In PopcornFX, particle behavior is controlled by short programs called "scripts". These include the "Spawn scripts", "Evolve scripts" and "Layer Scripts".
The scripts are edited inside the PopcornFX editor with the Script editor

This page is for version v1.13.0 and above
For the latest version of PopcornFX, see: Scripting reference
For previous versions of PopcornFX, see the following pages:

Overview

The popcorn-script syntax borrows most of its concepts from a mix between C++ and high-level shader languages such as GLSL or HLSL.

Every name/symbol in popcorn-scripts is case-sensitive, and each statement must end with a semicolon.

For the language syntax reference, see the Scripting language reference page.

Particle-related functions and variables

In the following tables you will find an extensive list of things you can use inside a particle-script. Sometimes a link will be provided to a page that contains more details on a specific item.

How to read the tables:

The Spawn column tells which of these are available inside a particle Spawn-script.
The Evolve column tells which of these are available inside a particle Evolve-script.
R means you can read the variable.
RW means you can read AND write the variable.

Optional parameters are written inside brackets.

For example:
SamplerName.remapDensity(float2 uv [, int filterMode [, int wrapMode]])

Means you have three ways to call the 'remapDensity' function:

MySampler.remapDensity(uv);
MySampler.remapDensity(uv, textureFilter.Point);
MySampler.remapDensity(uv, textureFilter.Point, textureFilter.Clamp);

Whereas:
spatialLayers.LayerName.FieldName.sumKernel(float3 center, float radius, samplerCurve1D kernelSampler)

Means there is only a single way to call the 'sumKernel' function:

spatialLayers.MyLayer.MyField.sumKernel(center, radius, MyCurve);

Particle spawn and evolve scripts

Particle

Spawn	Evolve	type	description
Fields
RW	RW		all the particle fields
	RW	`float`	`LifeRatio` Life-ratio of the particle, in the [0, 1] range. Does not exist inside Spawn-scripts.
RW	RW	`float`	`Life` Life duration of the particle. virtual particle field, for scripting convenience, maps to `1.0 / InvLife`
	R	`float`	`Age` Age of the particle in seconds
	R	`float`	`dt` length of the simulation frame in seconds
ParentFields
R			all the particle parent-fields
Functions
		`void`	`kill(``int condition``)` kills the particle if 'condition' is not `false`. Not available in spawn-scripts. To instant-kill inside a spawn-script, use `Life = 0;`

Spawner

Spawn	type	description
R	`float`	`spawner.Age` Time in seconds the spawner has been spawning particles. Useful for infinite spawner whose liferatio stays at zero. (Was `SpawnerRunningTime` before v1.8.0)
R	`float`	`spawner.Life` Duration of the spawner, in seconds
R	`float`	`spawner.LifeRatio` Life-ratio of the spawner, in the [0, 1] range. (Was `SpawnerLifeRatio` before v1.8.0)
R	`float`	`spawner.EmittedCount` number of particles already emitted by the spawner before it spawned this-one
R	`float`	`spawner.SpawnRate` number of particles emitted per spawn metric (per second, per world unit, or per custom metric, depending on the spawner's settings)
R	`float`	`spawner.SpawnCount` total number of particles the spawner will emit (if available, otherwise zero)
R	`float`	`spawner.BaseSpawnRate` number of particles emitted per spawn metric, before being weighted by the spawn flux and layer script
R	`float`	`spawner.BaseSpawnCount` total number of particles the spawner will emit (if available, otherwise zero), before being weighted by the spawn flux and layer script
R	`float`	`spawner.FirstSpawnDelay` returns the value of the 'FirstSpawnDelay' property in the parent layer or evolver spawner.

Events

Spawn	Evolve	type	description
			all the particle events
		`void`	`EventName.trigger(``int condition``)` triggers the event based on 'condition'. 'condition' must be 0 or -1, or the result of a compare (ex: `MyEvent.trigger(LifeRatio > 0.5);` ) Spawns at the current `Position` particle field, and `Velocity` oriented if it exists. Never broadcasts the event to the game engine.
		`void`	`EventName.trigger(``int condition, float3 position, float3 forwardAxis, float3 upAxis``)` Like `.trigger(cond)`, but with explicit position and axis for orientation (instead of `Position` and `Velocity`)
		`void`	`EventName.broadcast(``int condition``)` Experimental Like `.trigger(cond)`, except it also forces broadcasting of the event to the game engine, as long as the event's 'Broadcast' property is enabled.
		`void`	`EventName.broadcast(``int condition, float3 position, float3 forwardAxis, float3 upAxis``)` Experimental Like `.trigger(cond, pos, fwd, up)` but `.broadcast`.
		`void`	`Trigger(``int eventId, int condition``)` Deprecated triggers the event referenced by 'eventId', which is the zero-based index of the desired event in the event list, based on 'condition'. 'condition' must be 0 or -1, or the result of a compare (ex: `Trigger(select(0, 1, Position.y < 0), LifeRatio > 0.5);` --> when the LifeRatio goes above 0.5, if the particle is above the plane on y = 0, will trigger the first event, if it's below or on the plane, will trigger the second event in the event-list.)

Layer scripts

See the Layer page for how to create and use layer scripts

Spawner

Layer spawn-scripts not yet available. In the current PopcornFX SDK you can only use layer evolve scripts.

Spawn	Evolve	type	description
	R	`float`	`Age` Time in seconds the spawner has been spawning particles (at the beginning of the frame)
RW	RW	`float`	`Life` Duration of the spawner, in seconds v1.13.0 Since v1.13.0, layer-scripts can now write to this property to dynamically change the duration of the layer.
	R	`float`	`LifeRatio` Life-ratio of the spawner, in the [0, 1] range (at the beginning of the frame)
	R	`float`	`EmittedCount` Number of particles already emitted by the spawner (at the beginning of the frame)
	R	`float`	`LiveCount` v1.9.0 Estimated number of particles emitted by the spawner that are still alive (at the beginning of the frame)
	RW	`float`	`Flux` Base value each frame is 1.0, you can write to this to weight the spawn rate by a custom value. Setting it to 2.0 will make the spawner emit twice as many particles as its base value.
	R	`float`	`SpawnRate` number of particles emitted per spawn metric (per second, per world unit, or per custom metric, depending on the spawner's settings)
	R	`float`	`SpawnCount` total number of particles the spawner will emit (if available, otherwise zero)
RW	R	`float`	`BaseSpawnRate` number of particles emitted per spawn metric, before being weighted by any spawn flux
RW	R	`float`	`BaseSpawnCount` total number of particles the spawner will emit (if available, otherwise zero), before being weighted by any spawn flux
RW	R	`float`	`FirstSpawnDelay` returns the value of the 'FirstSpawnDelay' property in the parent layer.
R	R	`float3`	`Position` Position of the layer at the end of the current frame.
R	R	`float3`	`PrevPosition` Position of the layer at the beginning of the current frame.
R	R	`float3`	`Orientation` Orientation of the layer at the end of the current frame. (represented as euler angles in radians)
R	R	`float3`	`PrevOrientation` Orientation of the layer at the beginning of the current frame. (represented as euler angles in radians)
R	R	`float3`	`Velocity` v1.9.0 Velocity of the layer at the end of the current frame. (units per second)
R	R	`float3`	`PrevVelocity` v1.9.0 Velocity of the layer at the beginning of the current frame. (units per second)
RW	RW	`float3`	`PositionOffset` Position offset of the layer at the end of the current frame. Defaults to zero
RW	RW	`float3`	`PrevPositionOffset` Position offset of the layer at the beginning of the current frame. Defaults to zero
RW	RW	`float3`	`OrientationOffset` Orientation offset of the layer at the end of the current frame. Defaults to zero. (represented as euler angles in radians)
RW	RW	`float3`	`PrevOrientationOffset` Orientation offset of the layer at the beginning of the current frame. Defaults to zero. (represented as euler angles in radians)

