Variable Line Width in TouchDesigner Simon Alexander-Adams 2020-03-18 | This beginner level TouchDesigner tutorial looks at how to create variable line width using the Line Material.If you have questions, comments, suggestions or corrections please leave them below, and thanks for watching!TouchDesigner build used: 2020:20020Download an example .toe file here:github.com/Simonalexanderadams/TD-Tutorials/tree/master/2020-03-17_Variable_Line_WidthTopic Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro02:02 - Grid setup and render network06:40 - SOP to CHOP and CHOP to SOP08:25- Noise Displacement13:43 - Varying Line Width16:50 - Creating the Shape Mask19:55 - Adding Color23:30 - Animating Noise
POPs Experimental: Extrude POP in TouchDesigner Simon Alexander-Adams 2025-09-15 | This TouchDesigner tutorial looks at the extrude POP and how to drive its distance attribute using 2D textures and the Noise POP. It also touches on PBR and HDRI lighting workflows.The project file can be found on my Patreon: patreon.com/posts/pops-extrude-pop-1389142283D Model Used in the tutorial: skfb.ly/6TXNwSketchfab CC0 Collection: skfb.ly/owWSI HDRI used in the tutorial: polyhaven.com/a/kiara_1_dawnThis tutorial uses build 2025.30770 but fair warning that things will likely change between now and the official release! My hope is that the methodology can easily be recreated in the official release, but there may be differences if you’re watching in the far future.TouchDesigner Experimental Downloads: derivative.ca/download/experimentalVideo Navigation / Topics:00:00 - Intro01:09 - Sourcing a 3D Model02:29 - Reducing Complexity with the Polyreduce SOP09:23 - Timeline Loop Setup13:38 - Render Setup16:31 - PBR and HDRI Workflow20:11 - Linear vs Gamma21:56 - SSAO23:03 - Background Color24:11 - Extrude POP27:22 - Controlling Extrude Distance with a 2D Texture34:03 - Masking the Statue Base36:28 - Controlling Extrude Distance with the Noise POP40:30 - Blending Different Distance Attribute Sources41:05 - Exposing Parameters42:32 - Taking it Further
POPs Experimental: Video Motion Trails Simon Alexander-Adams 2025-07-21 | This TouchDesigner tutorial looks at driving particle trails from the motion of video inputs. It primarily focuses on the Particle POP and Trail POP.The project file can be found on my Patreon: patreon.com/posts/134580841The video used in this project (including the fireworks video) , courtesy of Tom Fisk: pexels.com/video/aerial-view-of-a-busy-freeway-1472014 This tutorial uses build 2025.30280, but fair warning that things will likely change between now and the official release! My hope is that the methodology can easily be recreated in the official release, but there may be differences if you’re watching in the far future.TouchDesigner Experimental Downloads: derivative.ca/download/experimentalCheck out these Function Store tutorials for more on the Particle POP:youtube.com/watch?v=4cVft6F0uLcyoutube.com/watch?v=G50tF5Ls9YgVideo Navigation / Topics:00:00 - Intro01:12 - Particle POP Setup05:50 - Trail POP09:01 - Render Network11:34 - Adjust Noise POP Parameters12:48 - Adjust Particle POP Parameters14:09 - LineWidth Attribute19:47 - Video Input and Optical Flow27:13 - Particle POP Input29:54 - Color Attribute30:24 - Add Velocity36:38 - Key Parameters to Adjust38:44 - Live Video Input41:04 - Function Store Shoutout
POPs Experimental: Line MAT Trails in TouchDesigner Simon Alexander-Adams 2025-06-16 | This TouchDesigner tutorial looks at adding color and line width to trails created using the Trail POP in conjunction with the Line MAT.The project file can be found on my Patreon: patreon.com/posts/131555868The 3D tubes technique that branches from this Tutorial can be found here: patreon.com/posts/131556138This tutorial uses build 2025.30060, but fair warning that things will likely change between now and the official release! My hope is that the methodology can easily be recreated in the official release, but there may be differences if you’re watching in the far future.TouchDesigner Experimental Downloads: derivative.ca/download/experimentalLooping Noise Tutorial mentioned in the video: youtube.com/watch?v=TGYO1WcT5ysVideo Navigation / Topics:00:00 - Intro01:31 - Initial Points02:15 - Timeline Loop Setup04:27 - Transform and Trail POPs05:09 - Render Setup07:38 - SSAO and Bloom09:15 - Animating Position with Noise12:21 - Color14:34 - Line Width21:14 - Expanding the Color Texture Lookup25:28 - Parting Thoughts
