Overview & Purpose
The Segments tool, a close relative of the Spiral tool, focuses on creating designs and animations by drawing a path composed of straight line segments that turn at specified intervals and angles. It's well-suited for generating geometric patterns and precise path-based animations. Like the Spiral tool, it can incorporate wave motions and provides data export capabilities.
A key feature is the Polygon Spiral Creator, which allows users to generate keyframes that form spirals based on regular polygons, offering fine control over the resulting shape.
For dynamic path visualization, consider using the Echo fuse by Jacob Danell, available on Reactor or directly from Steakunderwater. This fuse can trace the path of the animation created by the Segments tool.
Interactivity Mode
| Mode | Description |
|---|---|
| Interactivity On (Button) | Default mode. The animation path is calculated live based on current parameters. This can be resource-intensive for complex setups or long durations. |
| Show Saved (Button) | Switches the tool to display the animation based on the last data saved via the Save Segments Data button. This prevents live recalculation, improving performance while tweaking parameters if the underlying animation is complex. The tool will automatically use newly saved data when Save Segments Data is pressed again, without needing to re-select Show Saved. To see live updates from parameter changes, switch back to Interactivity On. |
Parameters
Most parameters in the Segments tool can be animated with keyframes, offering extensive creative possibilities. However, the Start Heading parameter in the Basic Controls is an exception and is read only at frame 0 to establish the initial direction.
Basic Controls
| Parameter | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Start Heading | The initial direction (in degrees) the animation path will take. 0 degrees points right. This value is read at frame 0. | 0 |
| Velocity | The speed at which the animation path progresses along its current heading. Units are relative to image size per frame. | 0.25 |
| Turn Frequency | The number of frames between each turn in the path. | 24 |
| Turn Angle | The angle (in degrees) by which the path's heading changes at each turn. Positive values turn counter-clockwise, negative values turn clockwise. | 0 |
| X Offset / Y Offset | Shifts the entire animation path horizontally (X Offset) or vertically (Y Offset) from the default center (0.5, 0.5). Values are typically in Fusion's normalized coordinates. | 0 / 0 |
| Heading Offset | Applies an additional angular offset (in degrees) to the current heading of the animation path. Keyframing this can create twisting or deviating paths. | 0 |
| Turn Softening | Rounds off the corners of the turns. A value of 0 creates sharp turns. Higher values (up to 10) create smoother transitions. Works best with higher turn frequencies. | 0 |
| Aspect Ratio | Stretches or compresses the overall animation path along its X-axis relative to its Y-axis. A value of 1.0 maintains the calculated proportions. | 1.0 |
Rotation (Image Rotation)
These controls affect the rotation of the input image itself as it travels along the generated path. All parameters in this section can be keyframed.
| Parameter | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Rotation Offset | Sets an initial rotation (in degrees) for the input image. | 0 |
| Maintain Heading (Checkbox) | If checked, the image will automatically orient itself to point along the direction of the path, including deviations caused by waves or heading offset. | Checked |
Waves
Two independent waves can be applied to modify the path, similar to the Spiral tool. All parameters in this section, including the Align Waves To Heading Offset checkbox, can be keyframed.
| Parameter | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Wave (Perpendicular to Heading) | ||
| Wave Type | Selects the shape of the wave affecting movement perpendicular to the current heading (None, Sine, Triangle, Bounce, etc.). | None |
| Period | Number of frames it takes for one cycle of the primary wave to complete. | 24 |
| Amplitude | Maximum displacement caused by the primary wave, perpendicular to the path's heading. Measured in image heights. | 1.0 |
| Phase Offset | Shifts the starting point of the primary wave cycle (in degrees). | 0 |
| Secondary Wave (Parallel to Heading) | ||
| Wave Type | Selects the shape of the wave affecting movement along the current heading. | None |
| Period | Number of frames for one cycle of the secondary wave. | 24 |
| Amplitude | Maximum displacement caused by the secondary wave, along the path's heading. Measured in image heights. | 1.0 |
| Phase Offset | Shifts the starting point of the secondary wave cycle (in degrees). | 0 |
| Wave Alignment | ||
| Align Waves To Heading Offset (Checkbox) | If checked (default), the axes of the primary and secondary waves orient along the path's current heading (after Heading Offset is applied). If unchecked, waves are applied based on the heading before Heading Offset. |
Checked |
Polygon Spiral Creator
This section allows you to automatically generate keyframes on Velocity, Turn Frequency, and Turn Angle to create precise polygonal spiral patterns.
| Parameter | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Polygon Sides | Number of sides for the base polygon of the spiral (e.g., 3 for triangle, 4 for square, 8 for octagon). | 4 |
| In/Out | Determines if the spiral animates from outside-in (Spiral In) or inside-out (Spiral Out). | Spiral In |
| Spiral Direction | Sets the spiral's rotation as Clockwise or Counterclockwise. | Counterclockwise |
| Spiral Gap Type |
Absolute: The gap between spiral arms remains constant. Proportional: The gap reduces proportionally with each arm, creating a tunnel effect. |
Absolute |
| Spiral Width Source |
Use Gap Width: Uses the Spiral Gap Width parameter value directly.Fit: Calculates the gap width so the spiral completes perfectly by the Max Spiral Frames or end of the composition. Requires Spiral In mode.