Common to particle and layer scripts

Samplers

These are all the functions and properties exposed by particle samplers:

Spawn	Evolve	type	description
R	R		all the particle samplers
Curve sampler
		`float#`	`SamplerName.sample(``float cursor``)` Samples the curve at x=cursor. Return type is a float vector whose dimension matches the curve dimension. a 1D curve will return a float, 3D curve will return a float3, etc...
		`float#`	`SamplerName.sampleCDF(``float cursor``)` v1.9.0 Treats the curve as a Probability Density Function (PDF), and samples its Cumulative Density Function (CDF) at x=cursor. Only works for 'float' curves (single channel / 1D), and curves whose "IsDensityCurve" property has been checked. Useful to get custom random distributions by doing `Curve.sampleCDF(rand(0,1))`
		`float#`	`SamplerName.derive(``float cursor``)` v1.10.0 Computes the derivative of the curve at x=cursor. Return type is a float vector whose dimension matches the curve dimension. Each xyzw element of the result will contain the derivative of each of the separate curve components.
		`float#`	`SamplerName.integrate(``float cursorStart, float cursorEnd``)` Computes the integral of the curve between x0=cursorStart and x1=cursorEnd. Return type is a float vector whose dimension matches the curve dimension. Each xyzw element of the result will contain the integral of each of the separate curve components.
Double-curve sampler
		`float#`	`SamplerName.sample(``float cursor, float ratio``)` Samples the double-curve at x=cursor, and interpolates between the results from each curve using ratio which should be in the [0,1] range.
Shape sampler
		`int3`	`SamplerName.samplePCoords()` Samples a random location identifier on the shape. The resulting parametric coordinate then be passed to the other sampling functions.
~	~	`int3`	`SamplerName.sampleSurfacePCoordsFromUV(``[ float2 uv ]``)` Only available for 'Mesh' shapes Samples a location identifier on the shape corresponding to the uv coordinates. The resulting parametric coordinate then be passed to the other sampling functions. WARNING: Sampling from UV does not work with overridden attribute samplers.
		`float3`	`SamplerName.samplePosition(``[ int3 pCoords ]``)` Samples a position on the shape. Accepts an optional parametric coordinate. If no pCoord is provided, will sample a random location.
		`float3`	`SamplerName.sampleNormal(``[ int3 pCoords ]``)` Samples a normal on the shape. Accepts an optional parametric coordinate. If no pCoord is provided, will sample a random location.
~	~	`float4`	`SamplerName.sampleTangent(``[ int3 pCoords ]``)` Only available for 'Mesh' shapes Samples a tangent on the shape. Accepts an optional parametric coordinate. If no pCoord is provided, will sample a random location. Sampled tangent contains a sign-flip in its 'w' component to take into account tangent-basis mirroring.
~	~	`float2`	`SamplerName.sampleTexcoord(``[ int3 pCoords ]``)` Only available for 'Mesh' shapes Samples a texture-coordinate on the shape. Accepts an optional parametric coordinate. If no pCoord is provided, will sample a random location. additional functions sampleTexcoord0 to sampleTexcoord9 are declared, to sample different explicit UV streams.
~	~	`float4`	`SamplerName.sampleColor(``[ int3 pCoords ]``)` Only available for 'Mesh' shapes Samples a color on the shape. Accepts an optional parametric coordinate. If no pCoord is provided, will sample a random location. additional functions sampleColor0 to sampleColor9 are declared, to sample different explicit Color streams.
		`float3`	`SamplerName.sampleVelocity(``[ int3 pCoords ]``)` Samples the instantaneous surface-velocity of the shape. Accepts an optional parametric coordinate. If no pCoord is provided, will sample a random location.
		`float`	`SamplerName.surface()` Returns the surface of the shape.
		`float`	`SamplerName.volume()` Returns the volume of the shape.
		`float`	`SamplerName.radius()` Returns the radius of the shape if it's a sphere, complexEllipsoid, capsule, cone, or cylinder. If not, returns zero.
		`float`	`SamplerName.innerRadius()` Returns the innerRadius of the shape if it's a sphere, complexEllipsoid, capsule, or cylinder. If not, returns zero.
		`float`	`SamplerName.height()` Returns the height of the shape if it's a capsule, cone, or cylinder. If not, returns zero.
		`int`	`SamplerName.vertexCount()` Returns the vertex-count of the shape if it's a mesh. If not, returns zero.
		`int`	`SamplerName.triangleCount()` Returns the triangle-count of the shape if it's a mesh. If not, returns zero.
		`int`	`SamplerName.tetraCount()` v1.10.0 Returns the tetrahedron-count of the shape if it's a mesh, and contains tetrahedral information (required for volume sampling). If not, returns zero.
		`float3`	`SamplerName.meshScale()` Returns the mesh-scale of the shape if it's a mesh. If not, returns zero.
		`float3`	`SamplerName.boxDim()` Returns the dimensions of the shape if it's a box. If not, returns zero.
		`int`	`SamplerName.type()` Returns the type of the shape. Can be any of the following: `shapeType.Box` `shapeType.Sphere` `shapeType.ComplexEllipsoid` `shapeType.Cylinder` `shapeType.Capsule` `shapeType.Cone` `shapeType.Plane` `shapeType.Mesh` `shapeType.Collection`
		`float3`	`SamplerName.position()` Returns the position of the shape.
		`float3`	`SamplerName.axisUp()` Returns the up axis of the shape.
		`float3`	`SamplerName.axisSide()` Returns the side axis of the shape.
		`float3`	`SamplerName.axisForward()` Returns the forward axis of the shape.
~	~	`float`	`SamplerName.sampleDistanceField(``float3 position``)` Samples the distance-field of the shape at the specified location. Will not work with animated / skinned 'Mesh' shapes
~	~	`int`	`SamplerName.contains(``float3 position``)` returns `true` if the shape contains the specified position, `false otherwise`. Will not work with animated / skinned 'Mesh' shapes
~	~	`float4`	`SamplerName.intersect(``float3 rayStart, float3 rayDirection, float rayLength``)` raytraces the shape with the specified ray. returns the hit normal and intersection distance packed in a float4. if the intersection distance is infinite, nothing was hit. Will not work with animated / skinned 'Mesh' shapes
~	~	`int4`	`SamplerName.intersectPCoords(``float3 rayStart, float3 rayDirection, float rayLength``)` raytraces the shape with the specified ray. returns the intersection parametric coordinates in `result.xyz`, and the intersection distance in `asfloat(result.w)`. if the intersection distance is infinite, nothing was hit. Will not work with animated / skinned 'Mesh' shapes
~	~	`float4`	`SamplerName.project(``float3 position``)` Computes the projection of the specified position on the shape. returns the vector from position to projected position and projection distance packed in a float4. Will not work with animated / skinned 'Mesh' shapes
~	~	`int3`	`SamplerName.projectPCoords(``float3 position``)` Computes the projection of the specified position on the shape. returns the parametric coordinate of the projected location. Will not work with animated / skinned 'Mesh' shapes
Texture sampler
		`float#`	`SamplerName.sample(``float2 uv [, int filterMode [, int wrapMode]]``)` Samples a texel on the texture at the specified UV coordinates. the optional 'filterMode' can be one of the following: `textureFilter.Default` `textureFilter.Point` `textureFilter.Linear` The optional 'addrMode' can be one of the following: `textureAddr.Default` `textureAddr.Clamp` `textureAddr.Wrap`
		`float#`	`SamplerName.sample(``float subRectId, float2 uv [, int filterMode [, int wrapMode]]``)` Samples a texel on the texture atlas at the specified sub-rect and UV coordinates.
		`float2`	`SamplerName.remapDensity(``float2 uv [, int filterMode [, int wrapMode]]``)` v1.9.0 This is the old 'sampleDensity' in versions anterior to v1.9.0 Builds a new UV from the input UV so that the final UV distribution matches the density of the texture.
		`float2`	`SamplerName.remapDensity(``float subRectId, float2 uv [, int filterMode [, int wrapMode]]``)` v1.9.0 This is the old 'sampleDensity' in versions anterior to v1.9.0 Builds a new UV from the input UV so that the final UV distribution matches the density of the texture atlas at the specified sub-rect.
		`float2`	`SamplerName.sampleDensity(``[int filterMode [, int wrapMode]]``)` v1.9.0 Builds a random UV coordinate so that the UV distribution matches the density of the texture.
		`float2`	`SamplerName.sampleDensity(``float subRectId [, int filterMode [, int wrapMode]]``)` v1.9.0 Builds a random UV coordinate so that the UV distribution matches the density of the texture atlas at the specified sub-rect.
		`float2`	`SamplerName.dimensions()` v1.9.0 Returns a float2 containing the texture texel dimensions (can be just an abstract aspect ratio if the sampler is an attribute sampler overriden by the game engine and is a procedural "infinite" texture rather than a physical texture).
		`int`	`SamplerName.atlasRectCount()` v1.13.0 Returns the number of sub-rectangles in the texture atlas. Returns zero if there's no atlas.
Turbulence sampler
		`float3`	`SamplerName.sample(``float3 position``)` Samples the default field turbulence at the specified location. (by default, samples the curl, so it's basically curl-noise)
		`float3`	`SamplerName.sampleCurl(``float3 position``)` Samples the curl of the turbulence noise-field at the specified location.
		`float3`	`SamplerName.samplePotential(``float3 position``)` Samples the potential of the turbulence noise-field at the specified location.
Audio sampler
		`float`	`SamplerName.sample(``float cursor [, int sampleFilter]``)` Samples the spectrum at the specified cursor, which is in the [0,1] range, 0 meaning full-bass and 1 meaning full-treble. sampleFilter can be one of the following: `spectrumFilter.Point` `spectrumFilter.Linear` `spectrumFilter.Cubic`
		`float`	`SamplerName.sample(``float cursor, float convolution [, int sampleFilter [, int convolutionFilter]]``)` Samples the spectrum at the specified cursor, which is in the [0,1] range, 0 meaning full-bass and 1 meaning full-treble. The convolution parameters is in the [0,1] range and allows to smooth the sampled spectrum. The convolutionFilter accepts the same values as the sampleFilter, and tells how to interpolate between the various spectrum 'mipmaps' used by the convolution level.
Text sampler
		`int`	`SamplerName.charCode(``int charId``)` Samples the text at the specified character position, and returns the ASCII code of the sampled character.
		`int`	`SamplerName.charCode(``int2 lineAndCharId``)` Samples the text at the specified line and character position, and returns the ASCII code of the sampled character.
		`int2`	`SamplerName.charLineId(``int charId``)` v1.12.0 Returns an int2 vector containing the 0-based line index of the specified character in 'x' and the 0-based character index relative to the start of the line in 'y'. 'charId' is the global character index in the [0, totalCharCount] range
		`int`	`SamplerName.charOffset(``int lineId, int charId``)` v1.12.0 Returns the horizontal distance between charId and the beginning of the line in displayable units, where '1.0' is the average glyph size. Takes kerning into account if a kerning file has been provided in the text sampler and its 'UseKerning' property is enabled. Only works for characters whose charCode is in the [0-255] range. If you need to work with some unicode characters, you will need to reencode the text string to map them in free slots of the [0,255] range, and remap their entries in the kerning file. Please contact our support channels for more details.
		`int`	`SamplerName.lineOffset(``int lineId``)` v1.12.0 Returns the vertical distance between lineId and the beginning of the text in displayable units, where '1.0' is the average glyph size. Defaults to 3.0 if no metrics file has been provided in the text sampler.
		`int`	`SamplerName.charCount(``int lineId``)` Returns the number of characters at the specified line of the text.
		`int`	`SamplerName.charCount()` Returns the number of characters in the whole text.
		`int`	`SamplerName.lineCount()` Returns the number of lines in the whole text.

