APEX Graph geometry node

Directly authors APEX graphs.

On this page	Parameters Inputs Outputs
Since	20.0

This node allows users to directly author an APEX graph in the APEX network view. The parameters on this node provide utilities to help with common APEX graph authoring operations.

The input to this node can be a graph geometry or data in a character folder structure.

See APEX graph basics and graphs for numerical operations for more information on creating graphs in the APEX network view.

Parameters ¶

Reset

Clears the graph geometry.

Edit Graph

Opens the APEX network view.

Error Handling

Provides the option to determine whether the graph is compilable.

Ignore

Does not compile the graph.

Report as Warnings

Compiles the graph and adds a warning to the APEX Graph SOP for each graph compilation error encountered.

Graph Path

The path to the rig in the character folder structure.

General Scripts

Merge Graph

Merges an APEX rig graph from another SOP into this node.

When the dialog comes up, you can either choose from the list of nodes, or select the SOP in the network editor, which automatically selects the corresponding node in the dialog.

As Subnet

When turned on, the graph from Merge Graph is merged into this node as an APEX subnet node.

Import SOP Nodes

Imports compilable SOPs into this node’s APEX graph. APEX nodes can only be verbs, so only compilable SOPs can be imported into an APEX graph. In the dialog, you can select multiple nodes by holding ⌃ Ctrl while selecting. The parameters on the imported graph nodes are set to the same values as the original SOP node parameters.

Add Missing APEX Convert Nodes

Adds conversion nodes where possible for all wires in the graph that connect ports with different types. Changes made are written to the comment on the node.

Update APEX Node Type Names

Updates all nodes with outdated type names to the current names. (The outdated type names are maintained for backwards compatibility). The updated graph may no longer load in older versions of Houdini.

Rigging Scripts

These rigging scripts are utilities based around the KineFX skeleton.

Skeleton Path

The path to the skeleton in the character folder structure.

Import KineFX Skeleton

Creates an FK hierarchy of TransformObject graph nodes corresponding to the selected KineFX skeleton. A TransformObject node is created for each joint in the skeleton.

When the dialog comes up, you can either choose the skeleton from the list of nodes, or select the SOP in the network editor, which automatically selects the corresponding node in the dialog.

Update Rest Transforms From Skeleton

Uses the transforms of the selected KineFX skeleton to update the rest transforms of the FK hierarchy previously created by Import KineFX Skeleton. The names of the TransformObject nodes must match the skeleton joint names for this to take effect.

When the dialog comes up, you can either choose the skeleton from the list of nodes, or select the SOP in the network editor, which automatically selects the corresponding node in the dialog.

Add SetPointTransforms

Takes the selected TransformObject nodes in the graph, connects them to a new SetPointTransforms node, and outputs a modified skeleton geometry. This updated graph can be used to transform a skeleton. See APEX geometry deformation for an example of a similar graph.

Select the TransformObject nodes in the graph.
Click Add SetPointTransforms.

A skeleton input is promoted in the graph (the skeleton is connected to the parms input node), a SetPointTransforms node is added to the graph with its input ports named according to the TransformObject names, and the same skeleton with its transforms updated is output.

Selected TransformObject nodes (top); APEX graph after adding SetPointTransforms (bottom)

Subgraphs

Save to Disk

Saves any subnets as a subgraph in the Output File.

Output File

The file to save the subgraph to.

Inputs ¶

Input

The APEX graph geometry used as the initial graph to edit. After the graph is edited, the input is ignored. This input can also be a packed folder structure.

Outputs ¶

Output

The updated APEX graph geometry.

Parameters ¶

Inputs ¶

Outputs ¶

Geometry nodes