Clusters Decoration

Clusters Decoration places parts from a library, such as twigs, fronds or leaf bundles, and bends each one along the branch it sits on. It was Natsura's first decorator, from before mapping and effectors, and Clusters Decoration 2.0 (since 0.7.2) is the groundwork for bringing it up to date. For most foliage, the Assembly Decoration is the tool. Clusters Decoration 1.0 stays as the 0.6 tool, so older scenes keep working.

Setting one up

Wire the parts into the decoration's first input. Select the Grows and choose Clusters Decoration from the toolbar's Decorate menu, or drag an existing one into an empty slot under Decorations on the Grow.

Forward Axis, under Inputs, says which way the incoming parts were built. A packed part carries no reliable orientation, so set it when a library arrives facing the wrong way. Libraries made before 0.7.2 need Forward Axis set to +Z. Unpack Input sets how packed parts are opened: Flatten, Preserve or Custom.

Choosing parts

Multiple Parts sets what happens with several parts: Cluster Each, or Select Random. Traits, under Distribution, work as on the Assembly Decoration, with the same chart inside: Add Trait, then press Enter (or Launch) to place parts on it. See Traits.

Output

Output Mode is Clustered Instances by default: similar branches are grouped, and each group shares one bent copy of the part, so the copies stay instances. Instances sets how many groups there are. Colour Clusters tints the output so you can see which parts share a group. Flatten (Unpacked) outputs plain geometry instead.

Under Advanced, Restarts is the main quality setting: raise it when the groups change from one cook to the next. Fit Mode is Chord Locked by default, which puts each part's ends exactly on its branch; Best Fit and Best Fit (No Scale) spread the error along the curve and leave the ends adrift.

Status

Clusters Decoration 2.0 is groundwork, and more of its controls are on the way, including more part picking and shaping. Up Axis does nothing yet.