Shape

The "shape" namespace gives access to shape-related functions that do not need an actual shape to work.

Spawn	type	description
Functions
	`int3`	`shape.buildPCoordsMesh(``int vertexId``)` v1.10.0 Allows to manually build parametric coordinates on a mesh shape setup for vertex sampling. '`vertexId`' is the index of the vertex to sample. it's in the `[0,Shape.vertexCount()-1]` range. If an invalid index is given (greater than `Shape.vertexCount()-1`), the sampling functions that get passed this parametric coordinate will clamp the vertexId to `Shape.vertexCount()-1`.
	`int3`	`shape.buildPCoordsMesh(``int triangleId, float2 barycentricCoordinates``)` Allows to manually build parametric coordinates on a mesh shape setup for surface sampling. '`triangleId`' is the index of the triangle to sample. it's in the `[0,Shape.triangleCount()-1]` range. If an invalid index is given (greater than `Shape.triangleCount()-1`), the sampling functions that get passed this parametric coordinate will clamp the vertexId to `Shape.triangleCount()-1`. '`uv`' is a float2 UV barycentric coordinate in the selected triangle. it's in the `[0,1]` range. float2(0.3333) is the triangle center. (uv.x + uv.y) should be lower than 1, otherwise the sample will fall outside the triangle.
	`int3`	`shape.buildPCoordsMesh(``int tetraId, float3 barycentricCoordinates``)` v1.10.0 Allows to manually build parametric coordinates on a mesh shape setup for volume sampling. '`tetraId`' is the index of the vertex to sample. it's in the `[0,Shape.tetraCount()-1]` range. If an invalid index is given (greater than `Shape.tetraCount()-1`), the sampling functions that get passed this parametric coordinate will clamp the vertexId to `Shape.tetraCount()-1`. '`uvw`' is a float3 UVW barycentric coordinate in the selected tetrahedron. it's in the `[0,1]` range. float3(0.25) is the tetra center. (uv.x + uv.y + uv.z) should be lower than 1, otherwise the sample will fall outside the tetrahedron.
	`int3`	`shape.buildPCoordsBox(``int faceId, float2 uv``)` Allows to manually build parametric coordinates on a box shape setup for Surface sampling. '`faceId`' can be one of the following values: `[-3, -2, -1, 1, 2, 3]`. -1 and 1 map the -X and +X faces, respectively. -2, 2 map the -Y, +Y faces, and -3, 3 map the -Z, +Z faces. '`uv`' is a float2 UV coordinate on the selected face. it's in the `[0,1]` range.
	`int3`	`shape.buildPCoordsBox(``float3 normalizedPos``)` Allows to manually build parametric coordinates on a box shape setup for Volume sampling. '`normalizedPos`' is a float3 coordinate in normalized box coordinates. it's in the `[-1,1]` range.
	`int3`	`shape.buildPCoordsSphere(``float2 polarAngles, float radius``)` Allows to manually build parametric coordinates on a sphere shape. Works for both Surface' and Volume sampling. '`polarAngles`' is a float2 theta-phi coordinate. it's in the `[0,1]` range, and gets mapped internally to `[0,2*pi]`. '`radius`' is a lerp factor between the sphere's InnerRadius and Radius properties. it's in the `[0,1]` range.
	`int3`	`shape.buildPCoordsCone(``float height, float angle [, float radius]``)` Allows to manually build parametric coordinates on a cone shape. Works for both Surface' and Volume sampling. '`height`' is the normalized cone height. it's in the `[0,1]` range. '`angle`' is the angle around the cone axis. it's in the `[0,1]` range, and gets mapped internally to `[0,2pi]`. '`radius`' is the distance between the cone center and the cone edge. it's in the `[0,1]` range. Only for Volume* sampling.
	`int3`	`shape.buildPCoordsCapsule(``float height, float angle, float radius``)` Allows to manually build parametric coordinates on a capsule shape. Works for both Surface' and Volume sampling. '`height`' is a normalized cursor along the capsule height, cap-spheres included. it's in the `[0,1]` range. '`angle`' is the angle around the capsule axis. it's in the `[0,1]` range, and gets mapped internally to `[0,2*pi]`. '`radius`' is a lerp factor between the capsule's InnerRadius and Radius properties. it's in the `[0,1]` range.
	`int3`	`shape.buildPCoordsCylinder(``float height, float angle, float radius``)` Allows to manually build parametric coordinates on a cylinder shape. Works for both Surface' and Volume sampling. '`height`' is the normalized cylinder height. it's in the `[0,1]` range. '`angle`' is the angle around the cylinder axis. it's in the `[0,1]` range, and gets mapped internally to `[0,2*pi]`. '`radius`' is a lerp factor between the cylinder's InnerRadius and Radius properties. it's in the `[0,1]` range.

