Sorcar

Procedural modeling in Blender using Node Editor

BlenderArtist Thread: https://blenderartists.org/t/sorcar-procedural-modeling-in-blender-using-node-editor/1156769 Intro & Tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZiIC3gdS_O7nCm1-xpWbZmTQWeL5c6KV Trello (Project Tracker): https://trello.com/b/aKIFRoTh/sorcar Documentation: https://github.com/aachman98/Sorcar/wiki

About

Sorcar is a procedural modeling node-based system which utilises Blender and its Python API to create a visual programming environment for artists and developers. Heavily inspired by Side-FX Houdini, it presents a node editor with a variety of modular nodes to make the modelling workflow easier and fast. Most of the nodes are blender internal operations (bpy.ops.mesh/object) which also makes it easier for frequent blender users to manipulate geometry. It helps the users to quickly create 3D models and control node parameters to generate limitless variations in a non-destructive manner. It also provides the users to view and edit mesh on any stage of the node network independently, with realtime updates.

Release & Instructions

Latest Release (v3.2.1) Requirement: Blender 2.81 or later

1. Download the zip file and install it as a Blender addon (Edit -> Preferences... -> Add-ons -> Install...)
2. Open Sorcar Node Editor (Do not remove the 3D viewport as it is required by some operations like extrude, transform, ...)
3. Click on the + button to create a new tree
4. Press Shift+A to open the nodes menu. Alternatively, navigate through tabs on the Right panel in the node editor
5. Select the desired node and press "Set Preview"

Open blender using a command prompt to view logs and errors, if encountered.

Features

	VISUAL PROGRAMMING Don't like programming? Construct geometries using custom algorithms, maths or generate patterns without writing a single line of code!
NON-DESTRUCTIVE WORKFLOW Want to change cylinder vertices after bevel? Edit node parameters at any point without the fear of losing mesh data. Also apply same procedural operations to different objects easily.
	REAL-TIME UPDATES Quick as the wind... Drive a parameter using current frame value (or manually change it) and see the mesh update in viewport.
ITERATE & RANDOMIZE Need multiple extrusions of random amount? Generate variations in mesh by using seed-controlled pseudorandom numbers. Use loops to handle repeatitive operations with same level of randomness.
	AUTOMATION Modify, Save, Repeat... Use frame number to drive seed value and batch export the meshes in different files.
250+ NODES At your service! A growing list of functions available as nodes (operators & scene settings) including custom inputs, curve/mesh conversion, selection & transform tools, modifiers and component level operators.

• Node-Groups to collapse big node networks into a single node with custom inputs & outputs
• Simplified node sockets with internal data conversion for the convenience of users.
• Colour-coded nodes (preview, error, invalid inputs etc.) for easier debugging.
• Multi-level heirarchy & auto-registration of classes for easy development of custom nodes in any category (existing or new).

and more...!

Nodes

	Inputs Primitive Meshes (Cube, Cylinder, Sphere, ...), Empty Object, Import FBX, Custom Object from the scene, Create Object using arrays of Vertices, Edges & Faces
	Curves Custom Curve from the scene, Text, Import SVG, Geometry/Shape/Spline Properties, Mesh-Curve or Curve-Mesh Conversion
	Transform Set/Add/Randomize transform (Edit/Object mode), Apply/Copy transform in world/local axes, Create custom orientation
	Selection Manual, invert/toggle, loops, random, similar components or by their property (location, index, normal, material, ...)
	Deletion Delete/Dissolve selected components (or loops)
	Component Operators Bevel, Decimate, Extrude, Fill, Inset, Loop Cut, Merge, Offset Loop, Poke, Screw, Spin, Subdivide, UV Map, Assign material or vertex groups
	Object Operators Duplicate, Raycast/Overlap, Merge, Scatter, Set/Clear Parent, Voxel/QuadriFlow Remesh, Shading, Viewport Draw Mode
	Modifiers Array, Bevel, Boolean, Build, Cast, Curve, Decimate, Remesh, Shrinkwrap, Skin, Solidify, Subsurf, Wave, Weighted Normal, Wireframe
	Constants Number (Float/Int/Angle/Random), Bool, Vector, String, Selection Type (Face/Vert/Edge)
	Arrays Create/Append Arrays, Add/Remove elements, Reverse, Search, Clear, Count, Get
	Noise Cell (Vector/Float), Fractal, Multi-Fractal, Hetero-Terrain, Ridged, Turbulence (Vector/Float), Variable Lacunarity, Voronoi
	Utilities String/Bool/Vector ops, Maths, Clamp, Map, Trigonometry, Get/Set Variables, Node-Groups, Scene/Component/Object Info, Custom Python Script
	Flow Control For loop, For-Each loop (Array/Components), If-Else Branch
	Settings Cursor Transform, Edit Mode, Pivot Point, Snapping, Proportional Editing, Transform Orientation

