Pixel Processor

In: Atomic Nodes

Complex

Since SD5.0+

Description

The Pixel Processor allows you to execute a custom function for every pixel that is returned as output, on an optional input. It is by far the most versatile node in Substance Designer, as it allows any mathematical operation to be run and return results inside your graph.
Similar to FX-Map, it requires the user to set up the internal functionality themselves. Where the Pixel Processor differs from FX-Map is that it is not focused on placing patterns, with multiple functions controlling pattern shape and placement. Instead, a single function is run in parallell for every pixel, where each pixel is unaware of the calculation results of other pixels. The Pixel Processor is similar to the Value Processor, which runs on only single values and can provide a nice optimization compared to the Pixel Processor.

For users familar with creating Shader functions in Node-based editors, the Pixel Processor should be a familiar environment.

The Pixel Processor is a complex node, it is recommended that you are very familiar with all aspects of Substance Designer, and have no problems creating mathematical functions for parameters, before you attempt to use it.

Parameters

Color Mode: Color/Grayscale
Sets what sort of output value is returned
Per Pixel Function:
Allows you to access the internal function editor.

Usage Guide

Click here to read how to use this node...

This section is not a full usage guide, rather it explains a few specifics for the Pixel Processor node. It's recommended to read about creating funtions first, before continuing in this section.
Hit Ctrl+E with the Node selected, or Press the Edit button on the node to access the internal function.

Setting outputs

Output type needs to match that set in the Node's Color Mode Parameter:

Color: output must be a Float4
Grayscale: output must be a Float(1)

Changing Color Mode while an output is already defined, the node will convert the output to the selected format, but you are losing some performance or calculating too little information.

If the output returns pure black, there is probably an error in the calculations somewhere returning incorrect values.

Using Inputs

Using Inputs in a Pixel processor requires some specific setup unique to the Pixel Processor. It is the main area where the Pixel Processor stands apart from the FX-Map It is very similar to setting up a texture sampler in a Shader editor.

Essentially you specify what input to sample, by using a Sample Gray or Sample Color Node, and then connect a "UV"/position coordinate of the Float2 type to that Sample Node's input.

The above setup samples the input0 slot as a color input, and uses the internal $pos value as the coordinates. $pos matches the X and Y index of the current pixel being calculated, essentially serving as UV-coordinates.

The Position used for a Smaple node does not have to be the $pos value, youn can use any function you want as input, even other sampled maps, or complicated transformated coordinates.

Conversely, you can use the $pos value to drive other effects than sampling an input, such as using it to interpolate between different values across the image: creating your own gradients for example.