Effect

v1.13.3 The 'effect' namespace contains all effect-related functions and variables.

Spawn	Evolve	type	description
		`float3`	`effect.position()` v1.13.3 returns the position of the parent effect instance, as set by the game-engine, in worldspace.
		`float3`	`effect.velocity()` v1.13.3 returns the velocity of the parent effect instance, as set by the game-engine, in worldspace.
		`float3`	`effect.axisUp()` v1.13.3 returns the up axis of the parent effect instance, as set by the game-engine, in worldspace.
		`float3`	`effect.axisSide()` v1.13.3 returns the side axis of the parent effect instance, as set by the game-engine, in worldspace.
		`float3`	`effect.axisForward()` v1.13.3 returns the forward axis of the parent effect instance, as set by the game-engine, in worldspace.

Scene

The "scene" namespace gives access to scene-wide functions such as raycast queries, time, and axis-system.

Spawn	Evolve	type	description
Variables
R	R	`float`	`scene.Time` global date of the current particle medium collection, in seconds. (Was `CurrentDate` before v1.8.0)
R	R	`float`	*`scene.surfaceType.` All surface types configured in the project-settings 'Scene' panel**
R	R	`float`	*`scene.collisionFilter.` All collision filters configured in the project-settings 'Scene' panel**
Functions
		`float3`	`scene.axisUp()` constant: up axis (based on the Axis-System). See #Axis-System helpers.
		`float3`	`scene.axisSide()` constant: side axis (based on the Axis-System). See #Axis-System helpers.
		`float3`	`scene.axisForward()` constant: forward axis (based on the Axis-System). See #Axis-System helpers.
		`int`	`scene.isRight()` v1.8.2 constant: `true` (0xFFFFFFFF) if the Axis-System is right handed, or `false` (0x0) if left handed. Example: `Axis = cross(Velocity, scene.axisUp()) * iif(scene.isRight(), 1, -1);` See #Axis-System helpers.
		`float`	`scene.isRightSign()` v1.8.2 constant: `1.0` if the Axis-System is right handed, `-1.0` if left handed. Example: `Axis = cross(Velocity, scene.axisUp()) * scene.isRightSign();` See #Axis-System helpers.
		`float4`	`scene.intersect(``float3 rayStart, float3 rayDirection, float rayLength [, int collisionFilter]``)` issues a scene intersection query, returns the intersection normal in xyz, and intersection distance in w. The optional '`collisionFilter`' parameter must be one of the collision filters you configured in the project-settings 'Scene' panel ex: `collisionFilter.StaticGeom`, `collisionFilter.ConvexHulls`, etc...
		`int4`	`scene.intersectExt(``float3 rayStart, float3 rayDirection, float rayLength [, int collisionFilter]``)` issues an extended scene intersection query, returns an int4 containing the packed intersection normal, intersection distance, and surface type. Use the 'unpack' functions below to extract each one of them. The optional '`collisionFilter`' parameter must be one of the collision filters you configured in the project-settings 'Scene' panel ex: `collisionFilter.StaticGeom`, `collisionFilter.ConvexHulls`, etc...
		`float3`	`scene.unpackNormal(``int4 packedISecResult``)` takes a packed intersection result returned by `scene.intersectExt()`, extracts and returns the float3 intersection normal it contains. Equivalent to `scene.intersect(...).xyz`
		`float`	`scene.unpackDist(``int4 packedISecResult``)` takes a packed intersection result returned by `scene.intersectExt()`, extracts and returns the float intersection distance it contains. Equivalent to `scene.intersect(...).w`
		`int`	`scene.unpackSurfaceType(``int4 packedISecResult``)` takes a packed intersection result returned by `scene.intersectExt()`, extracts and returns the int surface-type it contains. The returned surface-type can be tested against one of the surface-types you configured in the project-settings 'Scene' panel ex: `surfaceType.Grass`, `surfaceType.Rock`, etc...

View

The "view" namespace gives access to camera-related functions such as projection or distance functions.

