Geometry Nodetree: CSV_ChartArea

The CSV_ChartArea Geometry node tree instances all chart objects.

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The CSV_ChartArea Geometry Node.

Components

Main Area

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Checkbox: CSV_Coordinates

Use Coordinates from the CSV file. Do not use manually, rather use the CSV Coords button in Chart Setup on the addon panel.

Chart_Obj_Main

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This area allows for choosing the chart object. A custom object may be used here.

Object: Chart_Object:

Default: CO_00_Multi_Object.

Select a chart object from the Outliner. Once selected the object will become the new chart area object.

Supported:

  • Mesh

  • Curve partially supported but converts to mesh.

Tip

If using a custom chart object. Make sure to hide your it in the Outliner otherwise it will show twice as this instances the original object.

Alternatively drag your object in the Outliner into the CSV_Chart_Area Collection.

Checkbox: Show_Chart_Area_Object

Show or hide the Chart Object.

Chart_Obj_Transform

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Transform the Chart Area. Affects the entire chart area.

Parameters are: Translate, Rotate, and Scale.

Chart_Obj_Random_Surf

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Only applies when Mesh_Geo_Align_Instance_To is set to Mesh_Random_Surface.

Use these parameters to change how Value Objects are distrubuted randomly.

Warning

Keep an eye on the instance count as it can dramatically increase very quickly making the chart or scene unresponsive.

Chart_Obj_Volume

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Only applies when Mesh_Geo_Align_Instance_To is set to Mesh_To_Volume.

Use these parameters to change how Value Objects are distrubuted within a volume.

The menu allows choosing between two volume types: Volume Random and Volume Grid. The parameters Volume_Density and Volume_Voxel_Amount affect both Volume Random and Volume Grid.

The rest of the the parameters affect Volume Random, unless it has the word “Grid” in which case it will affect the Volume Grid menu option.

Warning

Keep an eye on the instance count as it can dramatically increase very quickly making the chart or scene unresponsive.

Instances_Main

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Choose the Instance Collection for the CSV Data objects.

Collection: Instance_Collection

The collection containing the CSV Row data objects.

Warning

Do not change this collection. It is needed to correctly read the values from the CSV file.

Vector: Instance_Scale

Change the size of Value Objects on the Chart Area.

Instances_Index

When distributing instances on geometry, often there are more points on the mesh than what there are rows in the CSV data. In other words, if the geometry has 100 points and there are 100 rows in the csv file that would be a perfect scenario. If the geometry has 100 points and there are 20 rows in the csv file then 100 objects will be created, repeating rows 1 to 21 five times.

The below parameters allow some control over this issue (if it is an issue in your use case).

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Traverse_Index

Move Value objects along the Chart Area geometry indices. A Value of 0 means that Value Object with the index of 1 will be on the geometry index 1. A value of 25 will mean that Value Object with the index of 1 will be instanced on the geometry index 25.

Clamp_Index_Custom

Deletes any Value Object instances outside of the Clamp range below.

Clamp_Index_Min/Max

Sets the min and max for clamping Value Objects.

Clamp_Index_Phase

Moves the clamped indices along the indices of the Area Object.

Random_Index

Randomizes where Value Objects instance on the Area Object.

Tip

If your csv file has an Index column, you can assign it as the Main Value in the Panel: Chart Setup to help visualize this process.