
	Using the N-Node

USING THE N NODE

1: Using as a direct input

The N-Node can be plugged directly into any input node to control a material. In this example, the N-Node has been plugged into the Bottom value of the cloud node. With the N-Node set to x=0, y=3, z=0, it outputs a number from -1 to 1. Plugged into the bottom input of the cloud node, the effect is to fade the cloud out gently as the surface approaches horizontal. Reduce the Y value to reduce the size of the bald patch.

Fig 1.1: N plugged into Cloud

Fig 1.2: Cloud Settings

2: Using with Blender node

Like any numerical node, the N Node can be plugged into the blending input of the Blender node to allow you to produce a material that looks different when facing in different directions (cliff faces or puddles spring to mind as uses).

In the sample given here, the N-Node is set up to produce a value ranging from -1 to 1, producing 1 for horizontal surfaces facing up. The output of the N-Node is plugging into the blending node of the blender node, so that Input 1 is used for the sides and bottom of the sphere, fading into Input 2 at the top.

Fig 2.1: N plugged into Blender

Fig 2.2: Blender Settings

3: Use with floor to get sharp edges

The Floor maths function rounds numbers down to the nearest whole number. With the N-Node this can be used to create sharp edges, as seen in figure 3.1. The setting to produce this effect are show in figure 3.2. Remember, with a single dimension, you need to set whichever of X, Y or Z to 3 to produce an output of 1 in that direction. Here, we have set Y to 3.5 to expand the area that gets rounded down to 1. Increase this number to get more white and less black, decrease it back towards 3 to shrink the area of white. If you set Y at exactly 3 with the torus, there will be no white, telling you that none of the facets on the Poser Torus are actually facing directly up.

Fig 3.1: N plugged into Floor

Fig 3.2: Floor Settings

You can plug the output of the floor node into the blending input of a blender node to produce a material with sharp edged distinctions based on the direction the surface is pointing.

Sample N-Node material 1

Using the N-Node

USING THE N NODE

1: Using as a direct input

2: Using with Blender node

3: Use with floor to get sharp edges