Spawn	type	description
Functions
	`int`	`view.count()` v1.10.0 returns the number of active cameras/views. If no camera views are registered by the game engine, returns `0`.
	`float`	`view.distance(``float3 position [, int camIndex]``)` v1.10.0 returns the distance between 'position' and the camera whose ID is 'camIndex'. If 'camIndex' is not specified, returns the distance to the closest cam. If no camera views are registered by the game engine, returns `infinity`. ex: `view.distance(Position)` returns the distance to the closest cam, `view.distance(Position, 2)` returns the distance to the 3rd cam.
	`int`	`view.closest(``float3 position [, int n]``)` v1.10.0 returns the index of the cam closest to 'position'. If 'n' is specified, returns the index of the 'nth' closest cam. '0' is the closest, '1' is the second closest, '2' is the third closest, etc.. If no camera views are registered by the game engine, returns `-1`. ex: `view.closest(Position)`
	`float3`	`view.position(``[int camIndex = 0]``)` v1.10.0 returns the position of the cam whose ID is 'camIndex'. If 'camIndex' is not specified, uses the first camera. If no camera views are registered by the game engine, returns `float3(infinity)`. ex: `view.position()` or `view.position(2)`
	`float3`	`view.axisSide(``[int camIndex = 0]``)` v1.10.0 returns the side axis of the cam whose ID is 'camIndex'. If 'camIndex' is not specified, uses the first camera. If no camera views are registered by the game engine, returns `scene.axisSide()`. ex: `view.axisSide()` or `view.axisSide(2)`
	`float3`	`view.axisUp(``[int camIndex = 0]``)` v1.10.0 returns the up axis of the cam whose ID is 'camIndex'. If 'camIndex' is not specified, uses the first camera. If no camera views are registered by the game engine, returns `scene.axisUp()`. ex: `view.axisUp()` or `view.axisUp(2)`
	`float3`	`view.axisForward(``[int camIndex = 0]``)` v1.10.0 returns the forward axis of the cam whose ID is 'camIndex'. If 'camIndex' is not specified, uses the first camera. IMPORTANT: This is not necessarily the view vector / view direction ! See `view.direction()` If no camera views are registered by the game engine, returns `scene.axisForward()`. ex: `view.axisForward()` or `view.axisForward(2)`
	`float3`	`view.direction(``[int camIndex = 0]``)` v1.13.0 returns the view vector of the cam whose ID is 'camIndex'. If 'camIndex' is not specified, uses the first camera. returns `view.axisForward()` for Right-handed Y-Up and Left-handed Z-Up coordinate systems, and `-view.axisForward()` for Right-handed Z-Up and Left-handed Y-Up coordinate systems. ex: `view.direction()` or `view.direction(2)`
	`float3`	`view.project(``float3 worldPos [, int camIndex = 0]``)` v1.10.0 projects the input worldspace coordinate into the clip-space of the cam whose ID is 'camIndex'. If 'camIndex' is not specified, uses the first camera. Can be useful to get the screenspace-position of a particle. If no camera views are registered by the game engine, returns `float3(0,0,0)`. ex: `view.project(Position)` or `view.project(Position, 2)`
	`float3`	`view.unproject(``float3 clipPos [, int camIndex = 0]``)` v1.10.0 unprojects to worldspace the input clipspace coordinate of the cam whose ID is 'camIndex'. If 'camIndex' is not specified, uses the first camera. Can be useful to have a particle stick to a screenspace position by unprojecting the position to worldspace. If no camera views are registered by the game engine, returns `float3(0,0,0)`. ex: `view.unproject(float3(uv, 0))` or `view.unproject(clipPos, 2)`
	`float3`	`view.unprojectedAxis(``float2 clipPos [, int camIndex = 0]``)` v1.10.0 returns the normalized axis of the ray that goes from the camera origin through the camera plane at coordinates specified in 'clipPos'. If 'camIndex' is not specified, uses the first camera. If no camera views are registered by the game engine, returns `float3(infinity)`. ex: `view.unprojectedAxis(uv)` or `view.unprojectedAxis(uv, 2)`
	`int2`	`view.resolution(``[int camIndex = 0]``)` v1.11.1 returns the resolution of the view in pixels. If 'camIndex' is not specified, uses the first camera. If no camera views are registered by the game engine, returns `int2(1,1)`. A camera rendering in a 1920x1024 viewport will return '`int2(1920,1024)`' Note that this function returns integer values, care must be taken to explicitely cast to float when required, for instance when dividing the x/y values together. ex: `view.resolution()` or `view.resolution(2)`
	`float`	`view.aspect(``[int camIndex = 0]``)` v1.11.1 returns the aspect-ratio of the view. If 'camIndex' is not specified, uses the first camera. If no camera views are registered by the game engine, returns `1.0`. Equivalent to doing: `float aspect = view.resolution(id).x / float(view.resolution(id).y);` ex: `view.aspect()` or `view.aspect(2)`
	`float`	`view.fovHorizontal(``[int camIndex = 0]``)` v1.11.2 returns the horizontal fov of the view, in radians. If 'camIndex' is not specified, uses the first camera. If no camera views are registered by the game engine, returns `pi/2` (90 degrees fov). ex: `view.fovHorizontal()` or `view.fovHorizontal(2)`
	`float`	`view.fovVertical(``[int camIndex = 0]``)` v1.11.2 returns the vertical fov of the view, in radians. If 'camIndex' is not specified, uses the first camera. If no camera views are registered by the game engine, returns `pi/2` (90 degrees fov). ex: `view.fovVertical()` or `view.fovVertical(2)`
	`float`	`view.fov(``[int camIndex = 0]``)` v1.11.2 returns the fov of the view, in radians. If 'camIndex' is not specified, uses the first camera. If no camera views are registered by the game engine, returns `pi/2` (90 degrees fov). Equivalent to doing: `float fov = max(view.fovHorizontal(), view.fovVertical());` ex: `view.fov()` or `view.fov(2)` To get the fov in degrees: `float fovInDegrees = rad2deg(view.fov());`

Spatial layers

The "spatialLayers" namespace gives access to all spatial layers visible by the effect.

Spawn	type	description
		all the Spatial layers
Global queries
	`int`	`spatialLayers.LayerName.neighborCount(``float3 center, float radius``)` Returns the number of particles inside the query volume. If no particles are inside the query volume, returns `0`
Field queries
	`fieldType`	`spatialLayers.LayerName.FieldName.closest(``float3 center, float radius``)` Returns the value of 'FieldName' of the closest particle inside the query volume. If no particles are inside the query volume, returns `infinity`
	`fieldType`	`spatialLayers.LayerName.FieldName.closest(``float3 center, float radius, int n [, int cacheSize]``)` v1.9.0 Returns the value of 'FieldName' of the n-closest particle inside the query volume. If no particles are inside the query volume, returns `infinity` 'n' is 0-based, so calling the query with '0' for 'n' will return closest value, calling with '3' will return the 4th closest, etc... 'cacheSize' is an optional performance hint. When not specified, its default value is 4.
	`fieldType`	`spatialLayers.LayerName.FieldName.closest2(``float3 center, float radiusMin, float radiusMax``)` v1.12.0 Returns the value of 'FieldName' of the closest particle inside the hollowed query volume. setting 'radiusMin' to zero is equivalent to calling `closest(center, radiusMax)` If no particles are inside the query volume, returns `infinity`
	`float#`	`spatialLayers.LayerName.FieldName.sum(``float3 center, float radius``)` Returns the sum of 'FieldName' of all particles inside the query volume. If no particles are inside the query volume, returns `infinity` If the original field is int, int2, int3, or int4, the returned value will actually be a float vector of the same dimension: float, float2, float3 or float4.
	`float#`	`spatialLayers.LayerName.FieldName.sumKernel(``float3 center, float radius, samplerCurve1D kernelSampler``)` Returns the sum of 'FieldName' of all particles inside the query volume, and uses the custom kernel (1D curve sampler) to weight each value based on its distance to the query center. If no particles are inside the query volume, returns `infinity` If the original field is int, int2, int3, or int4, the returned value will actually be a float vector of the same dimension: float, float2, float3 or float4.
	`float#`	`spatialLayers.LayerName.FieldName.average(``float3 center, float radius``)` Returns the average value of 'FieldName' of all particles inside the query volume. If no particles are inside the query volume, returns `infinity` If the original field is int, int2, int3, or int4, the returned value will actually be a float vector of the same dimension: float, float2, float3 or float4.
	`float#`	`spatialLayers.LayerName.FieldName.averageKernel(``float3 center, float radius, samplerCurve1D kernelSampler``)` Returns the average value of 'FieldName' of all particles inside the query volume, and uses the custom kernel (1D curve sampler) to weight each value based on its distance to the query center. If no particles are inside the query volume, returns `infinity` If the original field is int, int2, int3, or int4, the returned value will actually be a float vector of the same dimension: float, float2, float3 or float4.

