Root Nodes

Poser includes the following nodes, which, combined and linked to root nodes, can create virtually any shader you can imagine. Nodes are divided into several groups: Math, Lighting, Variables, 3D Textures, and 2D Textures. Each group and its shaders are discussed in this chapter.

All shaders include a root node, which can be modified using added nodes that modify the root node. Thus, the root node is itself a complete shader. The Material room has four root nodes: Material, Background, Light, and Atmosphere. Let’s examine these nodes further.

Poser provides three different types of material root nodes that work with the FireFly and SuperFly renderers. By default, each material initially uses a PoserSurface node for a new material, in order to maintain backward compatibility to legacy content. The PoserSurface node is initially designated to be sent to both the FireFly and SuperFly renderers.

The PoserSurface node is initially sent to both the FireFly and SuperFly renderers.

When you use the New Node > Root > PhysicalSurface or CyclesSurface command to add a second material root node, you will be able to designate which of the two material root nodes is sent to which renderer. Though each of the three material root nodes can work with either renderer, the most common choice will be to have the PoserSurface node sent to the FireFly renderer, and the PhysicalSurface or CyclesSurface sent to the SuperFly renderer.

When you add a second material root node you can direct each material root node to either the FireFly or SuperFly renderer.