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+ | ====== Generator Editor ====== | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Generation Editor is the area where models are constructed at the highest conceptual level. [[kcgenerators|Generators]] are added to represent the branches, roots, fronds, leaves, and every other component of a tree. The structure of a tree is defined by how the generators are linked. The following image shows a notional tree model and the generator hierarchy used to make it. | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{ :: | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== Adding Generators ===== | ||
+ | Creating and managing the generator hierarchy is the most fundamental task of the Generation Editor. | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{ :: | ||
+ | |||
+ | ^Tree|Root of the hierarchy and houses global model properties (cannot be added, deleted, or moved).| | ||
+ | ^[[branch_generator|Branch]]|Creates polygonal and subdivision branches.| | ||
+ | ^Cap|Caps off the end or beginning of open branches.| | ||
+ | ^Shell|Puts a whole or partial shell around a branch (this is a special mode of the Branch generator).| | ||
+ | ^[[knot_generator|Knot]]|Adds knots, cavities, gashes, and lumps to branch geometry.| | ||
+ | ^[[fin_generator|Fin]]|Adds small, planar details like fungi and peeling bark to branches.| | ||
+ | ^[[leaf_mesh_generator|LeafMesh]]|Creates mesh based leaf geometry.| | ||
+ | ^[[batchedleaf_generator|BatchedLeaf]]|Very efficiently creates mesh-based leaf geometry (but you can't node edit the results!).| | ||
+ | ^[[frond_generator|Frond]]|Places blade or mesh geometry along a branch.| | ||
+ | ^[[zone_generator|Zone]]|Grow geometry from a mesh or circular region.| | ||
+ | |||
+ | Now, let's take a look at the three main ways to add a new generator: | ||
+ | |||
+ | - Click the Add icon in the Generation Editor toolbar. | ||
+ | - Right-click a generator and select an option from the "Add geometry to selected" | ||
+ | - Click the Add icon in the [[tooltree_window|Tree Window]] toolbar. | ||
+ | |||
+ | All three of these options bring up the same menu of options to add. Each entry is one of a series of templates designed to look like common vegetation components. | ||
+ | |||
+ | > | ||
+ | |||
+ | When any of these methods are used to add a generator, the new generator is placed in one of two locations in the hierarchy: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * If nothing is selected, the new generator will be made a child of the Tree Generator. | ||
+ | * If a generator is selected, the new generator will be made a child of that generator. | ||
+ | |||
+ | > | ||
+ | |||
+ | The fourth way to add a new generator is to copy an existing generator and then paste it. Generators placed this way will not be in the hierarchy until you explicitly link them. | ||
+ | |||
+ | > | ||
+ | |||
+ | Select a generator and press " | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== Linking Generators ===== | ||
+ | Generators are linked together in a hierarchy that represents the anatomical structure of the model. | ||
+ | |||
+ | * Add a new generator via the three main ways listed in the previous section. | ||
+ | * Drag a generator and drop it on another one. When you do this, any old link is deleted and the new one is created. | ||
+ | |||
+ | To delete a link, select it and press the Delete key. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== Icon Overlays ===== | ||
+ | Generators and links will frequently have context-sensitive hint icons applied to them. Consult the image below and the following list for a description of what the icons mean. | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{ :: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * **A - Messages:** Indicates that at least one error, warning, or note messages is available for this generator. | ||
+ | * **B - Selection Tag:** Indicates that a scene object that concerns the generator is selected (usually a force that is used on the generator or a node created by the generator). | ||
+ | * **C - Hand Drawing:** Indicates that the generator is hand drawn. | ||
+ | * **D - Node Count:** Relays the number of nodes made by the link. In this example, there are 555 frond nodes. | ||
+ | * **E - Hidden Generator: | ||
+ | * **F - Shape Control:** Generators under shape control are indicated by the blue highlight. | ||
+ | |||
+ | > | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== Toolbar ===== | ||
+ | The Generation Editor toolbar offers three options, Add, Action and Randomize: | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Add ==== | ||
+ | Use this button to add generators as described above. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Actions ==== | ||
+ | This button is the same as the right-click menu and changes based on whether something is selected or not. | ||
+ | |||
+ | If nothing is selected: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * **Add geometry:** Add generators as described above. | ||
+ | * **Organize: | ||
+ | * **Zoom all:** Zoom out to see all of the generators (double clicking empty space is a shortcut for this operation). | ||
+ | * **Paste:** Pastes and copied generators. | ||
+ | |||
+ | If a generator is selected: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * **Add geometry to selected:** Adds generators as described above. | ||
+ | * **Save selected as template...: | ||
+ | * **Organize: | ||
+ | * **Zoom all:** Zooms out to see all of the generators (double clicking empty space is a shortcut for this operation). | ||
+ | * **Hand drawing:** Converts procedural generators to hand-drawn generators where applicable and assigns [[kchanddrawing|hand drawing]] targets and lock states. | ||
+ | * **Toggle visibility: | ||
+ | * **Clear node edits:** Removes any node edits made to the nodes created by this generator. | ||
+ | * **Select nodes with edits:** Switches to [[kcgenerators_vs._nodes|node editing mode]] and selects all of the nodes that have been node edited. | ||
+ | * **Select and reveal hidden nodes:** Switches to node editing mode and ensures all of the nodes are no longer hidden. | ||
+ | * **Randomize selected:** Randomizes only the selected generators. | ||
+ | * **Variance: | ||
+ | * **Select:** Quickly selects all generators of the same type currently selected. | ||
+ | * **Cut:** Copies a generator to the buffer and delete it. | ||
+ | * **Copy:** Copies a generator to the buffer. | ||
+ | * **Paste:** Pastes the contents of the buffer (new generators are created). | ||
+ | * **Paste into:** Pastes the contents of the buffer into the selected generator (no new generators created). | ||
+ | * **Duplicate: | ||
+ | * **Rename:** Pops up a dialog box where you can type in a new name for the generator. | ||
+ | * **Delete:** Deletes the currently selected generators and links. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Randomize ==== | ||
+ | Randomizes the whole model if no generators are selected or only the selected generators otherwise. | ||