POPs Experimental: Shape Morphs in TouchDesigner Simon Alexander-Adams 2025-06-09 | This TouchDesigner tutorial looks at using POPs to dynamically blend between spheres and boxes copied on a grid. It is part of a special edition series covering the new POPs operator family in TouchDesigner while we are still in the experimental build. The project file can be found for free on my Patreon: patreon.com/posts/pops-shape-in-131029376This tutorial uses build 2025.30060, but fair warning that things will likely change between now and the official release! My hope is that the methodology can easily be recreated in the official release, but there may be differences if you’re watching in the far future.TouchDesigner Experimental Downloads: derivative.ca/download/experimentalRelease Notes: derivative.ca/release/experimental-202530060/72143Video Navigation / Topics:00:00 - Intro01:39 - Create a Grid of Spheres03:36 - Render Network Setup05:13 - Create Grid of Boxes08:15 - Mix Attribute via Texture Lookup POP11:26 - Examine Attributes with POP to DAT12:55 - The Pop Viewer Palette Component14:17 - Blending with MathMix POP16:04 - Blending with MathCombine POP18:44 - Rotating Copied Geometry via Template Attributes22:01 - Parting Thoughts
Bézier Curves in TouchDesigner Simon Alexander-Adams 2025-03-24 | This video looks at creating Bézier curves in TouchDesigner. In it I step through an example file instead of my typical click-along style. It covers the process in SOPs and TOPs via GLSL.The project file for this tutorial is available on my Patreon patreon.com/Polyhop There you gain access to additional project files, help guide future topics and support the creation of new tutorials.Project File: patreon.com/posts/bezier-curves-125020487In this video I'm using TouchDesigner Version 2023.12230. If you're using an older or newer version there may be features that don't work in exactly the same way.Resources mentioned in the video:Javascript Bézier Curve Primer: javascript.info/bezier-curve Write a GLSL TOP Derivative Page: docs.derivative.ca/Write_a_GLSL_TOPAtagen Tube Trails Tutorial: youtube.com/watch?v=ykpkqmoxRyoVideo Navigation / Topics:00:00 - Intro01:02 - Bézier Curve Use in My Installation Work02:10 - Bézier Curve Basics04:57 - Creating a Single Bézier Curve in SOPs07:52 - Control Point Generation17:19 - Multiple Bézier Curves in SOPs28:07 - Bézier Curves in TOPs38:32 - Tube Deformer Vertex Shader45:33 - Parting Thoughts
Quantized Reaction Diffusion in TouchDesigner & T3D Simon Alexander-Adams 2025-02-04 | This tutorial uses TouchDesigner and T3D to create "quantized reaction diffusion.” This is my concise way of saying: a bounding volume of quantized noise, which guides the growth of 3D reaction diffusion into boxlike structures. T3D is a collection of operators in TouchDesigner that allows you to work with 3D Textures. T3D 1.8 can be found on Josef Pelz’ Patreon. patreon.com/JosefPelzThe project file for this tutorial is available on my Patreon patreon.com/Polyhop There you gain access to additional project files, help guide future topics and support the creation of new tutorials. Note that the project file contains only the T3D components necessary for the tutorial but the tool has been removedProject File: patreon.com/posts/quantized-t3d-121521566In this video I'm using TouchDesigner Version 2023.12120. If you're using an older or newer version there may be features that don't work in exactly the same way. Note: if you're using a non-commercial licenses the maximum cubic 3D texture resolution is 117x117x117.Video Navigation / Topics:00:00 - Intro01:16 - 3D Noise Bounding Volume07:59 - Render Network08:56 - Environment Light13:00 - SSAO and Bloom15:00 - Smoothing Discontinuities17:13 - Quick Reaction Diffusion in 2D20:35 - Reaction Diffusion in 3D24:38 - Grid Elements28:16 - Taking it Further
Bullet Solver and TDAbleton in TouchDesigner Simon Alexander-Adams 2024-12-19 | This tutorial uses the Bullet Solver and TDAbleton to create a mouse based interactive in TouchDesigner. We’ll touch on the Bullet Dynamics operators, render picking, adding visual effects, and finally triggering audio in both TouchDesigner and Ableton Live. The project is based on the “multiTouch” example found in the palette, which is examined in the first part of the video.The project example file is available on my Patreon patreon.com/PolyhopThere you gain access to additional project files, help guide future topics and support the creation of new tutorials.In this video I'm using TouchDesigner Version 2023.12000. If you're using an older or newer version there may be features that don't work in exactly the same way. I’m also using Ableton Live 12 Suite. This process should work with older versions of Live, though the project