Length to Scalar

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Length to Scalar


Overview[edit]

The Length to scalar node calculates the length, or magnitude, of the Input vector and then outputs the length as a scalar. The length is calculated using the following formula:

    scalar becomes square root of( vector.x x vector.x + vector.y x vector.y + vector.z x vector.z )


Node Network view using the output from the Length to scalar to displace the surface terrain.
Render showing the displacement caused by the value of the Length to scalar node.


This node has no other settings apart from the Input node.


Settings:

  • Name: This setting allows you to apply a descriptive name to the node, which can be helpful when using multiple Length to Scalar nodes in a project.
  • Enable: When checked, the node is active and the conversion operation will take place. When unchecked the values assigned to its Main Input, if any, are passed through, otherwise a value of 0 is passed through.



A scalar is a single number. 1, 200.45, -45, -0.2 are all examples of scalar values.

A vector is a set of three scalars, normally representing X, Y and Z coordinates. It also commonly represents rotation, where the values are pitch, heading and bank.

A single object or device in the node network which generates or modifies data and may accept input data or create output data or both, depending on its function. Nodes usually have their own settings which control the data they create or how they modify data passing through them. Nodes are connected together in a network to perform work in a network-based user interface. In Terragen 2 nodes are connected together to describe a scene.