Parametric Curve
The most flexible frame generator. It creates a path of points where each point's position and color is set by the signals wired into it. Every input is evaluated per-point, so wiring an Oscillator into X produces a different X value at each point along the frame.
This is the node you reach for when building parametric shapes, Lissajous figures, or anything that doesn't fit the preset shape nodes.
Inputs
| Port | Type | Default | Range | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X | Scalar | 0.0 | −1–1 | Horizontal position per point |
| Y | Scalar | 0.0 | −1–1 | Vertical position per point |
| Z | Scalar | 0.0 | −1–1 | Depth position per point (used with Camera Projection) |
| Scale | Scalar | 1.0 | 0–2 | Uniform scale applied to the whole frame |
| Rotation | Scalar | 0.0 | −1–1 | Frame rotation (full turns) |
| Color | Color | white | — | Per-point color, evaluated at each sample |
Outputs
| Port | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | Frame | The constructed path-based frame |
Controls
Resolution: Low, Medium, High, or Very High. Sets how many points the curve is sampled at.
Ideas
- Wire two Oscillators with different cycle counts into X and Y for classic Lissajous figures. The ratio between cycles determines the shape: 1:2 gives a figure-8, 2:3 gives a pretzel.
- Patch an Audio Input (Waveform mode) into Y and a simple ramp into X for a live audio scope display.
- Wire a Color node into Color, then drive its Hue with an Oscillator for a rainbow gradient that shifts along the path.
- Use Z with a Camera Projection node downstream to build 3D forms: a helix, a sphere scan, or any parametric 3D curve.
Tips
- More points mean smoother curves but cost more scanner time. Use the Resolution dropdown to balance the two.
- All inputs are sampled at the frame's point count. A constant value (no wire) applies the same position to every point, which collapses the shape to a single dot.
Related
- Oscillator: primary signal source for parametric shapes
- Camera Projection: add 3D perspective to Parametric Curve output
- Color: build the Color signal to wire into the Color input
- Colorize: alternative way to apply color after frame creation
- Circle: simpler preset for when you just need an ellipse