Upcoming Feature

1. Export nodes as python code
2. Send to UE4/Unity (live-link)
3. Point scatter & voronoi fracture nodes
4. Debugging tools: Watch/track values of node parameters

Future

1. Complete integration with Blender's internal dependency graph
2. Node-Viewport link: Create nodes automatically in editor based on actions in 3D viewport
3. Landscape (noise/masking/erosion) and Foliage (grass/bush/trees) nodes

Showcase

Changelog

v3.2.1

• Added support for object registration & unregistration on each evaluation (handled by nodetree instead of individual nodes)
• Added custom variables in "Custom Python Script" node: _C (bpy context), _D (bpy data), _O (bpy ops), _S (context scene), _N (self node), _NT (self nodetree), _VAR (nodetree variables), _IN (input socket data)
• Added "Select by Index Array" selection node
• Added "Default" input socket in "Get Variable" node to set value if variable not initialised
• Added "Hide Original" bool input prop in "Scatter" node
• Added "Clear Variables" nodetree property in "Properties" UI panel to clear data on re-evaluation
• Added "Clear Preview" operator (shortcut: Alt+E) to clear current preview node
• Added "Execute Node" & "Clear Preview" ops to "Utilities" UI panel
• Improved "Send to Sverchok" node to include selection mask with mesh data sent
• Improved "Receive from Sverchok" node to set selection mask to mesh data received
• Improved "Get/Set Variable" nodes to initialise empty variable in nodetree before accessing property
• Improved "Execute Node" operator: removed redundant tree type check
• Improved "apply_all_modifiers" & "remove_object" helper methods
• Fixed "Separate" node: object array output instead of single object
• Fixed socket interface classes for node-groups
• Fixed "Select Vertices by Connection": switch to vertex mode before selection
• Renamed "Merge" & "Delete" nodes: added "Component" suffix
• Renamed "Cursor" node to "Cursor Transform"
• Renamed "File" input socket to "Directory" in "Export FBX" node

v3.2.0

• Added "Node Group" utility node
• Added "Group Nodes" and "Edit Group" operators to create/modify node groups
• Added new keymaps for creating and editing node groups (Ctrl+G, Tab)
• Added UI panel base class and 3 new panels: "Properties", "Utilities" and "Node Groups"
• Added "Send to Sverchok" utility node to pass mesh data (verts/edges/faces) to Sverchok node (Requires "Receive From Sorcar" node in Sverchok nodetree; awaiting PR #3281)
• Added "Receive from Sverchok" input node to fetch mesh data (verts/edges/faces) from Sverchok node (Requires "Send To Sorcar" node in Sverchok nodetree; W.I.P.)
• Added "Text Block" constant node to output multi-line string from Text Editor
• Added node interface base class and sub-classes for all sockets to support node-groups (with custom properties)
• Added Wiki and Bug Reporter links in add-ons manager (#127)
• Improved object input nodes to clean up geometry when removed
• Improved socket base class to show error icon when execution fails
• Improved "Custom Object" input node: inherit from input base class, apply all modifiers before execution
• Improved Import/Export nodes to select directory path using file picker UI
• Improved "Material Parameter" node to show all available nodes & sockets as a drop-down (search)
• Improved "Scene Info" node: added new outputs for world unit scale length, active/selected/all objects from the scene; removed "Realtime" tree property
• Improved "Duplicate Object" node: added "Linked" input socket
• Improved "get_override" and "sc_poll_op" helper methods
• Improved all operators: show tooltips, new category (prefix)
• Improved all socket base classes to support node-groups
• Fixed socket base class to avoid executing node-group input nodes
• Fixed "Dissolve" node
• Fixed nodetree execution
• Fixed "Array" socket label (length of the evaluated array)
• Fixed "Instancing" node

