraph

• Edge Softness

Will feather the edges of your loaded textures from the start of the Edge Falloff to the centre of your texture.

This parameter can also be mapped via the Nodegraph

• Edge Roundness

Switches the Falloff from Square (0.0) to Radial (1.0).

This parameter can also be mapped via the Nodegraph

• Edge Distortion

The Edge Distortion is distorting the alpha in the softened areas based on the luminance of the pattern.

If Edge Distortion is 1.0 black parts of the pattern inside the cell will be hidden in the area of Edge Softness.

If Edge Distortion is -1.0 white parts of the pattern inside the cell will be hidden in the area of Edge Softness.

Example of raising Edge Distortion from 0 to 1

• Rotation

Pre-rotates the Input Image or Pattern by either 90, 180 or 270 degrees

• Random Rotation

Applies a random rotation in 90 degree increments

The Pattern Crop options allow to 'cut' the edges of a patterns or input images, allowing even more variation

Example of using the Pattern Crop to generate a triangle from a square

• Top

Control the Crop from Top to Bottom per Shape

• Bottom

Control the Crop from Bottom to Top per Shape

• Left

Control the Crop from Left to Right per Shape

• Right

Control the Crop from Right to Left per Shape

• Rotate

Rotate the Crop 'Frame' around its center

• Map

Supply a texture map to use in the processing.

• Mipmap Blur

Allows you to blur the input image. This feature requires Mari 4.6v2.

• Image Type

If an image is specified as a Normal Map, rotating images recalculates normal vectors for correct lighting results.

Below you can see an example of this. The Material and its normal map was rotated 90 degrees from its original output.

• With the Normal Map specified in the Image Type, Mari correctly recalculate the normal map vectors for rotation changes resulting in consistent lighting in viewport & render.
• If the Normal Map is treated as a 'Standard Texture', no normal orientation is recalcuated, resulting in incorrect lighting in viewport & render

• Alpha

Configure the Alpha Handling of the supplied image.

• From Map

The Transparency in your loaded texture map is used

• Alpha is Luminance

The Luminance of your loaded texture map is used as Alpha.

Black is transparent.

• Alpha is Inverted Luminance

The inverted Luminance of your loaded texture map is used as Alpha.

White is transparent.

• White

The Alpha of the loaded map is set to white resulting in the image being 100% opaque.

• Size X

The horizontal size of each cell

• Size Y

The vertical size of each cell

• Random Size X

Mix Factor for size randomization in X for each cell.

Positive Values (0 - 1) will  squash the cells along X.

Negative Values (-1 - 0) will stretch the cells along X.

• Random Size Y

Mix Factor for size randomization in Y for each cell.

Positive Values (0 - 1) will squash the cells along Y.

Negative Values (-1 - 0) will stretch the cells along Y.

• Scale

A uniform scale factor.

• Random Scale

Mix Factor for uniform scale randomization.

Positive Values (0 - 1) will reduce the size of the cells randomly.

Positive Values (0 - 1) will increase the size of the cells randomly.

• Scale Map Multiplier

Controls the influence of the Scale Map attached to corresponding Port in the Nodegraph.

Positive Values (0 - 1) will reduce the size of the cells based on values found in the Scale Map.

Positive Values (0 - 1) will increase the size of the cells based on values found in the Scale Map.

Example of increasing the scale map                                Example of increasing the scale map                                

multiplier from 0 to 1 with a cloud                                        multiplier from 0 to -1 with a cloud

node attached to the scale map port                                node attached to the scale map port

                               

• Scale Map Random

Applies a randomization to the Values supplied through the Scale Map attached to corresponding Port in the Nodegraph.

• Normal Map Multiplier

Controls the influence of the Normal Map attached to corresponding Port in the Nodegraph.

Positive Values (0 - 1) will reduce the size of the cells based on values found in the Scale Map.

Positive Values (0 - 1) will increase the size of the cells based on values found in the Scale Map.

• Scale Map Affects

Limits the Effect of Scale Map and Normal Map to scale in X direction, Y direction or uniformly both directions

• Position Random X/Y

Randomly offset the Cell Positions along X and Y.