Language builtins

Constants

Name	Value
`pi`	$\pi$ ~= 3.14159265359
`phi`	$\varphi$ ~= 1.61803398875
`infinity`	$+\infty$

Math functions

Function	Notation	float	int	Description	Input range $\longrightarrow$ output range
`rand(x,y)`		Y	N	random function, returns a random value 'r' such that x <= r < y	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [x, y[$
`dot(u,v)`	$\vec{u} \cdot \vec{v}$	Y	N	vector dot-product	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [-\infty, +\infty]$
`cross(u,v)`	$\vec{u} \times \vec{v}$	Y	N	3D vector cross-product	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [-\infty, +\infty]$
`reflect(v,n)`	$\vec{v} - 2\vec{n} (\vec{v} \cdot \vec{n})$	Y	N	reflects (mirrors) the float3 vector 'v' on the plane defined by the float3 normal 'n'.	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [-\infty, +\infty]$
`abs(x)`	$\begin{align} \| x \| \end{align}$	Y	Y	absolute value	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [0, +\infty]$
`sign(x)`	$\begin{align} \frac{x}{\| x \|}\end{align}$	Y	Y	sign function, returns -1 when x <= -0, and +1 when x >= +0	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [-1], [+1]$
`ceil(x)`	$\lceil x \rceil$	Y	N/A	ceiling rounding: rounds to the closest integer value >= x	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [-\infty, +\infty]$
`floor(x)`	$\lfloor x \rfloor$	Y	N/A	floor rounding: rounds to the closest integer value <= x	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [-\infty, +\infty]$
`frac(x)`	$$ x % 1 $$	Y	N/A	extracts the fractional part of 'x'	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [0, +1[$
`wavesq(x)`		Y	N/A	square wave function	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [-1, +1]$
`wavetri(x)`		Y	N/A	triangular wave function	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [0, +1]$
`wavesaw(x)`	$x - \lfloor x \rfloor$	Y	N/A	sawtooth wave function	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [0, +1]$
`saturate(x)`		Y	N/A	clamps 'x' in the [0, 1] range	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [0, +1]$
`step(x,y)`	$\begin{align} x >= y\end{align}$	Y	N	step function. evaluates to 0 if x < y, and evaluates to 1 if x >= y	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [0, +1]$
`linearstep(a,b,x)`	$\begin{align} t=\frac{x-a}{b-a} \end{align}$	Y	N	v1.10.0 linearstep function. linearly evaluates between 0 to 1 the position of x between a and b.	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [0, +1]$
`smoothstep(a,b,x)`	$\begin{align} 3t^2 - 2t^3 \end{align}$	Y	N	v1.9.0 smoothstep function. smoothly evaluates between 0 to 1 the position of x between a and b.	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [0, +1]$
`discretize(x,y)`		Y	N	discretization function, snaps 'x' to the nearest step, given a step size 'y'	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [-\infty, +\infty]$
`min(x,y)`	$\begin{align} min(x, y) \end{align}$	Y	Y	minimization function: if x < y, returns x, otherwise, returns y	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [-\infty, y]$
`max(x,y)`	$\begin{align} max(x, y) \end{align}$	Y	Y	maximization function: if x > y, returns x, otherwise, returns y	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [y, +\infty]$
`clamp(x,a,b)`	$\begin{align} clamp(x, a, b) \end{align}$	Y	N	v1.8.0 clamp function: if x < a, returns a, otherwise, if x > b, returns b, otherwise, returns x	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [a, b]$
`sqrt(x)` `fast.sqrt(x)`	$\sqrt{x}$	Y	N	square-root faster square-root, lower precision	$[0, +\infty] \longrightarrow [0, +\infty]$
`rsqrt(x)` `fast.rsqrt(x)`	$\frac{1}{\sqrt{x}}$	Y	N/A	reverse square-root faster reverse square-root, lower precision	$[0, +\infty] \longrightarrow [0, +\infty]$
`cbrt(x)` `fast.cbrt(x)`	$\sqrt[3]{x}$	Y	N	v1.10.0 cube-root faster cube-root, lower precision	$[0, +\infty] \longrightarrow [0, +\infty]$
`length(v)` `fast.length(v)`	$\left\\| v \right\\|$	Y	N/A	vector length faster vector length, lower precision	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [0, +\infty]$
`normalize(v)` `fast.normalize(v)`	$\vec{v} \cdot \frac{1}{ \left\\| v \right\\| }$	Y	N/A	vector normalization faster vector normalization, lower precision	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [-1, +1]$
`exp(x)` `fast.exp(x)`	$\begin{align} e^x \end{align}$	Y	N	natural exponential faster natural exponential, lower precision	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [0, +\infty]$
`exp2(x)` `fast.exp2(x)`	$\begin{align} 2^x \end{align}$	Y	N	base-2 exponential faster base-2 exponential, lower precision	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [0, +\infty]$
`pow(x,y)` `fast.pow(x,y)`	$\begin{align} x^y \end{align}$	Y	N	power function faster power function, lower precision	${[0, +\infty], [-\infty, +\infty]} \longrightarrow [-\infty, +\infty]$
`log(x)` `fast.log(x)`	$\ln \!\left( x \right)$	Y	N	natural logarithm faster natural logarithm, lower precision	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [-\infty, +\infty]$
`log2(x)` `fast.log2(x)`	$\log_2 \!\left( x \right)$	Y	N	base-2 logarithm faster base-2 logarithm, lower precision	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [-\infty, +\infty]$
`rcp(x)` `fast.rcp(x)`	$\frac{1}{x}$	Y	N/A	inverse faster inverse, lower precision	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [-\infty, +\infty]$
`sin(x)` `fast.sin(x)`	$\begin{align} \sin x \end{align}$	Y	N/A	sine faster sine, lower precision	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [-1, +1]$
`cos(x)` `fast.cos(x)`	$\begin{align} \cos x \end{align}$	Y	N/A	cosine faster cosine, lower precision	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [-1, +1]$
`tan(x)` `fast.tan(x)`	$\begin{align} \tan x \end{align}$	Y	N/A	tangent faster tangent, lower precision	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [-\infty, +\infty]$
`asin(x)` `fast.asin(x)`	$\begin{align} \sin^{-1} x \end{align}$	Y	N/A	arc-sine : returns the inverse of the sin() function : `asin(sin(x)) = x` fast arc-sine, lower precision	$[-1, +1] \longrightarrow [-\pi, +\pi]$
`acos(x)` `fast.acos(x)`	$\begin{align} \cos^{-1} x \end{align}$	Y	N/A	arc-cosine : returns the inverse of the cos() function : `acos(cos(x)) = x` faster arc-cosine, lower precision	$[-1, +1] \longrightarrow [-\pi, +\pi]$
`atan(x)` `fast.atan(x)`	$\begin{align} \tan^{-1} x \end{align}$	Y	N/A	arc-tangent : returns the inverse of the tan() function : `atan(tan(x)) = x` faster arc-tangent, lower precision	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [-\pi, +\pi]$
`atan2(x,y)` `fast.atan2(x,y)`	$\begin{align} \tan^{-1} \!\left( x,y \right) \end{align}$	Y	N/A	signed arc-tangent like tan(), but uses the sign of 'y' to determine which quadrant the angle lies on faster signed arc-tangent, lower precision	$[-\infty, +\infty] \longrightarrow [-\pi, +\pi]$

Functions

Function float int Description

vrand()
vrand(inner, outer)
vrand(inner, outer, probabilityCurve)

Y

N

random function, stands for "vector-rand", returns a random float3 vector 'v' uniformly distributed on the unit sphere surface.

Very useful to generate nicely distributed random normals, random 3D offsets, or other unit vectors to give a bit of randomization to particle velocities, etc..


