Shader preview window

[reck]

I've been using TG2 for a while now but one area i've never really used is the shader preview window. I've never really understood when it should be used.

From what I can tell it shows a top-down view of the terrain at the 0,0 position. So if I add a shader it will show me what it's like at that specific point on the planet. But what is this window used for? Is it just to give you an idea what the shader is going to look like on the terrain? Isn't this view just the same as when you click the top-view button under the 3d preview window?

Also is there anyway to move the location of the shader preview window away from 0,0? If your scene is based on another area of the planet what's the use of showing a top-view of 0,0.

[bigben]

One use I have for it is to help move the camera around TER terrains. 
1: Set the preview to the current render camera
2: Select the TER terrain that you want to position the camera on
3: Right click on the terrain preview and open in a new window
4: Use whatever controls you normally use to change the orientation of the view, click on the camera and move it around.

As you move the camera, you'll see the result in the preview window as well (if you don't, check step 1) Handy for moving long distances to a specific part of the terrain.

you don't necessarily have to make a use of every feature, but it's nice to have so many to choose from 

[jo]

Hi,

I think shader preview windows will be considerably more useful when you change the area they display more freely. I do find them very handy for working with functions though.

Regards,

Jo

[cyphyr]

Although you cant move the preview to different areas you can move the area to the preview. Just add a transform shader and offset your fractal by your area of interest relative position. Just make sure you disable it before final render.
richard

[reck]

OK, thanks for the info.

I've been opening up the shader preview window a bit more while I play with the painter shader to create masks. It was then when I realised that I couldn't control the location of shader preview window.

Jo just re-read you message.

...shader preview windows will be considerably more useful when you change the area they display more freely.

Are you saying I can "change the area they display" already or we will, one day, be able to change the area they display?

[bigben]

It's currently centred at 0,0 and you can't scroll (but you can zoom)

For TER files it displays the extent of the currently selected terrain, so it is still useful for terrains that are not located at 0,0

[Oshyan]

OK, thanks for the info.

I've been opening up the shader preview window a bit more while I play with the painter shader to create masks. It was then when I realised that I couldn't control the location of shader preview window.

Jo just re-read you message.

...shader preview windows will be considerably more useful when you change the area they display more freely.

Are you saying I can "change the area they display" already or we will, one day, be able to change the area they display?

I believe this is something we will address in the future. The shader previews could definitely be a lot more useful.

- Oshyan

[Mohawk20]

If you zoom out quite a bit, until you see the camera icon, you can then use the short-cut keys to zoom in again. That works pretty good for me anyways.

[Matt]

You can already change the size of the patch that is rendered in the shader preview, by using the +/- buttons to zoom in/out. It is not yet possible to change where the preview patch is centred.

[jo]

Hi,

If you zoom out quite a bit, until you see the camera icon, you can then use the short-cut keys to zoom in again. That works pretty good for me anyways.

You can also use the mousewheel to zoom if the preview is focused ( i.e. you've clicked on it or tabbed to it first ).

Regards,

Jo