Post Process Volume for TouchDesigner

A custom TouchDesigner tool that allows you to apply visual effects to a defined region of your 3D environment.

You can use either the built-in cinematic effects or your own custom effects.

Inspired by Unreal Engine’s Post Process Volume, this component brings a similar workflow into TouchDesigner.

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Get the latest release from the Releases section on my github.

2. What’s Inside

The release package contains:

• PostProcessVolume_Sample_Project (.toe)
• PostProcessVolume (.tox)

3. Explore the Sample Project

Open the .toe file to see the component in action.The sample project demonstrates all features and shows how to connect the component to your scene.

4. Add the Component to Your Own Project

Drag the .tox file into your TouchDesigner project.

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This tab sets up the initial connection between your 3D scene and the component.

• GEO for World Position:The component uses World Position data extensively. Assign your main geometry here.
  • If the geometry has an input, connect it to the component’s SOP input.
  • If it’s self-contained, no input is needed.
• Replicate:Recreates the World Position setup if needed.

Render TOP SetupConfigure the rendering pipeline for your scene:

• Res: Overall resolution of the component (matches your 3D environment).
• Geometry: Main geometry of the scene.
• Camera: Primary camera (must be named cam1).
• Light: Main scene light.

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• Unbound: Apply the effect to the entire 3D scene.

• Custom SOP: Assign your own SOP as the volume.

• Custom SOP or Basic Shapes: Switch between default shapes or your SOP.

• Shapes: Default shapes: Box, Sphere, Torus.

   Tip: Edit shapes manually inside the component under the Volume section if needed.

• T (Translate): Move the volume.

• R (Rotate): Rotate the volume.

• S (Scale): Scale along individual axes.

• Uniform Scale: Scale uniformly.

• Show Bounding Volume: Display the volume bounds.

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Basic Cinematic Effects

• Chromatic Aberration
• Vignette
• Lens Distortion
• Sharpen
• Blur
• Film Grain

Custom Effects

• Custom FX TOP: Drop your custom TOP here.
• Blend Mode: Normal, Add, Multiply, Overlay, Screen.
• Effect Strength: Adjust the intensity of your custom effect.

CompositionChoose which effects to apply:

• Select Effect Mode: Cinematic, Custom, or Both.

• Both Blend Mode: Blend mode used when both effects are combined.

• Master Strength: Controls the overall intensity of all active effects.

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Control a custom-designed lens flare effect.

Lens Flares Controls

• Lens Flares: On/Off
• Strength: Overall intensity of the lens flare
• Blend Mode: Scene blending
• Threshold: Sets the brightness threshold used to detect highlights.
• Blur Size: Flare blur
• Ghosts: Number of rings
• Ghost Spacing: Ring spacing
• Chromatic Shift: RGB shift
• Hue/Sat/Gain: Adjust color parameters

Bokeh Shape Setup

• Bokeh Shape: Enable/disable custom bokeh
• Shape Strength: Intensity
• Combine with Input:
  • Set Resolution Only: Display only the custom bokeh shape.
  • Composite and Set Resolution: Combine the custom bokeh with the main bokeh.
• Composite: Blend mode for bokeh shapes
• Radius: Shape radius
• Sides: Number of sides
• Border: Outline thickness
• Rotate: Rotate shape
• Translate: Move shape

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Enhance the final look by adjusting color parameters.

Controls

• Temperature: Warmth/coolness
• Tint Color & Strength: Tint adjustments
• Saturation: Color saturation
• Contrast: Contrast level
• Gamma: Midtone brightness
• Gain: Overall brightness

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• Keep your geometry as low-poly as possible to reduce computation.
• Avoid using very high-resolution TOPs for custom effects unless necessary.
• Use Unbound only when needed; limiting the volume reduces GPU load.

2. Live Shows / Real-Time Playback

• For live performance, consider lowering Resolution or Effect Strength to maintain high FPS.
• Monitor GPU usage to prevent frame drops.

3. Effect Management

• Use Composition to combine cinematic and custom effects efficiently.
• Adjust Master Strength carefully to avoid overly strong effects that may wash out the scene.
• For lens flares, tweak Threshold and Blur Size for better visibility without overwhelming the scene.

4. Color Correction Tips

• Adjust Temperature and Tint gradually.
• Use Gamma to fine-tune midtones without affecting shadows or highlights too drastically.
• Test color correction under final output conditions (LED wall, projection, etc.) to see real impact.

5. Troubleshooting

• Ensure cam1 is assigned correctly.
• Connect all SOPs/custom geometry properly.