Null COMP
Summary
The Null Component serves as a place-holder in a scene. It can be used to transform (translate, rotate, scale) Components attached to it.
A Null Component can also be used as a "look at" object to help point other Components like cameras or lights.
The Null Component is also used as an End Affector for constructing chains of bones.
Parameters - Xform Page
The Xform parameter page controls the object component's transform in world space.
xord
- ⊞ - This allows you to specify the order in which the changes to your Component will take place. Changing the Transform Order will change where things go much the same way as going a block and turning east gets you to a different place than turning east and then going a block. In matrix math terms, if we use the 'multiply vector on the right' (column vector) convention, a transform order of Scale, Rotate, Translate would be written as T * R * S * Position
.
- Scale Rotate Translate
srt
-
- Scale Translate Rotate
str
-
- Rotate Scale Translate
rst
-
- Rotate Translate Scale
rts
-
- Translate Scale Rotate
tsr
-
- Translate Rotate Scale
trs
-
rord
- ⊞ - This allows you to set the transform order for the Component's rotations. As with transform order (above), changing the order in which the Component's rotations take place will alter the Component's final position. A Rotation order of Rx Ry Rz would create the final rotation matrix as follows R = Rz * Ry * Rx
- Rx Ry Rz
xyz
-R = Rz * Ry * Rx
- Rx Rz Ry
xzy
-R = Ry * Rz * Rx
- Ry Rx Rz
yxz
-R = Rz * Rx * Ry
- Ry Rz Rx
yzx
-R = Rx * Rz * Ry
- Rz Rx Ry
zxy
-R = Ry * Rx * Rz
- Rz Ry Rx
zyx
-R = Rx * Ry * Rz
t
- ⊞ - This allows you to specify the amount of movement along any of the three axes; the amount, in degrees, of rotation around any of the three axes; and a non-uniform scaling along the three axes. As an alternative to entering the values directly into these fields, you can modify the values by manipulating the Component in the Viewport with the Select & Transform state.
- X
tx
-
- Y
ty
-
- Z
tz
-
r
- ⊞ - Theis specifies the amount of movement along any of the three axes; the amount, in degrees, of rotation around any of the three axes; and a non-uniform scaling along the three axes. As an alternative to entering the values directly into these fields, you can modify the values by manipulating the Component in the Viewport with the Select & Transform state.
- X
rx
-
- Y
ry
-
- Z
rz
-
s
- ⊞ - This specifies the amount of movement along any of the three axes; the amount, in degrees, of rotation around any of the three axes; and a non-uniform scaling along the three axes. As an alternative to entering the values directly into these fields, you can modify the values by manipulating the Component in the Viewport with the Select & Transform state.
- X
sx
-
- Y
sy
-
- Z
sz
-
p
- ⊞ - The Pivot point edit fields allow you to define the point about which a Component scales and rotates. Altering the pivot point of a Component produces different results depending on the transformation performed on the Component.
For example, during a scaling operation, if the pivot point of an Component is located at -1, -1, 0
and you wanted to scale the Component by 0.5
(reduce its size by 50%), the Component would scale toward the pivot point and appear to slide down and to the left.
In the example above, rotations performed on an Component with different pivot points produce very different results.
- X
px
-
- Y
py
-
- Z
pz
-
scale
- This field allows you to change the size of an Component uniformly along the three axes.
Note: Scaling a camera's channels is not generally recommended. However, should you decide to do so, the rendered output will match the Viewport as closely as possible when scales are involved.
parentxformsrc
- ⊞ - Select what position is used as the transform source for this obejct. Can be one of "Parent (Hierarchy)", "Specify Parent Object", or "World Origin".
- From Parent Object (Hierarchy)
hierarchy
-
- Specify Parent Object
specify
-
- World Origin
worldorigin
-
parentobject
- Allows the location of the object to be constrained to any other object whose path is specified in this parameter.
lookat
- Allows you to orient this Component by naming another 3D Component you would like it to Look At, or point to. Once you have designated this Component to look at, it will continue to face that Component, even if you move it. This is useful if, for instance, you want a camera to follow another Component's movements. The Look At parameter points the Component in question at the other Component's origin.
Tip: To designate a center of interest for the camera that doesn't appear in your scene, create a Null Component and disable its display flag. Then Parent the Camera to the newly created Null Component, and tell the camera to look at this Component using the Look At parameter. You can direct the attention of the camera by moving the Null Component with the Select state. If you want to see both the camera and the Null Component, enable the Null Component's display flag, and use the Select state in an additional Viewport by clicking one of the icons in the top-right corner of the TouchDesigner window.
forwarddir
- ⊞ - Sets which axis and direction is considered the forward direction.
- +X
posx
-
- -X
negx
-
- +Y
posy
-
- -Y
negy
-
- +Z
posz
-
- -Z
negz
-
lookup
- ⊞ - When specifying a Look At, it is possible to specify an up vector for the lookat. Without using an up vector, it is possible to get poor animation when the lookat Component, for example, passes through the Y axis of the target Component.
