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--- software:touch_designer [2025/12/02 10:35] – [Signal Flow & Data Types] mh
+++ software:touch_designer [2025/12/02 10:38] (current) – [Essential Tools & Best Practices] mh
@@ Line 107: / Line 107: @@
   * Instancing: SOP point count = CHOP sample count.
   * CHOPs depend on FPS; TOPs depend on resolution.
+===== Rendering Workflow =====
+==== SOP → COMP → TOP Pipeline ====
+  * SOPs exist on CPU → piped into Geometry COMP.
+  * Camera and Light COMPs define render scene.
+  * Render TOP outputs a 2D texture.
+==== Render TOP Fundamentals ====
+  * Inputs:
+    – Camera
+    – Geometry COMPs
+    – Lights
+  * End with a null TOP for stability.
+==== Cameras, Lights, Environment ====
+  * Keep one object per Geometry COMP when possible.
+  * Cameras operate like standard 3D transforms.
+  * Light types: Point, Spot, Directional.
+==== Common Rendering Patterns ====
+  * SOP chain → Null SOP → Geometry COMP
+  * Geometry → Render TOP → Composite/FX
+  * Use Select TOPs to inspect interim results.
+===== Output Pipeline =====
+==== Window COMP ====
+  * Main operator for projection/output.
+  * Settings:
+    – Monitor
+    – Opening Size
+    – Borders
+==== Perform Mode ====
+  * Enter using **''F1''**.
+  * Layouts may scale differently; test UI carefully.
+===== Tips, Tricks & Best Practices =====
+==== Null Strategy ====
+  * Use nulls at key checkpoints.
+  * Reference nulls elsewhere to avoid breaking chains.
+==== Select Strategy ====
+  * Extract channels with Select CHOPs.
+  * Organizes complex CHOP data streams.
+==== Resolution TOP ====
+  * Drop resolution early to speed up heavy FX.
+  * Increase resolution at end of chain.
+==== Useful Python Expressions ====
+  * ''absTime.frame'' → integer frame counter. Combine with math expression (e.g. ''* 0.5'') to control speed.
+  * ''absTime.seconds'' → time in seconds.
+  * ''me.digits'' → returns numeric suffix of OP name. Combine with math expression (e.g. ''* -5'') to increment or decrement a parameter as you copy/paste (useful for **Cache Select** building a trail effect for example).
+==== Cache & Cache Select ====
+  * Cache TOP stores multiple frames (heavy on VRAM).
+  * Cache Select references those frames without extra memory.
+  * Pair Cache + Reorder TOP for temporal RGB shifting.
+==== Instancing Workflow ====
+  * Match SOP points to CHOP samples.
+  * Enable instancing in Geometry COMP → Instance tab.
+  * Position, scale, rotation via CHOP channels.
+==== Optical Flow ====
+  * Outputs motion vectors (R = X velocity, G = Y velocity).
+  * Useful for simulations, particles, reactive systems.
+===== Common Techniques =====
+==== Feedback Loops ====
+  * Feedback TOP + Transform + Composite.
+  * Use Resolution TOP to prevent GPU overload.
+==== Trails ====
+  * CHOP Trail for numeric history.
+  * TOP composite trails for visual streaks.
+==== Multi-Layer Composite Setups ====
+  * Composite TOP blends layers using Over, Add, Screen, etc.
+==== CHOP-Driven Animation ====
+  * LFO, Noise, Trigger CHOPs for dynamic control.
+  * Export or reference in parameters.
+==== TOP FX Chains ====
+  * Common structure:
+    Source → Level → Blur → Edge → Composite → Null
+  * Keep heavy FX at low resolution.
+===== Creative Notes =====
+  * Repetition of simple forms builds complex visuals.
+  * Overlapping translucent layers enrich motion and depth.
+  * Vary timing, resolution, and color to create dynamic energy.
 ===== OLD VERSION =====
@@ Line 178: / Line 276: @@
 When using source loops into TOP Fx chains it's handy to pass them through a Resolution TOP and lower them down to half res to improve performance.
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-=== Useful python expressions ===
-  * ''absTime.frame'' will use the frame count to increment the parameter this expression is used on. Use math expression behind such as ''* 0.5'' to slow down (or speed up)
-  * ''absTime.seconds'' like the above but slower
-  * ''me.digits'' will return the digit (auto incremented) in the operator name. You can associate it with a math expression such as ''* -5'' to automatically increment or decrement a parameter as you copy/paste (useful for **Cache Select** building a trail effect for example).
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