Corona Multiple Output Maps - Playground

[Avi]

Hi Everyone,

In Corona 10 Daily Build, we have added support for multiple output maps. (Only available in the Slate Material Editor)

What is it?
The Multiple Output Maps feature allows you to have additional input and output slots within a single Corona Color Correct or Corona Triplanar map. This is super helpful in having greater control over multiple textures using a single node.

Note: Multiple Output Maps feature support for “Mapping Randomizer” is coming soon.

How to use:

1. Open the Slate Material Editor in 3ds Max using the latest Corona 10 Daily Build : Download Corona 10 Daily Build.
2. Create either a Corona Color Correct map or a Corona Triplanar map node.
3. In the map properties, you'll find a new option called "Additional Outputs" at the bottom.
4. The default value is 0. Increase the value to specify the number of additional output slots you want for the map. The more slots you have, the more input textures you can plug in and utilize.

Why it's awesome:

1. This expanded functionality is helpful for better organization of multiple maps into a node.
2. We can quickly iterate multiple textures at once using this feature. For example: Instead of making repeated same actions on multiple nodes to affect textures, we now are able to do those repeated actions using just 1 node which makes the overall process more efficient and artist friendly.

Please find attached some examples in this thread.

[romullus]

I never felt the need for this feature in color correct node, but in triplanar and mapping randomizer it's super awesome! Thank you!

By the way, does that mean that "use settings from" in color correct node is redundant now? If so, could se get rid of it, because i hate how it adds unnecessary step when trying to plug CCC node by dragging its handle over existing connection wire.

[Kelevra]

Nice feature!

I never felt the need for this feature in color correct node, but in triplanar and mapping randomizer it's super awesome! Thank you!

I found lot of use cases - f.ex if a tree have multiple leaves bitmaps or if you need to change floor + floor skirting all at once

[Avi]

I never felt the need for this feature in color correct node, but in triplanar and mapping randomizer it's super awesome! Thank you!

By the way, does that mean that "use settings from" in color correct node is redundant now? If so, could se get rid of it, because i hate how it adds unnecessary step when trying to plug CCC node by dragging its handle over existing connection wire.

Yes, we plan to deprecate "use settings from" in Color Correct Node in the upcoming version but we will keep supporting it in legacy scenes.

[marchik]

Guys, if we already got such a handy tool to simplify setting up material trees, maybe you will have time to add a separate node before the release, something like "CTiling" or "CUVTransform"where we can change the tiling and offsets of several maps in the same manner.

I understand that there is a UVWXform modifier and controllers for that. But with these new nodes and the new material editor in 2024, I want to spend more time in it and set up everything in one place. I understand that there is no urgent need for this, but I think it will be useful to a lot of people and save a lot of time.

[romullus]

@marchik, we already have such map - MappingRandomizer. You just need to enter the same values in From and To fields and you will have perfect UV transform map. And since multiple inputs is promised for MappingRandomizer, i think that covers your request 100%

[hurrycat]

I recently updated to the combo 3ds Max 2024 + Corona 11 (from Corona 9) and I am glad this feature has been implemented.

In day-to-day use I have experienced 2 behaviours that I believe can be improved (maybe they are bugs). I am not sure if this falls onto the Corona side or the 3ds max side, but here it goes:

1. Say I have connected a Corona Bitmap to a CoronaColorCorrect node and that to the Base color slot of a material. If I add an output to the ColorCorrect node, the 1st one disconnects (it should stay connected).

2. Connect a Corona bitmap into the Base Color slot of a material. Create a ColorCorrect node (dont connect it to anything yet) and give it 1 additional output. Drag a wire from its output to the wire connecting the bitmap to the material. It should get in between the bitmap and the material, keeping the connection, but it doesn't.

[romullus]

AFAIK both issues are related to the updated slate editor in Max 2024. Devs are well aware about them and i believe they are working on the solutions.

[hurrycat]

I realized someone would have pointed them out by now! Thank you.