|
Fit |
| Spiral Gap Width | The initial gap or thickness between spiral arms if Spiral Width Source is set to Use Gap Width. Effective range typically 0-0.5. | 0.2 |
| Spiral Using |
Velocity: Creates the spiral by keyframing the Velocity parameter. Recommended for design work. Allows Star Intensity.Turn Frequency: Creates the spiral by keyframing Turn Frequency. Maintains constant velocity but can result in less precise shapes. Does not support Star Intensity.
|
Velocity |
| Star Intensity | Modifies the base polygon into a star shape by moving segment midpoints. Positive values push midpoints in (sharper star), negative values pull them out (blunter star/concave sides). Only works if Spiral Using is Velocity and the Turn Frequency for segments is appropriate (e.g., >=3 frames per segment). |
0 |
| Spiral Start Frame | The frame on which the generated spiral keyframes will begin. | 0 |
| Max Spiral Frames | The maximum duration (in frames from Spiral Start Frame) for the generated spiral. If the composition's render end is reached before this duration, the shorter duration will be used for calculations. |
10000 |
Understanding the Polygon Spiral Creator & Animation Engine
It's important to understand that the Polygon Spiral Creator is a utility that only generates keyframes on the Velocity, Turn Frequency, and Turn Angle parameters. It does not directly control the animation engine of the Segments tool itself. The Segments tool's animation engine will always attempt to calculate a path based on the values of its parameters for every frame of the composition.
This means if you use the Spiral Creator to generate keyframes for a spiral that starts after frame 0 or ends before the last frame of your composition, the Segments tool will still animate the image outside this defined spiral range based on the parameter values present on those frames. This can lead to unexpected movement if not managed.
To control the animation outside the created spiral's range:
- Set keyframes on
Velocityto 0 on frames where you want no movement. - You might also need to keyframe
Turn FrequencyandTurn Angleto stable values. - If your spiral starts after frame 0, ensure the
Turn Frequencyat frame 0 is set to the value ofSpiral Start Frame. This helps ensure the first turn of the created spiral aligns correctly with theSpiral Start Frame. - For complex scenarios, consider creating the spiral in a separate composition that exactly matches the desired spiral duration, then bringing that rendered element into your main composition.
Tool Actions
| Action Button | Description |
|---|---|
| Polygon Spiral Creator Actions | |
| Create Spiral | Analyzes the Polygon Spiral Creator settings and generates keyframes on Velocity (or Turn Frequency) and Turn Angle from the Spiral Start Frame to create the specified spiral. All existing keyframes on these three parameters will be overwritten. |
| Clear Spiral Keys | Removes all keyframes from Velocity, Turn Frequency, and Turn Angle. It then sets a single keyframe for each of these parameters at the Spiral Start Frame, restoring them to the values they held at that frame just before the Create Spiral button was last pressed (these values are stored internally by the tool). |
| Segments Data Actions | |
| Save Segments Data | Calculates and stores the complete animation path data internally. Essential before creating a polygon or exporting. |
| Create Polygon | Generates a new PolylineMask tool representing the path from the saved segments data. The points included in the polygon correspond to the frames within the composition's current Working Range (render range in/out points). |
| Export Segments Data | Saves the internal path data as a CSV file. Requires data to be saved first. Important: You must enter the full desired file path, including the filename and the .csv extension. |
Common Controls
Standard Fusion Transform node common controls (Motion Blur, Quality, etc.) are available under the Common tab.
Usage Guide & Workflow
- Add the Segments tool and connect an image. Start with Interactivity On.
- Adjust Basic Controls to define the fundamental path. Most of these can be keyframed for dynamic changes.
- Optionally add Waves for more complex paths. All wave parameters, including alignment, can be keyframed.
- For Polygonal Spirals:
- Set initial
VelocityandTurn Frequencyvalues at the frame designated bySpiral Start Frame. - Configure Polygon Spiral Creator parameters.
- Click Create Spiral. This generates keyframes.
- If not satisfied, click Clear Spiral Keys, adjust parameters, and Create Spiral again.
- Manage animation outside the spiral range by setting additional keyframes as described in Understanding the Polygon Spiral Creator.
- Set initial
- Once the base path/spiral is defined:
- You can further tweak parameters (e.g., Waves, Rotation) to enhance the animation.
- Click Save Segments Data.
- Set your composition's Working Range (render in/out) to cover the frames you want included in the polygon, then click Create Polygon.
- Click Export Segments Data for external use.
- If performance is an issue during complex design, switch Interactivity to Show Saved mode after saving data.
Examples & Tips
- Simple Repeating Shapes: Use a low
Turn Frequencyand aTurn Anglethat forms a closed polygon. - Keyframing for Dynamics: Keyframing parameters like
Velocity,Turn Frequency,Turn Angle,Heading Offset, or wave controls can lead to very organic and evolving patterns. - Polygon Working Range: When using the Create Polygon button, only the path segments within the current timeline Working Range (render in/out points) will be included in the generated polygon. This is useful for isolating specific parts of a complex path.
- Resource Management: For very long or complex animations, use Show Saved mode after saving data to improve interactivity.