Hard Step Scalar
Overview[edit]
The Hard step scalar node is a function node which outputs either 1 or 0 depending on the input values. It can be used like a switch. The calculation the node performs is very simple:
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Main Input >= Step value
If the value from the Main Input is greater than or equal to Step value, then the node outputs 1. If the value is less than the Step value, then the node outputs 0.
Note that this node creates a hard transition between the two values. This can lead to visual artifacts in procedural textures, and often it is better to use the Smooth step scalar node, which creates smooth transitions.
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Settings:
- Name: This setting allows you to apply a descriptive name to the node, which can be helpful when using multiple Hard Step Scalar nodes in a project.
- Enable: When checked, the node is active and the hard step operation will take place. When unchecked the values assigned to its Main Input, if any, are passed through, otherwise a value of 0 is passed through.
- Step value: The value from the shader or function nodes assigned to this setting is used to evaluate the Main Input value as described above. In Terragen version 2.4.5.0 and later, if there is no Step value then a value of 0 is used for Step value.
Error conditions:
- It is an error for there to be no input value. In that case 0 is output from the node.
- In versions older than 2.4.5.0, it is an error for there to be no Step value value. In this case the Main input value is output from the node.
A scalar is a single number. 1, 200.45, -45, -0.2 are all examples of scalar values.
A single object or device in the node network which generates or modifies data and may accept input data or create output data or both, depending on its function. Nodes usually have their own settings which control the data they create or how they modify data passing through them. Nodes are connected together in a network to perform work in a network-based user interface. In Terragen 2 nodes are connected together to describe a scene.
A shader is a program or set of instructions used in 3D computer graphics to determine the final surface properties of an object or image. This can include arbitrarily complex descriptions of light absorption and diffusion, texture mapping, reflection and refraction, shadowing, surface displacement and post-processing effects. In Terragen 2 shaders are used to construct and modify almost every element of a scene.