file is not backwards compatible.Project Filespatreon.com/posts/bullet-solver-118300014 TDAbleton Setupdocs.derivative.ca/TDAbleton#Getting_StartedTDAbleton System Componentsdocs.derivative.ca/index.php?title=TDAbleton_System_ComponentsNDI Audio Direct Plugin:ndi.video/tools/audio-directVideo Navigation / Topics:00:00 - Intro00:47 - Understanding the "multiTouch" Palette Example03:47 - Bullet Solver07:50 - Internal Parameters (ipars)09:03 - Cleaning up the multiTouch Example13:08 - Rendering Picking17:20 - Render Pick Callbacks18:45 - Bullet Solver Feedback24:07 - Adding Keyboard Shortcuts26:49 - Modifying the multiTouch Component32:48 - Custom Cursor44:31 - Feedback Displacement Effect50:09 - Flashes on Collision1:06:13 - Triggering Audio in TouchDesigner1:20:29 - TDAbleton Setup1:24:12 - Triggering MIDI with TDAbleton
Fixed Width Outlines - TouchDesigner 10 Simon Alexander-Adams 2024-10-03 | Part of my TouchDesigner 10 series, where I cover topics or projects that can be covered in 10 minutes or less.This video looks at how to create consistently spaced outlines using any black and white shape as an input. This can be used in combination with interactive inputs, like a webcam, or generative visuals created directly inside TouchDesigner. It makes use of David Braun's "Jump Flood Algorithm" tool which can be found on his github: github.com/DBraun/TouchDesigner_Shared/blob/master/TOPs/jump_flood_algorithm.toxFor more on jump flooding and distance maps check out my longer tutorial on distance map displacement: youtube.com/watch?v=KjECO22GlDgPlease note this tutorial uses TouchDesigner Version 2023.11880. If you're using an older or newer version there may be features that don't work in exactly the same way.Consider supporting me on Patreon! patreon.com/PolyhopThere you can gain access to project files, help guide future topics and support the creation of new tutorials.Video Navigation / Topics:00:00 - Intro01:04 - Displaced Circle Input02:08 - Jump Flooding Algorithm Tox03:26 - Lookup and Ramp TOPs04:46 - Alternate Colors for the Shape Interior06:23 - Silhouette Using Nvidia Background TOP07:45 - Smoothing the Motion09:23 - Parting Thoughts
Animating Noise - TouchDesigner 10 Simon Alexander-Adams 2024-08-27 | Part of my TouchDesigner 10 series, where I cover topics or projects that can be covered in 10 minutes or less.This video covers a few aspects of animating noise in TouchDesigner in the context of instancing. This includes quantization, shuffling the seed, smoothing discontinuous motion, and looping the animation to the timeline.Please note this tutorial uses TouchDesigner Version 2023.11880. If you're using an older or newer version there may be features that don't work in exactly the same way.Consider supporting me on Patreon! patreon.com/PolyhopThere you can gain access to project files, help guide future topics and support the creation of new tutorials.Video Navigation / Topics:00:00 - Intro00:46 - Instancing Setup01:50 - Render Setup03:34 - Quantization03:52 - Adding Color05:26 - Noise Animation08:21 - Shuffling the Seed09:24 - Exporting a Perfect Loop
Sketchy Toon Shader in TouchDesigner Simon Alexander-Adams 2024-07-29 | This tutorial looks at porting a sketchy toon shader into TouchDesigner from Jaume Sanchez’s Digital Inktober 2020. spite.github.io/sketch Beyond discussing the process of going from Three.js and WebGL to TouchDesigner, I'll touch on convolution and sobel filters. I'll also preview a polished version of the shader which is available in the example file. Lastly I'll show how to make a bonus “cube of cubes” scene that works nicely with the effect.The example file for this tutorial is available on my Patreon patreon.com/PolyhopThere you can access to exclusive project files and tools, help guide future topics and support the creation of new work.In this video I'm using TouchDesigner version 2023.11880. If you're using an older or newer version there may be features that don't work in exactly the same way.Video Navigation / Topics:00:00 - Intro00:57 - Toon Shaders02:27 - Jaume Sanchez's Digital Inktober 202004:47 - Download Code05:45 - First Look09:06 - Render Setup12:34 - Edge Detection and Convolution21:07 - Porting WebGL to TouchDesigner25:26 - Uniforms27:44 - Adding Texture Inputs30:10 - Update Texture Sampling32:58 - Shader Adjustments37:19 - Example File Preview39:26 - Exploring Other Inputs41:47 - Bonus: Cube of Cubes
