Introduction
TrueGroup is LightWave special node to better organize nodes in editor. It allows adding, removing, cloning, renaming, changing type of any input or output. There is no hardcoded limit of inputs and outputs. Using TrueGroup you can make your own custom materials or shaders, that look like real nodes. You can load and save group as one node for use in other projects, without having to carefully select nodes in group. Editing nodes in group is done in separate Node Editor independent from regular Surface Editor's Node Editor. You can have multiple nested TrueGroups, one inside of another, without limit. You can store group data in external storage file.
TrueGroup key features:
- Editing inputs at any time (adding, removing, cloning, changing type, renaming).
- Editing outputs at any time (adding, removing, cloning, changing type, renaming).
- Easier copying nodes (select and copy just one nodes, instead of complex setup).
- Nested groups.
- Building custom materials and shaders.
- Workaround to IFF sub-chunk 32 KB limitation in complex node setup.
- Working with real-time interactive renderers such as TrueHair Preview.
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Usage
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 On the left image you can see the plug-in control panel.
Input and Output pop-ups have list of all inputs and outputs that you have made, and couple additional options:
[new] to create new element (duplicate of currently selected element).
[delete] to delete currently selected element.
Type can be Scalar, Integer, Color, Vector or Material.
Name edit this field to rename currently selected input or output.
Edit Storage File field or click on Pick Storage File to open file requester. After specifing storage file, nodes will not be longer saved in LWO object file, but to that file. Only reference to file will be saved to LWO, saving a lot of space in sub-chunk. This allows bypassing IFF sub-chunk 32 KB limitation!
Storage file is saved in ASCII mode, therefore you can edit it in any text editor such as Notepad! So, if you accidently added node which is crashing LightWave during object loading, you can quite easily find it and remove, without loosing object, or carefully edited node setup.
Click on Flush Storage File to stop using reference to file.
Nodes are loaded from storage file when Load Object is performed in either Modeler or Layout. Same with Save Current Object or Save Object As...When rendering on render farm like Screamer Net storage file must be accessible to the all rendering nodes!
Press Edit Nodes button to open separate Node Editor where you can put group content.
To read inputs edited in group node panel, you have to add Group Params node. While starting it will scan inputs in group it belongs to, and build outputs with exactly same type and name, and connect them internally with group. So after adding new inputs in group, you have to add new Group Params.
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Videos
It's advised to download videos to disk using Save File As... and watch in off-line movie player.
Download 1st animation (25.347 MB) illustrating TrueGroup node at work! Animation made by Przemyslaw Gruchala.
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Gallery
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Click on the image to see it at full resolution. |
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History
Changes made in the 2.0 (9-Jul-2009)
- The first official Macintosh release.
- Added Storage File.
Changes made in the 1.0 (6-May-2009)
- The first official Windows release.
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Requirements
Minimum Windows Requirements
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Recommended Windows Requirements
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Installation
Installing the product
In order to install the program, please extract the archive to some location on your hard disk.
On Windows ®, the archive is in the ZIP format. You will need 3rd party software such as WinZIP, which you can download from http://www.winzip.com (it's not included in the package), or other compatible software to decompress the archive.
Windows XP ® has built-in ZIP support (simply right click on the archive’s icon, and choose ‘Extract all files...’).
On Macintosh ®, the archive is in the SIT format. You will need 3rd party software such as StuffIt, which you can download from http://www.stuffit.com (it's not included in the package), or compatible software to decompress the archive.
The LightWave ® plug-in does not require files to be in specific locations, which is a very nice feature. But for easier file management it is recommended that the plug-in files (i.e. those with .p extension) be copied to your LightWave ® plug-ins folder (f.e. LightWave\Plugins\).
Installing LightWave ® Layout plug-ins
Run the LightWave ® Layout executable. Select pop-down menu Layout > Plug-Ins ® Add Plug-Ins..., then find the folder containing the new plug-in files and select them. You should see a message from LightWave telling you that the plug-ins have been added successfully. The changes will be saved to your configuration file when you quit the program.
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Uninstalling the product
Uninstalling LightWave ® Layout plug-ins
Run the LightWave ® Layout executable. Select pop-down menu Layout > Plug-Ins > Edit Plug-Ins..., then select the plug-in files and press the Delete button. The changes will be saved to your configuration file when you quit the program. Now you can safely remove the files from your hard disk.
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Click on the image to see it at full resolution. |
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Ordering
Price
Currently the all products are available only in Windows 32 bit and Macintosh OS X versions!
The price for a single license (product installed on the one machine) is 30 USD (United States Dollars).
On-line ordering
This is the preferred ordering method. It has several advantages:
- Easy. You just need to type your personal and credit card details into the order form, and you will receive your goods within max. 48 hours.
- Fast. Usually, you will receive the purchased products within an hour (depending on the time difference between where you live, and the hours we are working)!
- Safe. You are sure your order won’t be stolen in transit, or held up by postal strikes etc.
- Support. Product updates will be sent automatically to your e-mail address.
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