MDD Point Cache render node

This output operator is used to write an MDD animation file.

All Parameters Local variables Example files

See also: MDD

This output operator is used to write an MDD animation file based on point locations in a particular geometry. The number of points in the geometry must not change, and the frame range must monotonically increase.

Parameters

Render

Begins the render with the last render control settings.

Render Control

Opens the render control dialog to allow adjustments of the render parameters before rendering.

Render with Take

Uses the settings in a particular take while rendering. Choose “Current” to use the current take when rendering.

Valid frame range

Limits the rendering of frames, when set to “Render frame range” or “Render frame range only”.

Render any frame

Allow the renderer to render any and all frames.

Render frame range

Only render the frames in the range set below, but allow the renderer to render other frames if they are referenced by in-range frames.

Render frame range only (strict)

Only render the frames in the range set below, and don’t allow the renderer to render other frames, even if they are referenced by in-range frames.

SOP Path

The SOP node which contains the points used to write the file.

Output File

Name of the MDD file to write.

Transform

Specifies whether the geometry should be transformed into world space before written out.

Scale

Specifies a scale on the geometry before written out.

Coordinate System

The coordinate system used in the MDD file. If this is set to Right-Handed, z coordinates will be negated upon writing from Houdini’s native left-handed coordinate system.

Relative Time Values

If set, time values will be written out relative to the starting frame.

Tip

To import an MDD file that was saved with this option enabled, the Frame parameter of the MDD surface node should use the expression $FF+1-start frame instead of $FF. For sequences starting at frame 1 though, this is not necessary.

Initialize Simulation OPs

Force all simulation OPs to be reset. This includes DOP Networks, POP SOPs, and other OPs that cache their results.

This is the safest way to render out a simulation, because it starts the simulation from scratch and discards any partial simulations you might have done with different parameters.

Local variables

N

The current frame of the range specified. This always starts at 1.

NRENDER

Total number of frames being rendered.

Example files

SimpleMDD

$HFS/houdini/help/examples/nodes/sop/mdd/SimpleMDD.otl

Load | Launch

This example demonstrates how to use the MDD SOP and MDD File Writer ROP.

Usages in other examples

Example name Example for