Orient Curve

Summary

Orient Curve uses Parallel Transport to compute an orientation frame for each point along a curve. This operator provides a stable way of determining smooth orientation frames along the length of a curve, without the typical instabilities introduced by animation with traditional methods like Line Matrix POP.

The operator is built on the Parallel Transport algorithm, which maintains a consistent reference frame as it travels along a curve. This creates smooth, predictable orientations that are ideal for sweeping geometry or aligning instances. Built-in twist controls allow you to add rotational effects with precise control via custom ramp curves.

Parameters

Page: Orient Curve

Group Group If there are input groups, specifying a group name in this field will cause this POPX to act only upon the group specified.
Direction Direction Determines which edge direction to use for computing tangent vectors.
Next Edge next
Previous Edge prev
Invert N Invertn Inverts the normal direction of the orientation frame.
Custom First Tangent Customfirsttangent Enables custom tangent vector for the first point on the curve.
First Tangent Firsttangent Custom tangent vector direction for the first curve point.
First Tangent Firsttangentx
First Tangent Firsttangenty
First Tangent Firsttangentz
Twist Amount Twistamount Rotation amount in degrees applied along the curve length.
Open Twist Ramp Opentwistramp Opens the twist ramp editor.
Reset Twist Ramp Resettwistramp Resets the twist ramp to default.
Twist TOP Twisttop Reference to an external TOP for twist control. When specified, overrides the internal ramp editor.
Twist per Curve Twistpercurve When enabled with an external TOP, maps the texture to each curve individually for per-curve twist variation.
Twist by Attribute Twistbyattribute Enables twist control via a point attribute instead of the ramp or TOP.
Twist Attribute Twistattr Name of the point attribute to use for twist values when Twist by Attribute is enabled.

Page: Common

Bypass Bypass Pass through the first input to the output unchanged.
Free Extra GPU Memory Freeextragpumem Free memory that has accumulated when output memory has grown and shrunk.

Inputs

Input 0 POP Input Curve

Outputs

Output 0 POP POPX_out1