60k samples of vrand()	vrand()rand(0,1)*	vrand()rand(0.5,1)*

v1.10.0 (added inner-outer and curve sampler overloads)

vrand(inner, outer) allows you to generate a point in a spherical shell instead of a sphere surface. 'inner' is the radius of the inner shell, 'outer' is the radius of the outer shell.
vrand(1,1) will give the same results as calling the classic vrand(). To generate a point inside the volume of a whole sphere, use vrand(0,1).
It keeps correct uniform distribution of samples per unit volume.


vrand(0,1)	vrand(0.5,1)

vrand(inner, outer, probabilityCurve) expects the name of a 1D curve sampler as third argument, which should have its 'IsProbabilityCurve' property checked. It will use that curve as a probability distribution between the 'inner' and 'outer' radius and distribute the random samples accordingly.


vrand(0,1,MyCurve)	vrand(0.5,1,MyCurve)	'MyCurve' Probability curve

select(a,b,c)

Y

returns 'a' or 'b' depending on the value of 'c'

'c' should be the boolean result of a compare operation, or function returning a true / false result.
ex: select(float3(0), float3(1,2,3), x <= y); will return float3(1,2,3) if x <= y, otherwise it will return float3(0).

logic:

if (c is true)
  return b;
else
  return a;

iif(c,a,b)

Y

iif: Inline IF
returns 'a' or 'b' depending on the value of 'c'. Like 'select', but reversed, syntactically closer to the syntax of an 'if/else' block.

'c' should be the boolean result of a compare operation, or function returning a true / false result.
ex: iif(x <= y, float3(1,2,3), float3(0)); will return float3(1,2,3) if x <= y, otherwise it will return float3(0).

logic:

if (c is true)
  return a;
else
  return b;

lerp(a,b,t)

Y

N

lineary blends between 'a' and 'b' based on the value of 't'

't' is an interpolation factor in the $$ [0, 1] $$ range. when 't' equals 0, 'a' is returned, when 't' equals 1, 'b' is returned. values in between return values between 'a' and 'b'.
ex: lerp(float3(0), float3(1,2,3), 0.5); will return float3(0.5, 1, 1.5).

logic:

return a + t * (b - a);

equivalent to:

return a * (1-t) + b * t;

smoothlerp(a,b,t)

Y

N

v1.9.0 smoothly blends between 'a' and 'b' based on the value of 't'

't' is an interpolation factor in the $$ [0, 1] $$ range. when 't' equals 0, 'a' is returned, when 't' equals 1, 'b' is returned. values in between return values between 'a' and 'b'.
ex: smoothlerp(float3(0), float3(1,2,3), 0.5); will return float3(0.5, 1, 1.5).

logic:

return lerp(a, b, smoothstep(0, 1, t));

equivalent to:

return lerp(a, b, 3*t*t - 2*t*t*t);

randsel(a,b)
randsel(a,b,k)

Y

v1.10.0 randomly returns 'a' or 'b'.

the two-argument version of 'randsel' has equal probability to return 'a' or 'b', and calling randsel(a, b); is equivalent to calling randsel(a, b, 0.5);
you can specify a custom probability to get either 'a' or 'b' by using the the three-argument version of 'randsel':
randsel(a, b, 0.1); will have a 10% chance of returning 'b', and a 90% chance of returning 'a'
randsel(a, b, 0.75); will have a 75% chance of returning 'b', and a 25% chance of returning 'a'
etc..
The order of the parameters can be counter-intuitive, but you can think of it like lerp(a,b,k), a value of 'k' close to 0 will return values close to 'a', a value of 'k' close to 1 will return values close to 'b'. Same with randsel(a,b,k), low values of 'k' return 'a' more often, high values return 'b' more often.

logic:

  return select(a, b, rand(0,1) < k);

randsign()
randsign(k)

Y

v1.12.0 randomly returns '-1.0' or '1.0'.

'randsign()' is equivalent to 'randsel(-1.0, 1.0)', or to 'sign(rand(-1,1))'
the version of 'randsign' with no arguments has equal probability to return '-1' or '1', and calling randsign(); is equivalent to calling randsign(0.5);
you can specify a custom probability to get either '-1' or '1' by using the the one-argument version of 'randsign':
randsign(0.1); will have a 10% chance of returning '1.0', and a 90% chance of returning '-1.0'
randsign(0.75); will have a 75% chance of returning '1.0', and a 25% chance of returning '-1.0'
etc..

logic:

  return select(-1.0, 1.0, rand(0,1) < k);

within(x,lower,upper)

Y

N

returns 1.0f if 'x' is within the [lower, upper] range, returns 0.0f otherwise.

all the function's arguments can be either scalars, or vectors. if some arguments are vectors, they must have the same dimension. The return value will be a vector as large as the largest input vector.
IE: you cannot call within(float2, float3, float4), but you can call within(float, float, float4) or within(float3, float, float3)

ex:
within(0.5, -1.2, 3.0); will return 1.0f.
within(float3(-2,0,2.5), -1.2, 3.0); will return float3(0.0, 1.0, 1.0).
within(1.5, -1.0, float4(0,1,2,3)); will return float4(0.0, 0.0, 1.0, 1.0).

remap(value, newMin, newMax)
remap(value, oldMin, oldMax, newMin, newMax)

Y

v1.8.0

remaps 'value' from the [oldMin, oldMax] range to the [newMin, newMax] range.
all the function's arguments can be either scalars, or vectors. if some arguments are vectors, they must have the same dimension. The return value will be a vector as large as the largest input vector.
IE: you cannot call remap(float2, float3, float4), but you can call remap(float, float, float4) or remap(float3, float, float3)
the version that has no 'oldMin' and 'oldMax' assumes the original range is [0,1]

ex:
remap(0.5, 1.0, 3.0); will return 2.0f.
remap(0.5, 0, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0); will return 3.0f.

all(c)

N

Y

returns true if ALL elements of vector 'c' are non-zero / not 'false'

'c' can be a boolean result of a compare operator, or any vector. ex:
all(float3(0) < float3(1,2,3)); will return true. all(float3(0) < float3(1,-2,3)); will return false.

logic:

foreach (element e in c)
  if (e == 0)
    return false;
return true;

any(c)

N

Y

returns true if ANY element of vector 'c' are non-zero / not 'false'

'c' can be a boolean result of a compare operator, or any vector. ex:
any(float3(0) > float3(1,2,3)); will return false. any(float3(0) > float3(1,-2,3)); will return true.

logic:

foreach (element e in c)
  if (e != 0)
    return true;
return false;

rotate(v, axis, angle)

Y

N

returns the vector 'v' rotated around 'axis' by 'angle'.

'v' and 'axis' are float3 vectors, 'angle' is the angle in radians (can be negative).
ex:
rotate(float3(1,0,0), float3(0,1,0), pi); will return float3(-1,0,0) (rotates float3(1,0,0) along the 'y' axis float3(0,1,0) by 180 degrees ('pi' radians), leading to the opposite vector float3(-1,0,0). rotate(float3(1,0,0), float3(0,1,0), pi/2); will return float3(0,0,1).

deg2rad(angle)
rad2deg(angle)

Y

N

v1.10.0

deg2rad(a) converts the input angle 'a' from degrees to radians.
deg2rad(90); will return pi/2.
deg2rad(123.456); will return 2.1547137.

rad2deg(a)converts the input angle 'a' from radians to degrees.
rad2deg(pi/2); will return 90.
rad2deg(1.23456); will return 70.735.

linear2srgb(c)
srgb2linear(c)

fast.linear2srgb(c)
fast.srgb2linear(c)

Y

N

v1.11.0

linear2srgb(c) converts the input color 'c' from linear space to sRGB space.

srgb2linear(v)converts the input color 'c' from sRGB space to linear space.

