surface layer coverage function

[lkwebb21]

Is there a way to control the coverage only of a surface layer using a function?

I do not want to displace the surface layer.  I will be using a reflection shader once I can contol the coverage.

Or is there a way to define the reflection shader coverage using a function?

Any help would be great.

[Oshyan]

Use the Fractal Breakup input of the Surface Layer and set it to coverage 0.5, breakup 1. Alternatively you can use the Blend Shader input of any node to contril its distribution.

- Oshyan

[lkwebb21]

It worked!!!!

I don't understand, I tried this before and it didn't work with the default setting of coverage 1 and breakup .5.

Can you expain why changing coverage to .5 and breakup to 1 worked?

I'm new to this.  TIA

[Oshyan]

This is just the way the system is setup - coverage of 0.5 and breakup of 1 gives you the equivalent of a "masking" or "alpha" setup for that layer, as you may be used to in other programs. It lets the breakup input fully control the surface layer distribution, whereas with a coverage of 1 the breakup input is basically overriden by the full coverage setting.

TG2 allows for a very broad range of settings which might be considered "outside the norm", but can let you create lots of interesting and unusual effects. Personally I think the default in this case may not be totally intuitive and it may change later, but at least you know how it works now.

- Oshyan

[rcallicotte]

Yeah.  Thanks for explaining.  I'm learning loads just reading the posts today.

This is just the way the system is setup - coverage of 0.5 and breakup of 1 gives you the equivalent of a "masking" or "alpha" setup for that layer, as you may be used to in other programs. It lets the breakup input fully control the surface layer distribution, whereas with a coverage of 1 the breakup input is basically overriden by the full coverage setting.

TG2 allows for a very broad range of settings which might be considered "outside the norm", but can let you create lots of interesting and unusual effects. Personally I think the default in this case may not be totally intuitive and it may change later, but at least you know how it works now.

- Oshyan