DirectionalMap

Overview

DirectionalMap blends colors based on alignment of the surface normal and a specified “prime direction.”

This is useful for view-dependent effects or physical phenomena like dust accumulating atop surfaces.

Note that DirectionalMap cannot know about downstream normal mapping; you must connect relevant normal maps to this node.

prime direction: axis of object
prime direction: axis of object
prime direction: observer
prime direction: observer
prime direction: look-at object
prime direction: look-at object

Attribute Reference

Adjustment attributes

bias

Float bindable
default: 0.5

controls the rate at which the effect increases as the shading normal approaches the prime direction

clamping_behavior

Int enum
  0 = “clamp” (default)
  1 = “absolute”

determines how surfaces facing opposite the prime direction are handled

falloff_type

Int enum
  0 = “cosine” (default)
  1 = “linear”

determines how the effect falls off as the difference angle increases

smoothstep_end

Float bindable
default: 0.55

the value at which the effect is considered 100% on

smoothstep_start

Float bindable
default: 0.45

the value at which the effect is considered 100% off

use_smoothstep

Bool
default: False

apply smoothstep function to result

Normal attributes

input_normal

NormalMap
default: None

specifies an alternate shading normal when bound. The binding multiplier is ignored

input_normal_dial

Float bindable
default: 1.0

controls the amount of influence of the alternate normal

General attributes

color_a

Rgb bindable
default: [ 0, 0, 0 ]

the color of the effect when the difference angle is greatest

color_b

Rgb bindable
default: [ 1, 1, 1 ]

the color of the effect when the difference angle is smallest

custom_direction

Vec3f bindable
default: [ 0, 1, 0 ]

specifies a custom direction in world space as the prime direction

object

Node
default: None

the object to use when 'prime direction' is set to 'axis of object' or 'look-at object'

object_axis

Int enum
  0 = “+X axis”
  1 = “-X axis” (default)
  2 = “+Y axis”
  3 = “-Y axis”
  4 = “+Z axis”
  5 = “-Z axis”

which axis to use when 'prime direction' is set to 'axis of object'

polarity

Int enum
  0 = “perpendicular” (default)
  1 = “parallel”

determines which directions are given color A and which are given color B. Switching this effectively swaps the colors

prime_direction

Int enum
  0 = “observer direction” (default)
  1 = “custom direction”
  2 = “axis of object”
  3 = “look-at object”

which source is used for the prime direction

use_reference_space

Bool
default: False

use reference space position and normals