Create POP lines pointcloud (Plexus)
create_pop_lines_pointcloudGenerates a Plexus-style line-web from a point cloud by finding nearest neighbors and rendering connected lines. Provides controls for density, color, and animation.
Instructions
Plexus-style line-web visual built on the POP family. A POP point cloud (auto-generated or sourced) is fed to a Neighbor POP that fills a per-point Nebr array attribute with closest-neighbor indices. A Script SOP converts that index list into deduplicated line primitives, rendered as a Geometry COMP through a Render TOP to a Null TOP — the classic Plexus look without third-party plugins. auto_pattern: 'noise' (default) = pointgeneratorPOP + noisePOP; 'sphere' = spherePOP; 'grid' = gridPOP. count is hard-capped at 8192 (CPU O(N·k) line emission). color_mode: flat | by_distance (warm→cool gradient) | by_neighbor_count (isolation ramp). Exposes live controls: MaxDistance, MaxNeighbors, Spin, PointSize, LineAlpha. POPs are Experimental — par names and Nebr array-attribute survival through poptoSOP are probe-first unverified; result carries extra.unverified.
Input Schema
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| name | No | Container base name; final path uses TD auto-suffix. | pop_lines |
| parent_path | No | Parent network for the system container. | /project1 |
| source_path | No | If set, must point to an existing POP/SOP that produces a point cloud. When omitted, a point cloud is auto-generated per auto_pattern. | |
| auto_pattern | No | Used only when source_path is undefined. noise = pointgeneratorPOP + noisePOP; sphere = spherePOP; grid = gridPOP. | noise |
| count | No | Approx point count when auto-generating. Hard-capped at 8192 (line emission is O(N·k) on CPU). | |
| max_distance | No | Radius (POP world units) the Neighbor POP searches for neighbors. Drives Plexus density. | |
| max_neighbors | No | Per-point neighbor cap (neighborPOP.maxneighbors). Higher = denser web. | |
| max_lines | No | Hard cap on emitted line primitives in the Script SOP (after dedupe). | |
| color_mode | No | Drives Cd attribute on the SOP. flat = single color; by_distance = per-line gradient; by_neighbor_count = per-point ramp on isolation. | flat |
| color | No | Line color used directly in flat mode, as warm endpoint in by_distance, as dense endpoint in by_neighbor_count. | |
| line_alpha | No | Constant MAT alpha; < 1 lets lines additively glow. | |
| spin | No | Y-axis degrees/sec spin of the whole field via Transform POP ry expression. | |
| point_size | No | Optional point overlay size rendered in addition to lines. 0 hides points. | |
| resolution | No | Render TOP resolution [width, height]. | |
| expose_controls | No | Skip control panel exposure when false. |