SqueoAmanda_Exercise One

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Amanda Squeo, Exercise One, Page 1

Exercise One: Phyllotactic Pattern DemoThis interface is divided into several sections, neatly divided by

separators and clearly labeled for the user. The default values are

shown to the right.

Basic Controls

The user can switch between the two particles simple sphere (0)

and spiked mace ball (1). The user can adjust the spread of the

pattern, the size of the individual florets, the number of florets,

and the angle of the phyllotactic pattern formula. Using Vogels

Formula the phyllotactic pattern is based upon this algorithm

found within the Phyllotactic_CopyNode:

Translate X: ch(../FSpread) * sqrt($CY) * cos(CY * ch(../FAngle))

Translate Y: ch(../FSpread) * sqrt($CY) * sin(CY * ch(../FAngle))

Overall ControlsThese controls offer translations and rotations in X, Y, and Z for

the overall patterns being. These controls exist due to

Overall_Controls node located at the end of the Phyllotactics

node tree.

Color RampThere are two colors that can be customized to conform to the

pattern regardless of the number of florets. The color to the left

originates in the center, the color to the right is represented at the

very edge of the pattern. The following formula established color

links to the florets in the Color_Ramp node:

Color R: chramp("../colorRamp",

stamp("../Phyllotactic_CopyNode", "colorIndex", 0), 0)

Color G: chramp("../colorRamp",


Color B: chramp("../colorRamp",


Special ControlsThis section contains special controls that yield interesting results. Bend in X and Bend in Yallow the

user to bend the pattern in the respective direction either positively or negatively; these controls can

also be used individually or together. Unfortunately due to the nature of the Bend node, this attribute

cannot be used if the floret is the spiked mace ball, since itll stretch them beyond recognition.

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Amanda Squeo, Exercise One, Page 2

Floret Rotation Randomnessis a slider that controls how random the rotations are of the individual

florets. The higher the number, the more degrees (0-360) for the algorithm to calculate with, therefore a

wider array of random numbers. For example, the rotations of the florets will be more dramatic and

more obvious - if the value of Floret Rotation Randomness was 270 versus 27.

Rotate X, Y, and Z in the Phyllotactic_TransformNode: stamp("../Phyllotactic_CopyNode", rotateshape, 0)Phyllotactic_CopyNode rotateshape Stamp: rand($CY)*ch("../FRotateRand")

Chaotic Spreadis an attribute that can only be used when the Floret Rotation Randomness value is

higher than 0. This chaoticness appears to be the random spreading of the florets in various

directions; this is actually caused by the combination of the individuals rotation orientation and the

movement of the patterns pivot in the Phyllotactic_TransformNode. The higher the Floret Rotation

Randomness value, the more chaoticness in the scene. From the cameras point of view, the florets

appear as if they were wandering around in different directions.

Phyllotactic_TransformNode Pivot X, Y, and Z:stamp("../Phyllotactic_CopyNode", pivotpoint, 0)

Phyllotactic_CopyNode Stamp:ch("../XTromPivot")

Cone Expansionis rather self-explanatory, the pattern extends either positively or negatively in a cone

shape. The expression behind this feature can yield a dramatically long cone, so to help reduce that

expansion is the Cone Expan. Reductionoption. This can only be used alongside Cone Expansion and

serves as additional control. By increasing the value of Cone Expan. Reduction, the more the cones

expansion is reduced. This cone option exists within the Phyllotactic_TranslateNode in Translate X.

Phyllotactic_TransformNode Translate Z: stamp("../Phyllotactic_CopyNode", coneExpan, 0)

Phyllotactic_CopyNode Stamp: (ch("../ConeExpan") * sqrt($CY))/ch("../ExpanReduc")

Spike Controls

This section only applies to the physical appearance of the spike mace ball. The ball itself is simply made

of a cylinder and a sphere, in which the cylinder is applied to align with the individual points of the

spheres mesh. The expressions within the cylinders attributes are incredibly blunt and straightforward.

This is true for all except for the Center Zs height which controls how close the spikes are to the surface

of the sphere: ch(height) * 0.35. The controls are very self-explanatory.

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SqueoAmanda_Exercise One