- Don't Use Up Vector - Use this option if the look at Component does not pass through the Y axis of the target Component.
- Use Up Vector - This precisely defines the rotates on the Component doing the looking. The Up Vector specified should not be parallel to the look at direction. See Up Vector below.
- Use Quaternions - Quaternions are a mathematical representation of a 3D rotation. This method finds the most efficient means of moving from one point to another on a sphere.
- Don't use up vector
off
-
- Use up vector
on
-
- Use quaternions
quat
-
- Use Roll
roll
-
pathsop
- Names the SOP that functions as the path you want this Component to move along. For instance, you can name a SOP that provides a path for the camera to follow.
roll
- Using the angle control you can specify a Component's rotation as it animates along the path.
pos
- This parameter lets you specify the Position of the Component along the path. The values you can enter for this parameter range from 0
to 1
, where 0
equals the starting point and 1
equals the end point of the path. The value slider allows for values as high as 10
for multiple "passes" along the path.
pathorient
- If this option is selected, the Component will be oriented along the path. The positive Z axis of the Component will be pointing down the path.
up
- ⊞ - When orienting a Component, the Up Vector is used to determine where the positive Y axis points.
- X
upx
-
- Y
upy
-
- Z
upz
-
bank
- The Auto-Bank Factor rolls the Component based on the curvature of the path at its current position. To turn off auto-banking, set the bank scale to 0
.
Parameters - Pre-Xform Page
The Pre-Xform parameter page applies a transform to the object component the same way connecting another Object as a parent of this node does. The transform is applied to the left of the Xform page's parameters. In terms of matrix math, if we use the 'multiply on the right' (column vector) convention, the equation would be preXForm * xform * Position
.
pxform
- Enables the transformation on this page.
pxord
- ⊞ - Refer to the documentation on Xform page for more information.
- Scale Rotate Translate
srt
-
- Scale Translate Rotate
str
-
- Rotate Scale Translate
rst
-
- Rotate Translate Scale
rts
-
- Translate Scale Rotate
tsr
-
- Translate Rotate Scale
trs
-
prord
- ⊞ - Refer to the documentation on Xform page for more information.
- Rx Ry Rz
xyz
-
- Rx Rz Ry
xzy
-
- Ry Rx Rz
yxz
-
- Ry Rz Rx
yzx
-
- Rz Rx Ry
zxy
-
- Rz Ry Rx
zyx
-
pt
- ⊞ - Refer to the documentation on Xform page for more information.
- X
ptx
-
- Y
pty
-
- Z
ptz
-
pr
- ⊞ - Refer to the documentation on Xform page for more information.
- X
prx
-
- Y
pry
-
- Z
prz
-
ps
- ⊞ - Refer to the documentation on Xform page for more information.
- X
psx
-
- Y
psy
-
- Z
psz
-
pp
- ⊞ - Refer to the documentation on Xform page for more information.
- X
ppx
-
- Y
ppy
-
- Z
ppz
-
pscale
- Refer to the documentation on Xform page for more information.
preset
- This button will reset this page's transform so it has no translate/rotate/scale.
pcommit
- This button will copy the transform from this page to the main Xform page, and reset this page's transform.
xformmatrixop
- This parameter can be used to transform using a 4x4 matrix directly. For information on ways to specify a matrix directly, refer to the Matrix Parameters page. This transform will be applied after the regular Pre-Transform transformation. That is, it'll be applied in the oder XformMatrix * PreXForm * Position.
Parameters - Render Page
The Display parameter page controls the component's material and rendering settings.
render
- Whether the Component's geometry is visible in the Render TOP. This parameter works in conjunction (logical AND) with the Component's Render Flag.
drawpriority
- Determines the order in which the Components are drawn. Smaller values get drawn after larger values. The value is compared with other Components in the same parent Component, or if the Component is the top level one listed in the Render TOP's 'Geometry' parameter, then against other top-level Components listed there. This value is most often used to help with Transparency.
pickpriority
- When using a Render Pick CHOP or a Render Pick DAT, there is an option to have a 'Search Area'. If multiple objects are found within the search area, the pick priority can be used to select one object over another. A higher value will get picked over a lower value. This does not affect draw order, or objects that are drawn over each other on the same pixel. Only one will be visible for a pick per pixel.
wcolor
- ⊞ - Use the R, G, and B fields to set the Component's color when displayed in wireframe shading mode.
- Red
wcolorr
-
- Green
wcolorg
-
- Blue
wcolorb
-
lightmask
- By default all lights used in the Render TOP will affect geometry renderer. This parameter can be used to specify a sub-set of lights to be used for this particular geometry. The lights must be listed in the Render TOP as well as this parameter to be used.
