XGen Generator Attributes

Generate Primitives

Controls the distribution of primitives generated by XGen.

Randomly across the surface

Generates primitives in a random Poisson distribution over the patch. This is most useful for fur, grass, and weeds.

In uniform rows and columns

Generates primitives along parametric rows and columns. Use Spacing to specify the space between the primitives. XGen determines the number of appropriate rows and columns, on a per-face basis, to give a surface wide uniform appearance. XGen's random generator uses this value as a seed in it's instancing generation calculations.

At specified locations

Generates primitives at locations determined by the placement of points. Use Specify Points to place or change the location of primitives.

At guide locations

Generates primitives at locations determined by the placement of guides. Use the Add/Move Guide Tool to place or change the location of primitives.

See Create hair or fur using spline primitives.

From XPD File

Lets you use information from an XPD file to generate primitives.

For information about XPD files, see Manage XGen files and directories.

Generator Seed

Sets the procedural seed value. You can set Generate Seed to the same value in different Descriptions to generate primitives on the same points of the polygon surface.

Flip to other side of surface

Generates primitives on the opposite side of the polygon mesh.

Density

Controls the number of primitives created by XGen over a given area.

Mask

This number is a multiplier on the Density. Use an expression or image map here to vary the density of primitives over parts of the surface. Keep this value between 0 and 1, as it should only be used to decrease the number of primitives from the total Count.

More Primitives at, Primitive Locations

Click Specify Points to open the Specify Points Tool window, from which you can click locations of a polygon mesh to specify the placement of primitives.

See Add primitives to an existing Description.

Spacing

Controls spacing between the rows and columns of primitives when you use In uniform rows and columns to generate primitives.

Note: Setting Spacing to small values, such as 0.01, uses large amounts of memory when the Description is previewed and may cause Maya to stop unexpectedly.

Compensate Normals

Averages the growth normals for primitives to prevent visible faceting on curved surfaces. Use this when the primitive distribution shows obvious face boundaries.

Compensate for uneven parameterization

Redistributes primitives in areas where the distribution is uneven because the surface has a mix of small and large faces. When on, you need to click Create Parameterization Map to create a parameterization map.

Create Parameterization Map

Creates or updates the map used to compensate for uneven parameterization. Update this map if the surface shape is altered significantly.

Input Dir

Specifies the location of the XPD file you want to use when Generate Primitives is set to From XPD File.