Tile Generator

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Tile Generator (Color)

In: Texture Generators*/Patterns*

Complex

Description

Tile generator is one of the most advanced nodes in the library. If you learn to master it, you can create any kind of pattern (within some limitations). As of Version 2017 2.1 there have been some big updates, bringing this node more in line with what Tile Sampler can do.

This node is highly useful for a variety of scenarios, but keep in mind that simply reading parameters will not fully teach you how to use them. We suggest you experiment too!

For 99% of all cases, the color version is NOT needed!

Some general usage tips:

• You can start with a basic shape, but if you have a custom input (Set Pattern Type to Image Input), create it first! It determines a lot of the look.
• Start by correctly setting your X and Y amounts.
• Find the right Size mode: Relative modes like Interstice behave quite different from Absolute modes.
• Adjust global Scale and non-uniform Size next.
• Finally, tweak any “Variation” parameter until it meets your needs. Subtlety is key with variation!

Parameters

Inputs

• Pattern Input 1-6: Grayscale Input
  Custom pattern image, used when the “Pattern” parameter is set to “Image Input”.
• Background:Grayscale InputBackground to use instead of solid color.

Parameters

• X Amount: 1 - 64
  Amount of X-repetitions of the pattern.

• Y Amount: 1 - 64
  Amount of Y-repetitions of the pattern.

• Non Square Expansion: False/True
  Enables compensation of squash and stretch with non-square ratios.

• Pattern

  • Pattern: Image Input, Square, Disc, Paraboloid, Bell, Gaussian, Thorn, Pyramid, Brick, Gradation, Waves, Half Bell, Ridged Bell, Crescent, Capsule, Cone
    Selects which pattern shape to use.
  • Pattern Input Number: 1 - 6Number of different Image inputs to use. Only available when Image Input is selected above.
  • Pattern Input Distribution: Random, By Pattern NumberHow to pick between the different Image Inputs, if more than 1 is selected.
  • Pattern Specific: 0.0 - 1.0
    Lets you change the selected pattern’s shape. Effect is dependent on selected pattern.
  • Image Input Filtering (Engine >v4 only): Bilinear + Mipmaps, Bilinear, Nearest
  • Rotation: 0, 90, 180, 270Rotates all tiles globally by a set angle in 90 degree steps.
  • Rotation Random: 0.0 - 1.0Randomy rotates a tile by one of four 90 degree steps.
  • Quincunx Flip: False/TrueRotates every other tile by 90 degrees.
  • Symmetry Random: 0.0 - 1.0Randomly mirrors certain patterns by the selected Symmetry random Mode. The higher this value, the more patterns will be mirrored.
  • Symmetry Random Mode: Horizontal + Vertical, Horizontal, VerticalDetermines mirroring behaviour when Symmetry random is higher than 0.

• Size

  • **Size Mode:**Normal - Interstice, Normal - Size, Keep Ratio, Absolute, PixelSets general behavior of the pattern size.
    Normal - Interstice lets you define the gap between the pattern elements. It is affected by the X and Y amount.
    Normal - Size lets you define the size of the pattern elements, irrespective of the gap. It is affected by the X and Y amount.
    Keep Ratio lets you set a size affected by X and Y amount, but the X and Y ratio between the two is left intact.
    Absolute lets you set an absolute size that is not affected by X and Y amount.
    Pixel lets you set an absolute size in pixels, unaffected by X and Y amount. Changing the resolution will affect the size of the elements.
  • Middle Size: 0.0 - 1.0Changes size on an alternating column- and row-basis.
  • Interstice X/Y: 0.0 - 1.0Only available in Normal - Interstice Size mode. Changes interstice gap. Affects the seam between shapes, allows for non-uniform control unlike Scale.
  • Size (Absolute/Pixel): 0.0 - 1.0
    Only available outside of Normal - Interstice size mode. Sets non-uniform size, unlike Scale.
  • Scale: 0.0 - 2.0Sets global Scale.
  • Scale Random: 0.0 - 1.0Sets global scale variation per-tile.
  • Scale Random Seed: 0 - 1000Offsets scale variation seed.

• Position

  • Offset: 0.0 - 1.0Offsets the entire pattern incrementally over every consecutive row or column (behaviour depends on Vertical Offset parameter).
  • Offset Random: 0.0 - 1.0Randomises line offsetting.
  • Offset Random Seed: 0 - 1000Changes the relative seed for the random offsetting effect.
  • Vertical Offset: False/TrueSets whether Offset effect happens over rows or lines; Horizontal or Vertical.
  • Position Random: 0.0 - 1.0Randomises position in a non-uniform way, with separate control for X and Y.
  • Global Offset: 0.0 - 1.0Shifts the entire result over both X- and Y-axes.

• Rotation

  • Rotation: 0.0 - 1.0Does a uniform free Rotation of all pattern tiles.
  • Rotation Random: 0.0 - 1.0Randomises free rotation of all tiles. The higher this value, the more tiles can be rotated.

• Color

  • Color: *(Grayscale value)*Sets tile solid color.
  • Luminance/Color Random: 0.0 - 1.0Introduces per-tile Color or Luminance variation.
  • Luminance By Number: False/TrueFades Luminance over the entire pattern.
  • Luminance By Scale: False/TrueMakes Luminance variation dependent on tile scale.
  • Checker Mask: False/TrueHides every other tile.
  • Horizontal Mask: False/TrueHides every other column.
  • Vertical Mask: False/TrueHides every other row.
  • Random Mask: 0.0 - 1.0Randomly hides tiles. The higher this value, the more tiles will disappear.
  • Invert Mask: False/TrueInverts the result of any masking effects from this section.
  • Blending Mode: Add, Max, Add SubSets what blending mode to use.
  • Background Color: *(Grayscale value)*Sets solid background color.
  • Global Opacity: 0.0 - 1.0Sets global tiles opacity.
  • Reverse Rendering Order: False/TrueRenders tiles back to front or vice-versa.

Example Images