Overview
Use the Layer Lab to quickly create a variety of sophisticated composite textures by layering one texture on top of another. The Layer Lab can also be used to create weave textures.
Like many Lab Nodes, Layer Lab will maintain the transparency of its inputs. In the following example a Layer Lab was used on an existing logo, which was brought into Genetica using an Imported Image node, to make it look like it was printed on a cracked and peeling sticker. A Solid Color node set to full transparency was placed in the Layer Lab's second input to ensure that the final result had a transparent background, allowing it to be easily composited in other applications.
Please note that to maintain transparency when exporting a rendered image, a format that supports transparency, such as PNG, must be used.
Inputs
Input |
Description |
First Material |
The first of two materials to be layered on top of each other. |
Second Material |
The second of two materials to be layered on top of each other. |
Noise |
Most layer types will have the option of using your own custom noise by selecting "Use Input" as the noise type. If you do that, this input provides the noise that will be used. |
Properties
The properties for this Lab Node all fall into one main section, as illustrated by the following image.
As the above image shows, while the first few properties of the Layer Lab will always be present, the majority of its properties will change depending on the selected layer type.
Here are the properties that will always be present:
Property |
Description |
Scale |
The Layer Lab's global scale property. Increasing this value will cause all of the Layer Lab's features to shrink, as if you're moving away from the image. |
Seed |
Changing this value will re-randomize all aspects of what the Layer Lab does. |
Top Material |
The Layer Lab operates by layering one of its input materials on top of another one. Selecting "First" will cause the material in the First Material input to be on top, while selecting "Second" will cause the Second Material input to be on top. |
"Select Type..." button |
Click the button to display a pop up menu from which the desired layer type can be selected. Read further down for descriptions of the available types. |
Here are the layer types that are available for activation by clicking the "Select Type..." button, as mentioned above. Follow the links to learn about the properties each layer type will make available.
Layer Type |
Description |
The top material has pieces of glass inserted into it, through which the bottom material can be seen. |
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A vent or grate is fashioned out of the top material, through which the bottom material can be seen. |
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The top material is made to look like a layer of grime that is on top of the bottom material. |
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The image of the top material is burned into the bottom material in various ways. |
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The top material is made to look like a layer of old or imperfectly applied paint that reveals the bottom material at various spots. |
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The top material is made into a thin substance that is peeling off of the bottom material. |
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The top material is broken into pieces that rest on top of the bottom material. |
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The top material is rusted away, revealing the bottom material at various spots. |
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The top material is cut into strips that are then woven together. The bottom material shows through the gaps in the weave. |
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The top material forms a thick, possibly fleshy substance that is cut away to reveal the bottom material. |