The Batch Input node can be used in conjunction with Batch Output to quickly process multiple Bitmaps or Materials through the same set of node operations. Executing a Batch Input node requires a Batch Output node to be present at the end of the execution chain.
To batch process a set of Bitmaps or Materials, follow these steps:
The Batch Input node can only process valid image files found in the top level folder at which the Input Path property is pointing.
A valid image file has one of the following file extensions: PNG, JPG, TGA, TIF, or EXR.
During the import process, the node will ignore any sub-folders or non-image files present in the top level input folder.
Here is an example of how an input folder might be structured:
input_path/ input_path/albedo_01.tga input_path/albedo_02.png input_path/albedo_03.tif |
In this case, if the Input Path property points at the input_path folder, then all of the files in it are valid images and can batch import successfully.
However, there may be other files in the Input Path, such as:
input_path/folder_01 input_path/file_01.exe |
In the above case, the node excludes folder_01 and file_01.exe from the import, because one is a subfolder and the other is not a valid image file.
To batch import Materials, each Material (consisting of its individual texture files) should be in an individual sub-folder. Sub-folders must be located in the top level folder at which the Input Path property is pointing.
Here is an example of how an input folder might be structured:
input_path/ input_path/mat_01 input_path/mat_01/albedo.tga input_path/mat_01/normal.tga input_path/mat_01/height.tga input_path/mat_02 input_path/mat_02/albedo.tga input_path/mat_02/normal.tga input_path/mat_02/height.tga |
In this example, if the Input Path property points at the input_path folder, then the node will import mat_01 and mat_02 as Materials, each consisting of the textures (albedo.tga, normal.tga, height.tga) found inside those folders.
Please note that batch processing for Materials contained in .AMTL files is not currently supported.
Node category | Import |
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Node execution style | Manual |
Output Type | Description |
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Bitmap / Material | This node outputs all of the Bitmaps or Materials imported from the Input Path into the subsequent nodes in the chain. |
Property/Setting | Description |
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Input Type | Choose whether this node imports Bitmaps or Materials. |
Input Path | Choose the folder from which this node imports files. You can specify the path manually, or navigate to the correct location using the Browse button on the right. |
Map Type | This property becomes available when Bitmap is selected as the Input Type. Choose the specific type of texture map which the Batch Input node imports. |
Materials | This property only appears when Material is selected as the Input Type. It displays the number of Materials detected in the Input Path. |