Relax

v1.3.0

Modifiers

Summary

The Relax applies a relaxation algorithm to spread instances apart and prevent overlaps. It uses iterative solving to push overlapping instances away from each other, creating more evenly distributed spacing.

Optionally provide constraint geometry (surface) or a constraint volume (3D texture) to keep instances from flying off into space. Supports two solver modes: Simple for immediate single-frame relaxation, and Advect for progressive time-dependent solving.

Supports two methods: Neighbor (searches for nearby instances within a radius) and Field (uses a voxel-based field approach). Considers the PointScale attribute of each instance as its radius for overlap detection. If there is no PointScale attribute, the radius defaults to half of the search radius. Optional falloff-based modulation enables spatially varying relaxation effects.

Parameters

GroupGroup

If there are input groups, specifying a group name in this field will cause this POPX to act only upon the group specified.

Solver ModeSolvermode

Switches between Simple and Advect modes.

SimplesimpleAdvectadvect

Relax MethodRelaxmethod

Determines the relaxation algorithm: Neighbor (proximity-based search) or Field (voxel-based volume approach).

NeighbornebrFieldfield

Target Points Update POPPointsupdatepop

Reference to a POP node downstream in the network when Solver Mode is set to Advect. This reference will cause a feedback loop and re-injects the points next frame.

Do FalloffDofalloff

Enables falloff-based modulation of the relaxation effect.

Falloff AttributeFalloffattr

Specifies which attribute to use for falloff values that modulate the relaxation strength.

Affect PositionAffectposition

Enables relaxation forces to affect instance positions.

Relax IterationsRelaxiters

Number of relaxation passes to perform per frame. Higher values produce more thorough relaxation but increase computation time.

Override Point RadiusOverrideradius

Overrides the point radius used for overlap detection with a uniform value.

Point Radius AxisRadiusaxis

Selects which axis of the PointScale attribute to use as the point radius.

XxYyZz

Point Radius ScaleRadiusscale

Scale factor applied to the point radius for overlap detection.

Display Point RadiusDisplayradius

Displays the point radius as circles in the viewport.

Max Relax RadiusMaxrelaxradius

Maximum search distance for finding neighboring instances. Instances beyond this radius will not affect each other.

DistributionDistribution

Determines the distribution method for neighbor point selection.

Num Hash BucketsNumhashbuckets

Number of hash buckets used for spatial hashing in neighbor search.

Max NeighborsMaxneighbors

Maximum number of neighboring instances to consider when using Neighbor method.

Max Axis ResolutionMaxaxisres

Maximum voxel resolution along the longest axis when using Field method.

Kernel SizeKernelsize

Size of the convolution kernel used for field-based relaxation.

Lower BoundsFieldlowerbounds

Lower bounds of the field volume when using Field method.

Lower BoundsFieldlowerboundsxLower BoundsFieldlowerboundsyLower BoundsFieldlowerboundsz

Upper BoundsFieldupperbounds

Upper bounds of the field volume when using Field method.

Upper BoundsFieldupperboundsxUpper BoundsFieldupperboundsyUpper BoundsFieldupperboundsz

Relax StrengthRelaxstrength

Overall intensity of the relaxation effect. Higher values push instances apart more aggressively.

Attract PositionAttractposition

Position in 3D space that instances are attracted toward.

Attract PositionAttractpositionxAttract PositionAttractpositionyAttract PositionAttractpositionz

Attract StrengthAttractstrength

Strength of the attraction force toward the Attract Position.

Output Force AttributeOutputforceattribute

Outputs the relaxation force vector as a point attribute.

InitializeInitializepulse

Resets the Advect solver to initial state.

StartStartpulse

Begins Advect solver simulation from the current state.

PlayPlay

Toggles playback of the Advect solver simulation.

StepSteppulse

Advances the Advect solver by one frame.

Collision TypeCollisiontype

Selects the collision geometry type for constraining instance movement.

NonenonePOP (Windows Only)popBoxboxPlaneplaneSpheresphereTorustorus3D SDF3dsdfT3Dt3d2D SDF2dsdfT2Dt2d

Collision DampingCollisiondamping

Amount of velocity dampening applied when instances collide with the collision geometry.

SolidSolid

Treats the collision geometry as a solid volume, preventing instances from passing through.

ProjectProject

Projects instances onto the surface of the collision geometry.

Collision POPCollisionpop

Reference to a POP containing the collision geometry when using POP collision type.

Collision OffsetCollisionoffset

Offset distance from the collision surface to prevent z-fighting artifacts.

SizeSize

Size of the box collision geometry.

SizeSizexSizeSizeySizeSizez

RadiusRadius

Radius of the collision geometry per axis.

RadiusRadiusxRadiusRadiusyRadiusRadiusz

Corner RadiusCornerradius

Radius of rounded corners on the box collision geometry.

Collison TOPCollisontop

Reference to a TOP texture used as the collision field for SDF and texture collision types.

Use Custom BoundsUsecustombounds

Enables custom bounding box for the collision texture instead of using the texture's native bounds.

Lower BoundsLowerbounds

Lower bounds of the collision volume in world space.

Lower BoundsLowerboundsxLower BoundsLowerboundsyLower BoundsLowerboundsz

Upper BoundsUpperbounds

Upper bounds of the collision volume in world space.

Upper BoundsUpperboundsxUpper BoundsUpperboundsyUpper BoundsUpperboundsz

Transform OrderXord

Sets the order of scale, rotate, and translate operations for the collision geometry transform.

Scale Rotate TranslatesrtScale Translate RotatestrRotate Scale TranslaterstRotate Translate ScalertsTranslate Scale RotatetsrTranslate Rotate Scaletrs

Rotate OrderRord

Sets the order of rotation operations for the collision geometry transform.

Rx Ry RzxyzRx Rz RyxzyRy Rx RzyxzRy Rz RxyzxRz Rx RyzxyRz Ry Rxzyx

TranslateT

Translation of the collision geometry in world space.

TranslateTxTranslateTyTranslateTz

RotateR

Rotation of the collision geometry in degrees.

RotateRxRotateRyRotateRz

ScaleS

Scale of the collision geometry per axis.

ScaleSxScaleSyScaleSz

PivotP

Pivot point for the collision geometry transform.

PivotPxPivotPyPivotPz

Uniform ScaleScale

Uniform scale factor applied to the collision geometry.

Display GeometryDisplaygeo

Shows the collision geometry in the viewport for visualization.

Display ColorDisplaycolor

Display color for the collision geometry visualization.

Display ColorDisplaycolorrDisplay ColorDisplaycolorgDisplay ColorDisplaycolorb

BypassBypass

Pass through the first input to the output unchanged.

Free Extra GPU MemoryFreeextragpumem

Free memory that has accumulated when output memory has grown and shrunk.

Render PrimitivesRenderprimitives

Toggles rendering of POPX Geometry or shows it as point instances only.

Convert to Point PrimitivesConverttoptprim

Converts points to primitive points when Render Primitives is toggled off.

SRT / RSTSrtrst

Sets the transform order when using POPX Geometry as built-in TouchDesigner instances.

Inputs

Input 0POP

POPX/POP Geometry

Outputs

Output 0POP

POPX_out1