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Documentation

Capsule / Beam Shape

VFX Loom 1.0 reference for the Capsule / Beam Shape node.

Generators generator.capsule
The Capsule / Beam Shape node on the VFX Loom graph canvas.
Fig. 1 The Capsule / Beam Shape node in its resting, collapsed state on the VFX Loom graph canvas.

Overview

Rounded line or beam from one finite-segment SDF.

Finite-segment signed-distance primitive. Width is the full capsule diameter; Width ≤ 0 is transparent. Start equal to End becomes a circle.

Category
Generators
Internal ID
generator.capsule
Version
VFX Loom 1.0

Inputs

InputTypeRequiredDefaultMeaning
coordinates Field Optional — Coordinate stream to sample; defaults to UV

Properties

PropertyTypeDefaultAnimatableRange / optionsEffect
Start Vector2 (.25,.5) Yes — Animatable control; changing it over time varies the node response.
End Vector2 (.75,.5) Yes — Animatable control; changing it over time varies the node response.
Width Scalar .12 Yes UI range: soft Animatable control; changing it over time varies the node response.
Softness Scalar .25 Yes — Animatable control; changing it over time varies the node response.

Outputs

OutputTypeMeaning
out Image The production node output described by the overview.
distance Image raw signed distance remapped to 0..1 like Shape

Usage

In practice

  • Use Capsule / Beam Shape when the graph needs Rounded line or beam from one finite-segment SDF.
  • Finite-segment signed-distance primitive. Width is the full capsule diameter; Width ≤ 0 is transparent. Start equal to End becomes a circle.
  • Use it as a source for a processing, colour, transform, or composite stage; leave optional coordinate inputs disconnected when the documented UV default is wanted.

Examples

These examples show Capsule / Beam Shape in supplied VFX Loom graph setups. Each graph link opens the corresponding node reference; the explanation below the media is specific to this node's role in that setup.

Animated Mapping → Noise → Levels → Mask → Blur

An animated procedural field meets a transformed capsule branch at Mask: Float Value controls Transform scale, while Animated Mapping drives Noise and Levels before the final Blur.

Capsule / Beam ShapeTransformWarpMaskBlur
Float ValueTransform
Animated MappingNoiseLevelsMask
VFX Loom graph showing Float Value, Capsule / Beam Shape, Transform, Warp, Animated Mapping, Noise, Levels, Mask, and Blur, with a soft animated-form preview.
Fig. 2The capsule and animated-noise branches meeting at Mask before the final Blur stage.
Fig. 3The same graph running as a flipbook: Animated Mapping changes the noise field while the mask and blur respond.

How Capsule / Beam Shape contributes

Capsule / Beam Shape supplies the rounded beam silhouette for the upper image branch.

Notes / limitations

  • No component bounds or step are declared for Start or End.
  • No step is declared for Width or Softness.
  • Shape Soft-edged SDF mask with Circle, Square, Ring, or Polygon.
  • Blur Gaussian-approximate blur, with tileable wrapping.
  • Colorize Maps an Image scalar field through a four-stop colour ramp; use Color Ramp only for a Scalar value.