• Offset

Sets an offset for cells. The type of offset is determined by the Offset Type (see below)

• Offset Type

• Horizontal quuincux

Controlled by the Offset Slider this will offset every second row of cells

• Vertical quuincux

Controlled by the Offset Slider this will offset every second column of cells

• Horizontal Global Normalized

This will add the value specified in Offset to each row successively then normalize the Offset to prevent it from going over 1.0.

e.g.

Offset Value = 0.2

Row 1 will receive an offset of 0.2 in X

Row 2 will receive an offset of 0.4 in X

Row 3 will receive an offset of 0.6 in X

Row 4 will receive an offset of 0.8 in X

.

.

• Verrtical Global Normalized

This will add the value specified in Offset to each row successively then normalize the Offset to prevent it from going over 1.0.

e.g.

Offset Value = 0.2

Row 1 will receive an offset of 0.2 in X

Row 2 will receive an offset of 0.4 in X

Row 3 will receive an offset of 0.6 in X

Row 4 will receive an offset of 0.8 in X

Row 5 will receive an offset of 1.0 in X

Row 6 will receive an offset of 0.2 in X

Row 7 will receive an offset of 0.4 in X

.

.

• Horizontal Global

This will add the value specified in Offset to each row successively.

e.g.

Offset Value = 0.2

Row 1 will receive an offset of 0.2 in X

Row 2 will receive an offset of 0.4 in X

Row 3 will receive an offset of 0.6 in X

Row 4 will receive an offset of 0.8 in X

Row 5 will receive an offset of 1.0 in X

Row 6 will receive an offset of 1.2 in X

Row 7 will receive an offset of 1.4 in X

.

.

• Vertical Global

This will add the value specified in Offset to each column successively.

e.g.

Offset Value = 0.2

Column 1 will receive an offset of 0.2 in Y

Column 2 will receive an offset of 0.4 in Y

Column 3 will receive an offset of 0.6 in Y

Column 4 will receive an offset of 0.8 in Y

Column 5 will receive an offset of 1.0 in Y

Column 6 will receive an offset of 1.2 in Y

Column 7 will receive an offset of 1.4 in Y

.

.

• Global Offset X/Y

Applies a global offset of the generated Pattern (all cells) along X or Y

• Displacement Map Intensity

If a Displacement Map is attached to the Node, this controls the offset intensity of the Displacement Map

Example of displacing a pattern with a

'Stripes' Node

• Displacement Map Angle

If a Displacement Map is attached to the Node and the Displacement Intensity slider is not 0, this controls direction in which to offset the cell contents

• Normal Map Displacement

If a Normal Map is attached to the Node, this controls the offset intensity of the Displacement Map

• Rotation

Applies a rotation to each cell

• Global Rotation

Rotates the end result of the Pattern Generation. (globally, instead of per cell)

• Alternate Rotation

Applies a secondary rotation to the cells specified in the Alternate Rotation Method

Example of an alternate Rotation

with the Alternate Rotation Method set

to "Every Second row"

• Alternate Rotation Method

Determines which cells are affected by the Alternate Rotation Slider.

• Every Second Row
• Every Second Column
• Every Second Row and Column

• Rotation Random

Applies a random rotation to Cells

• Rotation Steps

Determines the freedom of the Rotation Random.

WIth a value of 360, Rotation Random will rotate cells freely from 0 to 360 degrees.

With a value of e.g. 90, Rotation Random will rotate cells in a range from 0 to 90 degrees.

• Rotation Map Multiplier

If a Rotation Map is attached to the Node, this controls the influence of the attached rotation map on the result

Example of raising the Rotation Map Multiplier

while a Circular Gradient Node is attached

to the Rotation Map Port

• Normal Map Multiplier

If a  Normal Map is attached to the Node, this controls the influence of the attached normal map on the result

• Alternate Symmetry

Applies a Mirroring effect to the cells specified

• None

Alternate Symmetry is disabled (default)

• Every Second Row

Every second row is mirrored in X, Y or X and Y (depending on the setting chosen in Alternate Symmetry affects)

• Every Second Column

Every second column is mirrored in X, Y or X and Y (depending on the setting chosen in Alternate Symmetry affects)

• Every Second Row and Column

Every second Row and column is mirrored in X, Y or X and Y (depending on the setting chosen in Alternate Symmetry affects)

• Mirrored

Similar to Every Second Column tries to create mirrored pairs in X.