v3.1.6

• Added "Set Dimensions" & "Set Object Name" object operator nodes
• Added "Add ..." input nodes to append primitive object geometry to current object
• Added "set_preview" method in nodetree class
• Added curve ops base class & "Curve Shape/Geometry/Spline Properties" nodes
• Improved "Object Info" node to output object's name, dimensions and bounding box vertices
• Improved "Component Info" node to output face area
• Renamed input nodes to "Create ..." (added prefix)
• Renamed "update_ext" nodetree method to "set_value"
• Fixed "remove_object" helper function
• Fixed vertex group selection & component operator nodes
• Fixed "get_override" helper method to search for correct window/area/region

v3.1.5

• Added keymap support to quickly execute selected node (Key: 'E')
• Added new "Curve" category & socket to handle objects with curve data
• Added method for modifying node parameter externally (automatically re-evaluates nodetree)
• Added "Import SVG" & "Text" curve input nodes
• Added "Convert to Mesh" & "Convert to Curve" nodes
• Added "Create Object" input node
• Added "QuadriFlow Remesh" object operator node
• Added "Warp" & "Randomize Vertices" transform nodes
• Added Weld, Lattice, Shrinkwrap & Weighted Normal modifier nodes
• Added "Proportional Editing" & "Snap" settings node
• Added "Clear Parent", "Get Parent", & "Get Children" object operator nodes
• Improved "Scatter" node to support instanced scattering
• Improved "Maths Operation" node to include more operations & better menu layout
• Improved "Parent" node to include option to set the inverse parent correction
• Improved "Skin Modifier" node to allow skin resize for selected vertices
• Renamed transform nodes to "World/Local Transform"
• Fixed issue with Crease, Edge-Slide, Skin-Resize local transform
• Fixed custom object/curve nodes to hide original object
• Fixed issue with rerouting socket connections
• Fixed transform nodes to use snapping & proportional editing settings
• Fixed object deletion helper method to remove orphaned data
• Fixed "Select Nth" node parameter minimum value

v3.1.4

• Added "Voxel Remesh" object operator node
• Added "Raycast (Scene)" utility node (renamed "Raycast" to "Raycast (Object)")
• Added "Instancing" & "Parent" object operator nodes
• Added "Empty" and "Single Vertex" input nodes
• Added "Hide/Unhide Component" and "Mark Component" nodes
• Fixed "Element" output pin type of "Begin For-Each Loop" node
• Fixed issue with addon activation
• Fixed int conversion in "Shortest Path" selection nodes

v3.1.3

• Added "For-Each Component Loop" nodes
• Added "Get/Set Variable" nodes
• Added "To Sphere" transform node
• Added "Select Vertices by Connections" selection node
• Fixed issue with reset() attribute
• Improved "For" & "For-Each" loop nodes
• Improved "Select Manually" node

v3.1.2

• Added noise nodes (cell, fractal, voronoi, ...) in a new category "Noise"
• Added array operation nodes (add, remove, search, ...) in a new category "Arrays"
• Added "Material Parameter" node
• Renamed "Edit Mode" node to "Set Selection Mode"
• Moved "Get Element" & "Make Array" node to "Arrays" category
• Added selection type input socket in "Set Selection Mode" node
• Added custom overridable method for socket layout drawing
• Removed redundant sorcar_updater folder (also added in gitignore)

v3.1.1

• Added addon updator by CGCookie
• Fixed issue with realtime update checkbox in "Scene Info" node
• New socket type: Selection Type
• Ability to change selection type directly though selection nodes
• Added issue templates for bug report & feature request

v3.1.0

• Support for Blender 2.8
• New architecture for data flow node executions
• Improved socket types and node hierarchy
• Internal data conversions

Contributors

• @tomoaki-e33 (Tomoaki Nakano) - Active Developer (#107, #110, #111)
• @devilvalley (袁腾鹏) - Bug fix in "Select Nth" selection node (#106)
• @CORPSE-SYS - Active Developer (#83, #96)
• @zebus3d - Active Developer (#88, #90, #104)
• @CGCookie (CG Cookie) - Addon updater (Github)
• @8176135 - Individual edit mode type in selection nodes using a new socket (#80)
• @BrentARitchie - Documentation Maintainer
• @huiyao8761380 (TangHui) - Documentation Maintainer
• @Megalomaniak (Felix Kütt) - Documentation Structuring
• @kichristensen (Kim Christensen) - Port Sorcar (v2) to Blender 2.80 (#54)
• @SevenNeumann (Mark) - Icons for Sorcar & layout design for main menu (#46)

And the amazing BlenderArtists community!