Easing in TouchDesigner Simon Alexander-Adams 2024-07-13 | This video looks at easing in TouchDesigner. Specifically, what it is, why it is useful and how to use it in your projects. We will look at the core basics, followed by a walkthrough of an example project. Lastly I’ll demo a tool called TDEase I’ve created that makes it a bit faster to play with different easing curves.The tool and the project example are both available on my Patreon patreon.com/PolyhopThere you gain access to additional project files, help guide future topics and support the creation of new tutorials. In this video I'm using TouchDesigner Version 2023.11760. If you're using an older or newer version there may be features that don't work in exactly the same way.TDEase Toolpatreon.com/posts/tdease-tool-108034567Project Filepatreon.com/posts/easing-in-file-108034446Easings.neteasings.netEase-in or Ease-out?medium.com/@gordonnl/ease-in-or-ease-out-ed9a0969042eInigo Quilez - Useful Little Functions:iquilezles.org/articles/functionsVideo Navigation / Topics:00:00 - Introduction00:48 - About Easing02:12 - Ease-In or Ease-Out?03:55 - Easing in TouchDesigner04:52 - Easing Basics11:21 - Example File Breakdown13:08 - Looping Logic15:15 - Animation Staggering18:08 - Padding18:47 - Easing Functions20:15 - Switching Between Curves21:51 - Matte TOP22:26 - Animation COMP as Easing Curves23:39 - TDEase Tool
Distance Map Displacement in TouchDesigner Simon Alexander-Adams 2024-05-18 | This TouchDesigner tutorial covers creating a displacement effect using distance maps, specifically focusing on the jump flooding algorithm. It also looks at generating a simple plexus style pattern for use with the effect.Please note this tutorial uses TouchDesigner Version 2023.11600. If you're using an older or newer version there may be features that don't work in exactly the same way.Consider supporting me on Patreon! patreon.com/PolyhopThere you can gain access to project files, help guide future topics and support the creation of new tutorials.David Braun's Jump Flooding Algorithm Tox:github.com/DBraun/TouchDesigner_Shared/blob/master/TOPs/jump_flood_algorithm.toxPaketa12 Plexus Tutorial:youtube.com/watch?v=0A01XKt_3rMTime-lapse traffic video by Timo Volz:pixabay.com/videos/traffic-city-cityscape-urban-night-88921Video Navigation / Topics:0:00 - Intro00:43 - Topic Overview01:11 - Jump Flooding Algorithm05:54 - Displacement Effect19:33 - Plexus Style Input39:33 - Taking it Further
Instancing with TOPs in TouchDesigner Simon Alexander-Adams 2024-04-06 | This TouchDesigner tutorial covers instancing with TOPs through the creation of a "particle donut." It's at a beginner to intermediate level, with a more advanced section at the end touching on GLSL.Consider supporting me on Patreon! patreon.com/PolyhopThere you can gain access to project files, help guide future topics and support the creation of new tutorials.Please note this tutorial uses TouchDesigner Version 2023.11600. If you're using an older or newer version there may be features that don't work in exactly the same way.Additional GLSL resources mentioned in the video:thebookofshaders.comdocs.derivative.ca/Write_a_GLSL_TOPVideo Navigation / Topics:0:00 - Intro02:35 - Instancing Operator Families10:29 - Instancing Setup17:51 - Noise Coordinate Map25:11 - Instance Rotation27:32 - Looping to the Timeline31:28 - Camera Motion35:28 - Lighting40:00 - SSAO42:45 - Bloom46:36 - 2D Attractor Reference49:53 - Attractor Path52:21 - Attractor using Math in TOPs1:05:14 - Scaling Instances by Attractor1:07:34 - Rotating Instances to Attractor1:12:09 - Attractor using GLSL1:26:07 - Project File Overview
ASCII Effect in TouchDesigner Simon Alexander-Adams 2024-02-26 | This is a tutorial for creating an ASCII effect in TouchDesigner. It is a beginner to intermediate level tutorial, though I do expect you have some familiarity with how to navigate the TouchDesigner interface.Consider supporting me on Patreon! patreon.com/PolyhopThere you can gain access to project files, help guide future topics and support the creation of new tutorials. Project files: patreon.com/posts/ascii-effect-99207535Please note: it uses TouchDesigner Version 2023.11340. If you're using an older or newer version there may be features that don't work in exactly the same way.This tutorial touches on the following topics:- Texturing Instancing- Lookup Tables- Replicator Networks- Orthographic Rendering- UV RemappingVideo Navigation:00:00 - Intro00:58 - What is ASCII02:43 - Finished Product Preview04:21 - File Setup05:55 - Instancing Network14:32 - Rendering Network16:39 - Orthographic Camera17:56 - Generate ASCII Textures26:53 - Texture Instancing34:29 - Sorting ASCII Characters43:58 - Adding Black Background46:44 - Conclusion