Ignores Alternate Symmetry affects.

• Alternate Symmetry affects

Determines the mirroring axis for the Alternate Symmetry.

• Random Symmetry

Applies a Mirroring effect to random selection of cells

Example of Random Symmetry in X

• Random Symmetry affects

Determines the Mirror Axis to use for Random Symmetry

• Mask Random

Randomly hides Cells

• Noise Type

Determines the Noise Type used for hiding cells when using Mask Random.

• Noise Seed

Randomizes the Noise Type used for hiding cells when using Mask Random

• Probability Map Multiplier

Controls the effect of the map attached to the Probability Map Port of the Node

• Probability Map Threshold

Thresholds the  Probability Map attached to the Node.

• Probability Map Invert

Inverts the  Probability Map attached to the Node.

• Alternate Masking

Applies a alternate Masking to the cells specified

• Ignore

Alternate Masking is disabled (default)

• Every Second Row

Every second row is hidden

• Every Second Column

Every second column is hidden

• Every Second Row and Column

Every second Row and column is hidden

• Layer Cutoff

The Layer Cutoff determines the number of iterations and radius around each cell the node runs through before it stops calculating.

If you are experiencing Seams this might be the reason

To better understand this behavior and to anticipate consider this:

• By default each cell is generated in a grid pattern at a scale of 1.
• Each cell has an internal position of 0.0 for its own coordinate system

If you change the position of a cell from its original position of 0.0/0.0 the Layer Cutoff needs to be increased

for a wider sample radius. So for example

• adding a Random Position Value of 1.0/1.0 means we need to sample up to 1 additional cell around the original cell.
• We need to increase the Layer Cutoff to at least 2

• adding a Random Position Value of 2.0/2.0 means we need to sample up to 2 additional cell around the original cell.
• We need to increase the Layer Cutoff to at least 3

If you change the scale of a cell from its original scale of 1.0  the Layer Cutoff needs to be increased

for a wider sample radius. So for example

• Changing the Scale to 2 means we need to sample 1 additional cell around the original cell.
• We need to increase the Layer Cutoff to at least 2

• Changing the Scale to 4 means we need to sample 3 additional cell around the original cell.
• We need to increase the Layer Cutoff to at least 4

• Attenuation

Attenuation lowers the value of layers in the background successively for each Layer ID until it reaches a value of 0

• Fill Background

If ticked on, the Pattern will be generated over the Background defined in the Background Color or the background attached to the Background Node port

• Background Color

The Background Color for the Pattern if Fill Background is ticked on. The Background Color is ignores if something is attached to the Background Node port

• Tint

Tint the result of the Pattern Generation with the specified color. Mutliplies the specified color against the result of the computation.

• Value Offset

Adds or subtracts the specified value from each layer of the pattern computation, lightening or darkening the output.

• Opacity

Set the Opacity for each cell

• Opacity Map Intensity

Determines the influence of the Opacity Map if one is attached to the Opacity Node Port

• Scale Normal Map Intensity

If a Normal Map is used in the Input Image, this slider can be used to modulate the normal strength based on the size of the feature

• Random Hue Multiplier

Affects how much the Hue is randomized in between cells

• Random Hue Min/Max

Sets the Min and Max Range for Random Hue changes in between cells

• Random Saturation Multiplier

Affects how much the Saturation is randomized in between cells

• Random Saturation Min/Max

Sets the Min and Max Range for Random Saturation changes in between cells

• Random Luminance Multiplier

Affects how much the Luminance is randomized in between cells

• Random Luminance Min/Max

Sets the Min and Max Range for Random Luminance changes in between cells

• Random Opacity Multiplier

Affects how much the Opacity is randomized in between cells

• Random Opacity Min/Max

Sets the Min and Max Range for Random Opacity changes in between cells

The Settings found in the Output Alphas Group determine how transparency of cell content is treated in the additional Output Ports of the Node