Parameters - Extensions Page
The Extensions parameter page sets the component's python extensions. Please see extensions for more information.
ext
- Sequence of info for creating extensions on this component
ext0object
- A number of class instances that can be attached to the component.
ext0name
- Optional name to search by, instead of the instance class name.
ext0promote
- Controls whether or not the extensions are visible directly at the component level, or must be accessed through the .ext
member. Example: n.Somefunction
vs n.ext.Somefunction
reinitextensions
- Recompile all extension objects. Normally extension objects are compiled only when they are referenced and their definitions have changed.
Parameters - Common Page
The Common parameter page sets the component's node viewer and clone relationships.
parentshortcut
- Specifies a name you can use anywhere inside the component as the path to that component. See Parent Shortcut.
opshortcut
- Specifies a name you can use anywhere at all as the path to that component. See Global OP Shortcut.
iop
- Sequence header for internal operators.
iop0shortcut
- Specifies a name you can use anywhere inside the component as a path to "Internal OP" below. See Internal Operators.
nodeview
- ⊞ - Determines what is displayed in the node viewer, also known as the Node Viewer. Some options will not be available depending on the Component type (Object Component, Panel Component, Misc.)
- Default Viewer
default
- Displays the default viewer for the component type, a 3D Viewer for Object COMPS and a Control Panel Viewer for Panel COMPs.
- Operator Viewer
opviewer
- Displays the node viewer from any operator specified in the Operator Viewer parameter below.
opviewer
- Select which operator's node viewer to use when the Node View parameter above is set to Operator Viewer.
enablecloning
- Control if the OP should be actively cloneing. Turning this off causes this node to stop cloning it's 'Clone Master'.
enablecloningpulse
- Instantaneously clone the contents.
loadondemand
- Loads the component into memory only when required. Good to use for components that are not always used in the project.
enableexternaltox
- When on (default), the external .tox file will be loaded when the .toe starts and the contents of the COMP will match that of the external .tox. This can be turned off to avoid loading from the referenced external .tox on startup if desired (the contents of the COMP are instead loaded from the .toe file). Useful if you wish to have a COMP reference an external .tox but not always load from it unless you specifically push the Re-Init Network parameter button.
enableexternaltoxpulse
- This button will re-load from the external .tox
file (if present).
externaltox
- Path to a .tox
file on disk which will source the component's contents upon start of a .toe
. This allows for components to contain networks that can be updated independently. If the .tox
file can not be found, whatever the .toe
file was saved with will be loaded.
reloadcustom
- When this checkbox is enabled, the values of the component's Custom Parameters are reloaded when the .tox is reloaded. This only affects top-level parameters on the component, all parameters on nodes inside the component are always reloaded with the .tox.
reloadbuiltin
- When this checkbox is enabled, the values of the component's built-in parameters are reloaded when the .tox is reloaded. This only affects top-level parameters on the component, all parameters on nodes inside the component are always reloaded with the .tox.
savebackup
- When this checkbox is enabled, a backup copy of the component specified by the External .tox
parameter is saved in the .toe
file. This backup copy will be used if the External .tox
can not be found. This may happen if the .tox
was renamed, deleted, or the .toe
file is running on another computer that is missing component media.
subcompname
- When loading from an External .tox
file, this option allows you to reach into the .tox
and pull out a COMP and make that the top-level COMP, ignoring everything else in the file (except for the contents of that COMP). For example if a .tox
file named project1.tox
contains project1/geo1
, putting geo1
as the Sub-Component to Load, will result in geo1
being loaded in place of the current COMP. If this parameter is blank, it just loads the .tox
file normally using the top level COMP in the file.
relpath
- ⊞ - Set whether the child file paths within this COMP are relative to the .toe itself or the .tox, or inherit from parent.
- Use Parent's Behavior
inherit
- Inherit setting from parent.
- Relative to Project File (.toe)
project
- The path, when specified as a relative path, will be relative to the .toe file.
- Relative to External COMP File (.tox)
externaltox
- The path, when specified as a relative path, will be relative to the .tox file. When no external COMP file is specified, or when Enable External .tox is not toggled on, this doesn't have any impact.
Info CHOP Channels
Extra Information for the Null COMP can be accessed via an Info CHOP.
Common COMP Info Channels
- num_children - Number of children in this component.
Common Operator Info Channels
- total_cooks - Number of times the operator has cooked since the process started.
- cook_time - Duration of the last cook in milliseconds.
- cook_frame - Frame number when this operator was last cooked relative to the component timeline.
- cook_abs_frame - Frame number when this operator was last cooked relative to the absolute time.
- cook_start_time - Time in milliseconds at which the operator started cooking in the frame it was cooked.
- cook_end_time - Time in milliseconds at which the operator finished cooking in the frame it was cooked.
- cooked_this_frame - 1 if operator was cooked this frame.
- warnings - Number of warnings in this operator if any.
- errors - Number of errors in this operator if any.
TouchDesigner Build: