Procedural Patterns Workflow¶

Master the art of creating repeating patterns, tilings, and textures procedurally - essential for architectural details, decorative elements, and surface treatments.

Overview¶

Learn to create: - Geometric patterns (grids, hexagons, radial) - Organic variations (randomness, noise-based) - Tiling systems (seamless repetition) - 3D surface patterns (relief, embossing)

Time: 30-45 minutes per pattern type

Pattern 1: Brick Wall¶

Goal¶

Create a realistic brick pattern with offset rows and mortar gaps.

Step 1: Single Brick¶

1. Add Box node
2. Size X: 0.2 (brick length)
3. Size Y: 0.1 (brick height)
4. Size Z: 0.05 (brick depth)

Step 2: Horizontal Row¶

1. Add Array node
2. Mode: Linear
3. Count: 10
4. Offset X: 0.21 (brick + mortar gap)
5. Offset Y: 0
6. Offset Z: 0

Result: Row of 10 bricks with gaps.

Step 3: Vertical Stacking¶

1. Add Array node (second one)
2. Mode: Linear
3. Count: 8
4. Offset X: 0
5. Offset Y: 0.11 (brick height + mortar)
6. Offset Z: 0

Result: 8 rows stacked vertically.

Step 4: Running Bond Pattern¶

Create offset on alternating rows:

1. Add Attribute Create node (before vertical array)
2. Name: row_offset
3. Type: Float

4. Value: Click ≡ → floor(@id / 10) % 2 * 0.105

5. Add Transform node

6. Translate X: Click ≡ → @row_offset

Result: Classic brick pattern with offset rows!

Step 5: Add Variation¶

Randomize brick colors:

1. Add Attribute Create node
2. Name: Cd
3. Type: Vector3
4. Value: [0.6 + rand(@id) * 0.15, 0.3 + rand(@id+100) * 0.1, 0.2]

Result: Subtle color variation per brick.

Pattern 2: Hexagonal Tiling¶

Goal¶

Create honeycomb/hex tile pattern.

Step 1: Single Hexagon¶

1. Add Cylinder node
2. Radius: 0.5
3. Height: 0.1
4. Segments: 6 (hexagon!)
5. Cap: ✅ Top and bottom

Step 2: Horizontal Row¶

1. Add Array node
2. Mode: Linear
3. Count: 8
4. Offset X: 1.5 (1.5 × radius for tight packing)
5. Offset Y: 0

Step 3: Offset Second Row¶

Hexagons pack with offset:

1. Duplicate the array (Ctrl+D)
2. Add Transform node
3. Translate X: 0.75 (half offset)
4. Translate Z: 0.866 (√3/2 × radius for vertical spacing)

Step 4: Stack Rows¶

1. Merge the two arrays
2. Add Array node (vertical)
3. Count: 6
4. Offset Z: 1.732 (√3 × radius)

Result: Perfect hexagonal tiling!

Step 5: Add Grout Lines¶

Create gaps between tiles:

1. Add Transform node (before merge)
2. Scale: 0.95 (shrink each tile 5%)

Result: Gaps appear as grout/mortar.

Pattern 3: Radial Pattern¶

Goal¶

Create circular/mandala-like pattern.

Step 1: Petal/Segment¶

1. Add Box node
2. Size X: 0.2
3. Size Y: 1.0

4. Size Z: 0.1

5. Add Transform node

6. Translate Y: 0.5 (offset from center)

Step 2: Radial Array¶

1. Add Array node
2. Mode: Radial
3. Count: Click ≡ → $petal_count (create graph param, default 12)
4. Axis: Z (perpendicular to pattern)
5. Angle: 360 degrees

Result: Flower-like radial pattern!

Step 3: Add Inner Ring¶

1. Duplicate array
2. Add Transform node
3. Scale: 0.5

4. Rotate Z: 15 degrees (offset from outer ring)

5. Merge with outer ring

Step 4: Center Detail¶

1. Add Cylinder node
2. Radius: 0.3

3. Height: 0.1

4. Merge with pattern

Result: Multi-layer radial design!

Pattern 4: Checkerboard¶

Goal¶

Create 3D checkerboard with raised tiles.

Step 1: Base Grid¶

1. Add Grid node
2. Segments X: 8
3. Segments Z: 8
4. Size X: 8
5. Size Z: 8

Step 2: Select Alternating Tiles¶

1. Add Group node
2. Mode: Expression
3. Expression: (floor(@P.x + 4) + floor(@P.z + 4)) % 2 == 0
4. Group: "white_tiles"

Step 3: Extrude White Tiles¶

1. Add Extrude node (if operates on groups)
2. Distance: 0.2

Or create two separate grids (white raised, black flat) and merge.

Step 4: Add Colors¶

1. Add Attribute Create node
2. Name: Cd
3. Type: Vector3
4. Value: @white_tiles ? [0.9, 0.9, 0.9] : [0.1, 0.1, 0.1]

Result: 3D checkerboard pattern!

Pattern 5: Organic Scatter¶

Goal¶

Natural-looking scattered elements (pebbles, grass clumps).

Step 1: Base Surface¶

1. Add Grid node
2. Segments X: 20
3. Segments Z: 20
4. Size: 10 × 10

Step 2: Create Element to Scatter¶

1. Add Sphere node (or any object)
2. Radius: Click ≡ → 0.1 + rand($seed) * 0.05

Step 3: Scatter on Surface¶

1. Add Scatter node
2. Input A: Grid (surface)
3. Input B: Sphere (object to scatter)
4. Count: Click ≡ → $scatter_density (graph param, default 100)
5. Random Seed: $seed

Step 4: Add Variation¶

Randomize scale and rotation:

1. Add Attribute Create node (on scattered instances)
2. Name: scale_var

3. Value: 0.8 + rand(@id) * 0.4

4. Add Transform node

5. Scale: Click ≡ → @scale_var
6. Rotate Z: rand(@id + 1000) * 360

Result: Natural-looking distribution with variation!

Pattern 6: Wave/Ripple¶

Goal¶

Sinusoidal wave pattern on surface.

Step 1: Base Grid¶

1. Add Grid node
2. Segments X: 50
3. Segments Z: 50
4. Size: 10 × 10

Step 2: Apply Wave Deformation¶

Displace vertices using sine function:

1. Add Attribute Create node
2. Name: wave_height
3. Type: Float

4. Value: sin(@P.x * $frequency) * $amplitude

5. Add Transform or displacement (future feature)

Current workaround: Use expression for Y position:

Create new position attribute:
@new_y = @P.y + sin(@P.x * 2.0) * 0.5

Step 3: Add Second Wave (Perpendicular)¶

@wave = sin(@P.x * $freq_x) * sin(@P.z * $freq_z) * $amplitude

Result: Ripple/interference pattern!

Step 4: Color by Height¶

1. Add Attribute Create node
2. Name: Cd
3. Value: [0, @P.y + 0.5, 1 - @P.y]

Result: Blue-to-white gradient wave!

Pattern 7: Voronoi/Cell Pattern¶

Goal¶

Organic cell-like divisions (future feature, manual approach).

Current Approach: Scatter + Regions¶

1. Add Grid (dense)

2. Segments: 100 × 100

3. Scatter points (seeds)

4. Count: 20

5. Attribute Create (distance to nearest seed)

6. Requires custom logic (future feature)

Simpler alternative: Use radial gradients from scattered points.

Advanced Techniques¶

Seamless Tiling¶

For repeating patterns:

1. Ensure dimensions match:
2. Pattern width = exact multiple of unit size

3. Pattern height = exact multiple of unit size

4. Wrap-around offsets:

   X offset at edge = X offset at start
   (modulo pattern width)
   

5. Test tiling:

6. Array the pattern
7. Check for visible seams

Combining Patterns¶

Layer multiple patterns:

Base pattern (large scale)
  ↓ Merge
Detail pattern (small scale)
  ↓ Boolean (subtract for cutouts)
Final composite

Parametric Control¶

Create graph parameters:

$pattern_scale = 1.0     (overall size)
$pattern_density = 8     (repetitions)
$variation_seed = 42     (randomness)
$detail_level = 0.5      (complexity)

Link all pattern parameters to these globals.

Best Practices¶

1. Start Simple¶

✅ Single element → Array → Variations
❌ Complex pattern all at once

2. Use Graph Parameters¶

✅ $brick_width, $mortar_gap, $row_offset
❌ Hard-coded values

3. Test Tiling Early¶

Array pattern 3×3
Check for seams/misalignment
Fix before adding detail

4. Optimize Poly Count¶

Brick wall:
- High detail: 500 tris per brick
- Low detail: 12 tris per brick

Use $detail_level to switch!

5. Color for Clarity¶

While building:
  Cd = @group_id (color by pattern unit)

Final:
  Cd = actual material color

Common Patterns Reference¶

Geometric¶

Organic¶

Troubleshooting¶

Pattern Not Aligning¶

Fix: - Check offset calculations - Ensure consistent spacing - Use exact mathematical spacing (e.g., √3/2 for hex)

Gaps or Overlaps¶

Fix: - Adjust scale (0.95 for gaps, 1.05 for overlap) - Check array offset matches element size - Test with simple shapes first

Too Many Polygons¶

Fix: - Reduce segments on base shapes - Lower array counts - Use LOD via $detail_level

Pattern Looks Repetitive¶

Fix: - Add randomization: rand(@id) - Vary: size, rotation, position - Use multiple seeds

Export for Textures¶

Bake to Texture¶

1. Create pattern in 3D
2. Render from orthographic camera
3. Use as:
4. Diffuse map
5. Normal map (with height variation)
6. Displacement map

Use as Relief¶

Keep as 3D geometry: - Low poly base - Pattern as surface detail - Export for close-up use

Learning Outcomes¶

After this tutorial, you can:

✅ Create geometric patterns (grids, hex, radial) ✅ Build organic scatter patterns ✅ Use expressions for mathematical patterns ✅ Apply variation and randomness ✅ Design tileable, seamless patterns

Next Steps¶

• Apply to Architecture - Architectural Modeling
• Use in Assets - Game Assets Workflow
• Master Attributes - Attributes
• Expression Power - Expression Syntax

Pattern Library Ideas¶

Build a reusable collection:

Flooring: - Wood planks - Tile grid - Stone blocks - Checkerboard

Walls: - Brick (running bond) - Brick (stack bond) - Stone masonry - Panel grid

Decorative: - Radial medallions - Geometric rosettes - Celtic knots (advanced) - Lattice screens

Organic: - Pebble scatter - Grass clumps - Rock formations - Bark texture

Key Takeaways¶

✅ Patterns = Element + Array + Variation ✅ Math functions enable complex patterns ✅ Randomness prevents repetition ✅ Graph parameters make patterns flexible ✅ Groups + expressions enable selective operations

Remember: A pattern is a system, not a static design!