Looping Noise Part 2: Infinite Tunnel Zoom (TouchDesigner Tutorial) Simon Alexander-Adams 2019-11-25 | This beginner level TouchDesigner tutorial uses 1D looping noise for the purpose of creating infinite tunnel zooms that start and stop in the same spot (okay, technically not infinite, but it does feel like it goes on forever!) We will also look at a technique for getting smooth camera motion and more generally explore methods for manipulating instanced geometry.For more info see the corresponding write up:https://www.simonaa.media/tutorials/looping-noise-part-2-infinite-tunnel-zoomFor info on how to export your final video as a looping GIF or video see the previous tutorial in this series:https://www.simonaa.media/tutorials/looping-noise-part-1If you have questions, comments, suggestions or corrections please leave them below, and thanks for watching! TouchDesigner Build: 2019.14650 or later. Topic Timestamps:00:00 - Intro02:04 - 1D looping noise06:32 - Building the render network08:08 - Initial instance setup09:11 - Orienting geometry to a path13:17 - Geometry viewer setup14:05 - Camera motion (and geometry density)20:16 - Smooth camera motion27:55 - Line MAT29:27 - Scale and color34:00 - Taking it further
Looping Noise Part 1: Ending at the Beginning (TouchDesigner Tutorial) Simon Alexander-Adams 2019-11-24 | This beginner level TouchDesigner tutorial explores a method for looping noise for the purpose of creating looping animations. In it we will recreate a Processing sketch by Étienne Jacob, which is featured in his blog post Drawing from noise, and then making animated loopy GIFs from there. The article has lots of great examples of working with noise, and was how I first encountered the looping technique myself. See the corresponding write up for more information:https://www.simonaa.media/tutorials/looping-noise-part-1If you have questions, comments, suggestions or corrections please leave them below, and thanks for watching and reading!Note: If you’re exporting a movie file or GIF, there’s one step I missed mentioning in the last section of the video. After stopping at the end of the timeline pause playback and click ‘+’ to move to the first frame. Then press record followed by play to start playback. This will prevent doubling the last frame in your loop.TouchDesigner Build: 2019.14650 or later.Topic Timestamps:00:00 - Intro02:01 - Building the Render Network03:50 - Instancing a Grid05:29 - Displacement with Pattern CHOP and Noise TOP09:38 - Shaping Noise Amplitude11:30 - Cropping to a Circle12:50 - Feedback Motion Blur15:30 - Looping Noise (Concept)18:15 - Looping Noise (Application)22:32 - Exporting as a GIF
Noise Displacement in TouchDesigner Simon Alexander-Adams 2019-07-26 | This beginner level TouchDesigner tutorial covers using the Noise TOP to generate vertex displacement effects within the Phong MAT. It also touches on how to create a render network from scratch, recoloring with the Lookup TOP, and adding post-render shading with the SSAO TOP. In the article linked to below I discuss these topics in more depth. If you have questions, comments, suggestions or corrections please leave them below, and thanks for watching and reading!https://www.simonaa.media/tutorials/noisedisplacementTopic Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:31 Setting up the render network06:12 Normal, color and height maps with noise13:12 Coloring with the Lookup TOP15:09 Adding motion to noise16:33 Exploring noise parameters17:50 Noise coordinate map input22:55 Adding detail with the normal map25:30 Changing camera angles26:50 Changing geometry input28:50 Screen Space Ambient Occlusion TOP
Instancing Geometry in TouchDesigner Simon Alexander-Adams 2019-07-26 | This beginner level TouchDesigner tutorial covers instancing with the Geometry COMP, a technique that lets you copy one piece of geometry many times in an efficient way. To accomplish this we go through various methods for generating and manipulating CHOP data to represent position, rotation and color values. Instancing is a flexible tool that is useful in a variety of applications. This tutorial provides a starter network that can be used for further explorations. If you have questions, comments, suggestions or corrections please leave them below, and thanks for watching and reading! Topic Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:43 Building the “capsule” geometry06:15 Setting up the render network and SSAO09:01 Generating a grid of instances12:33 Noise TOP to CHOP conversion16:09 Adding rotation and translation with noise20:27 Refining noise and adding motion21:06 Coloring with the Lookup CHOP24:50 Variations for exploration
