====== Generators ======

Procedural modeling involves editing a variety of parameters and their variances that govern the creation of a tree. Generators are the objects that provide this level of procedural generation.

Generators create and control groups of [[nodes|Nodes]], which comprise the geometry of tree model. Editing the values and variances of the [[properties|Properties]] of the Generators and controlling their hierarchy creates the procedural generation of the tree.


===== Generation Editor =====

The [[generation_editor|Generator Editor]] is where you edit the basic structure of the tree. Generators are connected here, and the tree's procedural structure can be edited by changing these connections.

===== Generator Types =====

There are several types of generators that create different types of geometry in the tree.


==== Main ====

| {{ :tree.jpg?80 }} | **[[tree_generator|Tree Generator]]**\\ Every SpeedTree has exactly one Tree Generator, which is where you set global settings for the tree. |
| {{ :branch.jpg?80 }} | **[[branch_generator|Branch Generator]]**\\ The Branch Generator is responsible for generating trunks, branches, and roots. It can also be used for [[hand_drawing|hand-drawn branches]]. |
| {{ :leafmesh.jpg?80 }} | **[[leaf_mesh_generator|Leaf Mesh Generator]]**\\ The Leaf Mesh Generator is responsible for any type of leaf geometry or [[clusters|Cluster]]. |
| {{ :batchleaf.jpg?80 |}} | **[[batched_leaf_generator|Batched Leaf Generator]]**\\ On VFX trees with many thousands of leaves, this Generator forgoes individual node editing for orders-of-magnitude faster computation. |
| {{ ::frond.jpg?80 |}} | **[[frond_generator|Frond Generator]]**\\ The Frond Generator will create a mesh deforms along a parent branch spine. This is useful to make palm fronds or ferns. |

====Decorators====

Decorators are a way of spawning exterior parts to give a tree interesting and unique features.

| {{ :cap.jpg?80 |}} | **[[cap_generator|Cap Generator]]**\\ The Cap Generator closes off open-ended branches. |
| {{ :knot.jpg?80 |}} | **[[knot_generator|Knot Generator]]**\\ The Knot Generator creates an extra piece of geometry attached to a branch, such as a knot, lump, or cavity. |
| {{ :fin.jpg?80 |}} | **[[fin_generator|Fin Generator]]**\\ Fin Generators create a thin flap of geometry that can be used for fungus, moss, or other things that hang off a trunk or branch. |
| {{ :shell.jpg?80 |}} | **[[branch_generator|Shell generator]]**\\ A Shell is a special kind of Branch that sits on top of the parent branch, allowing you to wrap the parent in moss, algae, or low-poly vines. |

====World Building====
| {{ :zone.jpg?80 |}} | **[[zone_generator|Zone Generator]]**\\ The Zone Generator serves as a parent for other objects to grow off, similar to the Tree Generator. |
| {{ :proxy.jpg?80 |}} | **[[proxy_generator|Proxy Generator]]**\\ The Proxy Generator creates stand-in objects called "proxies" that are placed on a Zone Generator as part of [[world_building|World Building]]. |