Volume Spots

This component is used in example scene(s) such as:

22_CGClonePrefabs, 28_AsteroidBelt, 29_CGDeformMesh_BarbedWire.

Generates a collection of Spots by distributing Bounds along a Path or Volume. Each spot defines where one item from the Bounds array should be placed. Feed the output into Create Mesh or Create GameObject to instantiate the actual objects.

Items are organized into groups. A group is a set of items that are placed together as a unit. For example, a fence section made of three meshes: a start post, middle panels, and an end post. Groups can repeat along the path, either in order or randomly (with optional weighting).

Slots

Inputs

Name Type Description
Path or Volume Path or Volume The curve along which spots are distributed
Bounds[] Array of Bounds The bounding boxes of the objects to place

Outputs

Name Type Description
Spots Spots The generated placement spots

Settings

General

Controls placement range and cross-volume positioning.

Volume Path

Range

The portion of the path or volume along which spots are placed.

Volume Cross

Use Volume's Surface

When the input is a Volume, choose whether to place spots on the path center or on the volume's surface.

Cross Base

Shifts the cross-section origin by a constant value. On a volume, the initial base is defined in Shape Extrusion → Shift.

Cross Base Variation

Shifts the cross-section origin by a value that varies along the path's length. The curve's X axis is Relative Distance (0 = start of range, 1 = end). On a volume, the initial base is defined in Shape Extrusion → Shift.

Advanced

Simulate

Run a dry run to preview placement counts without creating spots.

Groups

Manage the list of groups. Add, remove, rename, and reorder groups here.

Repeating Groups

The range of groups that will repeat along the volume. Groups outside this range are placed only once (as fixed start/end groups).

Non repeating groups are highlighted with a blue background in the Inspector.

Repeating Order

How repeating groups are selected:

  • In Order - groups cycle in sequence
  • Random - groups are picked randomly, weighted by their individual weight values

Fits The End

(Only when non-repeating end groups exist)

When enabled, the last non-repeating group is placed exactly at the end of the range. When disabled, it is placed at the first available spot, which may leave a gap at the end.

Group Settings

Settings for each individual group.

Randomize Items

When enabled, items within the group are selected randomly.

Items #

(Requires Randomize Items)

The indices of the items available for random selection.

Keep Together

When enabled, the entire group is skipped if there is not enough space to fit all its items.

Space Before

Extra space to add before the group.

Space After

Extra space to add after the group.

Cross Base

Shifts the cross-section origin for this group specifically.

Ignore Module Cross Base

When enabled, this group ignores the Cross Base settings from the General tab.

Translation

Relative Translation

When enabled, translation is applied in world space rather than the path's local space.

Translation X / Y / Z

Position offset applied to each spot in this group.

Rotation

Rotation Mode

How spot rotation axes are defined relative to the path:

  • Full - uses direction and orientation
  • Direction - uses direction only
  • Horizontal - uses direction projected onto the XZ plane
  • Independent - ignores path data entirely
Rotation X / Y / Z

Rotation offset applied to each spot in this group.

Scale

Uniform Scaling

When enabled, scale is applied equally on all axes.

Scale X / Y / Z

Scale applied to each spot in this group.