The Branch Bender Element works by adding bending points to existing branches. Each bend point along the length of a branch could add directional change to it, modifying the shape of the branch as a whole.
Max and Min Bend Points
Max and min bend points values set the number of possible bend points on a branch. The final number of bend points are calculated using the distribution curves on this element.
Length Distribution Curve
Distribution curve to calculate the number of points assigned to a branch based on the length of it. The x axis represents the lengths of the branches of the tree (0 for the shortest branch and 1 for the longest one); the y axis represents the minimum and maximum number of bend points (0 minimum, 1 maximum). This curve is combined with the level distribution curve to assign the number of bend points on each branch.
Linear distribution (all lengths get the max bend points). Min bend points = 1; max = 4.
Linear distribution with min bend points (min = 1) assigned to shorter branches and max bend points (max = 4) to longer ones.
Linear distribution with min bend points (min = 1) assigned to longer branches and max bend points (max = 4) to shorter ones.
Level Distribution Curve
Distribution curve to calculate the number of points assigned to a branch based on it global position on the tree hierarchy. The x axis represents the hierarchical position of the branches (0 for the trunk, 1 for the tips); the y axis represents the minimum and maximum number of bend points (0 minimum, 1 maximum). This curve is combined with the length distribution curve to assign the number of bend points on each branch.
Linear distribution (all hierarchy branch levels get the max bend points). Min bend points = 1; max = 4.
Linear distribution with min bend points (min = 1) assigned to trunk branches and max bend points (max = 4) to terminal ones.
Linear distribution with max bend points (max = 4) assigned to trunk branches and min bend points (min = 1) to terminal ones.
Randomize Spacing
Adds a value to randomize spacing between bend point on a branch.
Spacing Curve
Curve to spatially distribute the assigned bend points along the branch length. The x axis represents the length of every branch (0 at base, 1 at top).
Gravity Angle
Value to align the overall branch shape to point towards the gravity vector or against it. A value of 1 bends the branch upwards (against the gravity vector) and a value of -1 bends it towards the gravity vector.
Gravity Angle Curve
Curve of distribution of gravity angle value on branches of the tree based on their position of the hierarchy. The x axis represents the hierarchical position of the branches (0 for the trunk, 1 for the tips); the y axis goes from 0 to the value of the gravity angle.
Random Angle
Adds randomized direction to the bend points on a branch, while maintaining the overall branch shape.
Random Angle Curve
Curve of distribution of random angle value on branches of the tree based on their position of the hierarchy. The x axis represents the hierarchical position of the branches (0 for the trunk, 1 for the tips); the y axis goes from 0 to the value of the random angle.