The Pattern Array node generates complex procedural patterns from a set of up to ten Bitmap inputs.
Contents
Description
To generate the output pattern, the node arranges the inputs on a rectangular grid. You can set the grid canvas size (the resolution of the produced output texture) as well as the size of each cell in the grid. The node populates each cell in the grid with one of the Bitmap inputs, then resizes the input to fit the cell dimensions.
The row/column tiling and offset properties control the arrangement of inputs in the pattern. The Distribution Seed property adds randomness to the input arrangement.
As an output, the node produces a new Bitmap texture with the procedurally generated pattern. You can check the output texture produced by the node in the 2D or 3D Viewport.
Usage
The Pattern Array node is useful when you want to generate textures that require some type of repetition - for example, wall tiles or brick surfaces. It can also be used to add a pattern over an existing texture or material, such as a wallpaper.
For information on how to get started using the Pattern Array node, see the following steps:
Create a new Pattern Array node on the Node Graph. To do so, move the mouse into the Node Graph, press Space, and choose Pattern Array. Alternatively, drag the Pattern Array node from the Node Library onto the graph. It can be found in the Procedural category.
Select the node by left-clicking it in the Node Graph. The node’s properties will now display in the Properties window. Change the Bitmap Count property to the number of inputs you wish to use to generate the pattern.
Set the Canvas Width and Canvas Height properties to the resolution you wish the output texture to have.
Create Bitmap inputs to use with the node. Either use an existing Bitmap from the graph, import a new Bitmap into the Asset Library, or create a Basic Shape node to use instead.
Connect the desired inputs to the Pattern Array node.
View the output texture that the node produces in the 2D and/or 3D Viewport.
Use the Properties window to modify the pattern generation behavior and see how the changes are reflected in the output. For more information on what each property does, see the Node Reference section below.
Node Reference
Node category | Procedural |
Node execution style | Automatic |
Ports
Input Name | Input Type | Description |
Map 1-10 | Bitmap | The Pattern Array node takes up to 10 Bitmap inputs, determined by the Bitmap Count property. These inputs will be used to generate the pattern texture. |
Output Type | Description |
Bitmap | The pattern texture the node generates from its Bitmap inputs. |
Properties
Property/Setting | Description |
Canvas Width | The width of the Pattern Array texture canvas, in pixels (min: 1, max: 8192). Enable the Link button on the left to update uniformly with Canvas Height. Disable the Link button to control these values separately. |
Canvas Height | The height of the Pattern Array texture canvas, in pixels (min: 1, max: 8192). Enable the Link button on the left to update uniformly with Canvas Width. Disable the Link button to control these values separately. |
Cell Width | The width of each cell in the pattern, in pixels (min: 1, max: Canvas Width). All Bitmap inputs will be resized to this width. Changing this value will also affect the Rows value accordingly. Enable the Link button on the left to update uniformly with Cell Height. Disable the Link button to control these values separately. |
Cell Height | The height of each cell in the pattern, in pixels (min: 1, max: Canvas Height). All Bitmap inputs will be resized to this height. Changing this value will also affect the Columns value accordingly. Enable the Link button on the left to update uniformly with Cell Width. Disable the Link button to control these values separately. |
Tiling Type | Specifies the direction in which to tile the Bitmap inputs in the pattern. The options are:
|
Distribution Seed | The seed used to randomize distribution of the Bitmap inputs in the pattern. A value of 0 will disable random distribution. Values 1 through 50 are the available seeds. |
Rows | The total number of rows in the pattern. Changing this value will also affect the Cell Width value accordingly, as a proportion of Canvas Width. |
Columns | The total number of columns in the pattern. Changing this value will also affect the Cell Height value accordingly, as a proportion of Canvas Height. |
Offset Type | Specifies the direction in which to apply an offset. The options are:
|
Row/Column Offset | The value, in pixels, which determines how far each row or column is offset. It is possible to set a negative value. Note that there must be at least two Offset Rows/Columns for the offset value to take effect. |
Offset Rows/Columns | The value which determines the number of rows or columns that will subsequently apply the selected offset. After reaching this many rows/columns, the offset is reset to zero and the operation repeats. When set to 1, offset will be disabled. |
Show Grid | The checkbox which, when enabled, displays a white-colored grid over the pattern texture. The grid indicates how cells in the pattern are arranged. Disabling the box turns off the grid. Note that the grid will apply to the pattern texture itself, and will be baked into the output. |
Bitmap Count | The number of Bitmap inputs that the Pattern Array node will accept (min: 1, max: 10). |
Bitmap Order | The order in which the Bitmap inputs are used in the pattern generation process. You can change it by left-clicking the Order button to the right of an item and selecting another item from the list to switch places with. |