(Pattern UVs, Pattern Center, Pattern Index, Pattern Manifold and Pattern Scale)

• UVs premultiply

Premultiplies the transparency of cell content returned on the Pattern UVs output Port

• Center premultiply

Premultiplies the transparency of cell content returned on the Pattern Center output Port

• Index/Manifold premultiply

Premultiplies the transparency of cell content returned on the Pattern Index and Pattern Manifold output Ports

• Scale premultiply

Premultiplies the transparency of cell content returned on the Pattern Scale output Port

• Mirror X Front / Mirror Y Front

Will mirror the vectors of the normal map for the Front Projection Direction. This is useful to align the Normal Map correctly in space for your projection

• Mirror X Top / Mirror Y Top

Will mirror the vectors of the normal map for the Top Projection Direction. This is useful to align the Normal Map correctly in space for your projection

• Mirror X Right / Mirror Y Right

Will mirror the vectors of the normal map for the Right Projection Direction. This is useful to align the Normal Map correctly in space for your projection

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TRANSFORM TAB

The Triplanar Settings control the projection of the texture in 3d space.

The settings are similar to a regular Triplanar Node found in Mari.

• Manifold World Scale

The Manifold World Scale controls the size of the Manifold Coordinates returned by the Pattern Manifold Output Port of the Node.

It only affects this Output Port.

An example of using the Manifold World Scale would be when the node is connected to e.g. an Axis Projection via the Pattern Manifold -> Manifold 3D

connected to drive the look of the Axis Projection by the Pattern Engine Node.

The size of the projection of the Axis Projection in this case would be controlled by the Manifold World Scale of the Pattern Engine Node.

Example of driving an Axis Projection Node via the Pattern Manifold of the Pattern Engine Node.

• Projection Rotate X/Y/Z

Will change the rotation of the Triplanar 'Projection Cube' in space.

This should not be confused with changing UV Rotation which will rotate the projected image on

each side of the projection.

Projection Rotate is useful if your asset is not perfectly aligned in the main world space axis X Y and Z

and you see projection stretching as a result of it.

Sample of rotating a projection in 3d space. While this example is using

 an Axis Projection Node the concept is the same for the Texture Scatter Triplanar Node

• Edge Falloff Start

The Edge Falloff Start determines the minimum angle where the projection

starts to be fully opaque

• Edge Falloff End

The Edge Falloff End determines the maximum angle where the projection

starts to be fully transparent

• Edge Falloff

The Edge Falloff Curve determines the general Falloff of each projection axis to its sides.

This is similar to adjusting the Edge Falloff Start and Edge Falloff End Sliders however

it allows you to create non-linear edge blending

• Jitter Intensity

Jitter will make the edges of projections less uniform/straight.

The Jitter Intensity determines the amplitude of the the Jitter.

You can overwrite the Noise used for jittering the edges by mapping the Jitter Noise Port in the Nodegraph

• Jitter Scale

Determines the Frequency of the internal Noise used for jittering.

• Scale Right

Changes the UV Scale of the Right Side Projection

• U Scale Right

Will scale the UVs for the Right Side Projection along U (Horizontally)

• V Scale Right

Will scale the UVs for the Right Side Projection along U (Vertically)

• Scale Top

Changes the UV Scale of the Top Side Projection

• U Scale Top

Will scale the UVs for the Top Side Projection along U (Horizontally)

• V Scale Top

Will scale the UVs for the Top Side Projection along U (Vertically)

• Scale Front

Changes the UV Scale of the Front Side Projection

• U Scale Front

Will scale the UVs for the Front Side Projection along U (Horizontally)

• V Scale Front

Will scale the UVs for the Front Side Projection along U (Vertically)

• UV Rotation

Will rotate the result for all axis of the Triplanar Projection

• UV Rotation Right

Will rotate the UVs just along the X-Axis of the Triplanar Projection.

• UV Rotation Top

Will rotate the UVs just along the Y-Axis of the Triplanar Projection.

• UV Rotation Front

Will rotate the UVs just along the Z-Axis of the Triplanar Projection.

• U Offset

Will offset the result along U.

• V Offset

Will offset the result along V.

If you are seeing seams in your pattern try raising the Layer Cutoff

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