The 'fast' versions use an approximation (the absolute precision is under 0.001, and ), whereas the non-fast versions use the real sRGB piecewise-curve conversion.

rgb2hsv(c)
hsv2rgb(c)

Y

N

v1.13.0

rgb2hsv(c) converts the input color 'c' from RGB space to HSV space.

hsv2rgb(v)converts the input color 'c' from HSV space to RGB space.

The converters support HDR values.

For the HSV color-space, the H-value (hue) is wrapped from 0 to 1 (1 means 360°), the S-value (saturation) is clipped from 0 to 1 and the V-value (intensity) is positive.

bias(x, e)

Y

N

v1.13.0

bias(x, e) de-linearizes the input 'x' by applying a power function based on value 'e'. x is expected to be in the [0,1] range, e has to be in the [-1,1] range.

e = 0 : black (x)
e = +-0.3 : green
e = +-0.6 : yellow
e = +-0.85 : orange
e = +-0.99 : red

safe_normalize(v)
safe_normalize(v, vz)
safe_normalize(v, vz, epsilon)

fast.safe_normalize(v)
fast.safe_normalize(v, vz)
fast.safe_normalize(v, vz, epsilon)

Y

N/A

v1.5.5+ / v1.6.0

Normalizes the input 'v' vector and returns the resulting unit-vector. Unlike the 'normalize' and 'safe_normalize' builtins, these safe versions check for null vectors.
This will prevent normalizing a null vector and getting an Infinity or NaN vector in return.
Works on any vector dimensions.
ex:
safe_normalize(vector3); returns normalize(vector3), but if length(vector3) < 1.0e-8, returns float3(0,0,0).
safe_normalize(vector3, float3(0,1,0)); returns normalize(vector3), but if length(vector3) < 1.0e-8, returns float3(0,1,0).
safe_normalize(vector3, float3(0,1,0), 1.0e-6); returns normalize(vector3), but if length(vector3) < 1.0e-6, returns float3(0,1,0).

safe_normalize(vector3)

is equivalent to:

select(normalize(vector3), float3(0), length(vector3) < 1.0e-8);

logic:

if (length(v) < epsilon)
  return vz;
else
  return normalize(v);

noise(t)
fast.noise(t)

Y

N/A

v1.6.0

evaluates a coherent noise field. 't' can be a float, float2, float3, or float4 cursor. All functions return a single float value in the [-1,1] range.
noise() computes a high quality simplex-noise.
fast.noise() computes a slightly lower quality, but faster, noise.

ex:
noise(LifeRatio); will sample a 1D noise
noise(uv * 100); will sample a 2D noise
noise(Position); will sample a 3D noise
noise(float4(Position, scene.Time)); will sample a 4D noise

float3suf(side, up, forward)
float3suf(...)
float3sfu(side, forward, up)
float3sfu(...)

Y

N

v1.8.2

v1.10.0 (added SFU permutation)
Takes the side, up, and forward components and permutes/swizzles them based on the current Axis-System.
Accepts the same kind of arguments as the regular "float3" construction: you can pass a float2 and a float, a float3, or three floats.

example:

 float3suf(0, 18, 0);

Y-Up axis-system: float3(0, 18, 0);
Z-Up axis-system: float3(0, 0, 18);

example:

 float3 vec = float3(1, 2, 3);
 res = float3suf(vec);

Y-Up axis-system: res = vec; (no changes)
Z-Up axis-system: res = vec.xzy; (so: float3(1, 3, 2))

See #Axis-System helpers.

isfinite(v)
isinf(v)
isnan(v)

Y

N

v1.10.0

Useful to detect infinite or invalid values.

isfinite(v) returns true if 'v' is a finite value, false if not.

isfinite(42);     --> true
isfinite(1.0/0.0);--> false
isfinite(0.0/0.0);--> false

isinf(v) returns true if 'v' is an infinite value, false if not (either finite or NaN).

isinf(42);        --> false
isinf(1.0/0.0);   --> true
isinf(0.0/0.0);   --> false

isnan(v) returns true if 'v' is a NaN value (NaN = "Not a Number"), false if not.

isnan(42);        --> false
isnan(1.0/0.0);   --> false
isnan(0.0/0.0);   --> true

This function can be used to check the return values of some functions that return infinite values as a way to report en empty result. For example, spatial queries:

float3 p = spatialLayers.MyLayer.Position.closest(Position);
Position = select(Position, p, all(isfinite(p)));

blackbody(t)
fast.blackbody(t)

Y

N

v1.10.0

returns the normalized RGB chromaticity color of the emission spectrum of a blackbody at the specified temperature

The input value should be a temperature in degrees kelvin. For example, 800 will give a red color, 3000 will give an orange/yellow color, 5000/6000 will give a white color, and higher temperatures will give a blue color. RGB colors returned are in linear space, not in sRGB space.
Can be very useful for 'physically correct' lava/fire effects.

The 'fast' version uses a different algorithm (a polynomial fit on the final RGB curves) than the regular version (which uses a polynomial fit of the chromaticity-space planckian locus), is roughly twice faster, but much less precise (although it's probably fine for most applications).

Here's the RGB comparison between the regular and fast versions:

The two are virtually identical. Only when plotting the actual RGB curves you start seeing a difference:


`blackbody()`	`fast.blackbody()`	Rel. error times 10

asfloat(v)

Y

v1.9.0

reinterprets the input as a float. If given a float, does nothing. If given an int, will reinterpret its bits as if it was a float.
works on any vector, float to float4, int to int4.

asfloat(0x3F800000);     --> 1.0
asfloat(42.0);           --> 42.0
asfloat(int4(0x40490FDB, 0, 0xC0200000, -1071644672)) --> float4(3.141593, 0, -2.5, -2.5)

asint(v)

Y

v1.9.0

reinterprets the input as an int. If given an int, does nothing. If given a float, will reinterpret its bits as if it was an int.
works on any vector, float to float4, int to int4.

asint(1.0);              --> 0x3F800000
asint(42);               --> 42
asint(float4(3.141593, 0, -2.5, -2.5)) --> int4(0x40490FDB, 0, 0xC0200000, 0xC0200000)

Axis-System helpers

Here is quick list of Axis-System dependent function to help create Axis-System independent effects.

scene.axisUp()
scene.axisSide()
scene.axisForward()
scene.isRight()
scene.isRightSign()

float3suf(...)
float3sfu(...)

Vector swizzling/shuffling s u f (side, up, forward), works same way as x y z, but changes depending on the current axis system:
- Y-Up system .s => .x .u => .y .f => .z
- Z-Up system .s => .x .u => .z .f => .y

Examples:

 float3   vec = ...;
 float3   vec_plus_42_up = vec + scene.axisUp() * 42;
 float3   vec_plus_42_up = vec + float3suf(0, 42, 0);
 float3   vec_plus_42_up = vec + float3sfu(0, 0, 42);
 float3   vec_plus_42_up = float3suf(vec.s, vec.u + 42, vec.f);
 float3   vec_plus_42_up = float3sfu(vec.sf, vec.u + 42);

All those vec_plus_42_up gives the same vector for a given Axis System: vec offset by 42.0 on the Up axis (so it adds 42 to Y when Y-Up, or 42 to Z when Z-Up)

Scripting reference 1130

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