1 MINUTE VEX VIII

Sampling Nearest Texture With UDIM Filename Expansion

In UV space, UDIMs are a great way to represent texture maps in positions that do not adhere to the standard 0-1 range a single map might occupy. However, converting UV coordinates to a UDIM position can be a little bit tricky, so here we explore some functions that make image path processing a little bit easier.

For more information on OCIO and ACES, refer back to 1 Minute Vex VII, where these concepts are explored in further depth.

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In this example, we explore a method for sampling the nearest texture to a point, in higher detail than exists on the target surface. For this to work, we first need to begin by assigning the texture path as a string attribute on the target as a primitive attribute.

Then, with our points we intend to sample with, we create a point wrangle and the initial export variables to be used in conjunction with xyzdist. Xyzdist primarily returns the distance to the nearest surface point on a target, but also allows us to export the nearest primitive number and parametric uv position.

We then use our nearest prim number to read our image path string. In order for UDIM filename expansion to work, we first need to check that it is actually possible - using has_udim in an if statement. If this is returned true, we use expand_udim to check the nearest uv position against the required UDIM number. This will subsequently overwrite the special character sequence with the absolute path.

Now we have our checked image path, we can use colormap to sample our texture against the nearest uv position; Then finally correcting its colourspace with ocio_transform.