AB Compare Mask


Where to find it: (This Node is available in the Nodegraph only)


NodeGraph / Right Mouse Click / Add Nodes / Layer / Extension Pack /


Shortcut (Nodegraph Only): CTRL++ALT+M

    


Node Overview

Node Ports

Node Properties


The AB Compare Mask Node is similar to a Height Blend Node however its computation is simplified to strictly comparing values with each other (larger, smaller, equal) without doing any more of the advanced interpolation a Height BlendNode does. This makes the node more predictable, light weight and easier to use.


See also the "Smart Compare Mask" option in the Nodegraph to speed up creation of Compare Mask Setups


Two Materials blended together using a Compare Mask Node



Quick Setup


You can create the setup with two (material or regular) nodes selected and by pressing CTRL+ALT+M

Alternatively you can select two (material or regular) nodes and choose the "Compare Mask" Option from the Node Creation Hotbox (Hotkey C)

Finally you can also access it via new Node Context Menus, by selecting a Multi Channel Merge Node and pressing CTRL+SPACE


Example of an automatic compare Mask setup where the Displacement of materials is fed into the A+B ports of the AB Compare Mask Node


Node Overview 


Node Ports

•A

The first input to compare values for


•B

The second input to compare values for


•Hardness

Can be mapped to determine how soft or hard the transitions in the Output Mask are. Overwrites the Hardness Slider in the Node Properties if mapped



•Mask

Outputs a Blend Mask of the comparison of the Input Value A and B


Node Properties


•Mode

Set which Input Port (A or B) to evaluate first and second


•Compare Method

Available options to compare values are


ovalue is smaller

ovalue is larger

ovalue is equal within a tolerance (activates "Equal Tolerance" slider)


•Hardness

Determines how soft the mask transitions are


•Equal Tolerance

If Compare Method is set to "Equal with tolerance" this slider determines the value gate (higher or lower) that is still accepted as being equal to each other


•Invert

Inverts the result of the Mask