2017

Displacement Mapping
Use displacement mapping to create a 3D model from a 2D surface. The values of a selected colour channel
in the displacement source clip are used to create a displacement map. Displacement mapping uses the
media’s matte clip, so you can turn the matte on or off to get the desired effect.
You have the choice of applying hardware or software displacement mapping. Hardware displacement
mapping is GPU-accelerated and allows you to create a normal map if none exists. Software displacement
mapping displaces the pixels of the surface along the positive or negative X, Y, and/or Z axes. Hardware
Displacement is faster than software displacement, especially when using low resolution values in an image
surface (high polygon count).
NOTE If the Displace node is attached to an imported 3D Geometry, you may need to select a UV Mapping mode
other than Default in the Geometry menu for the displace pattern to have an effect on the geometry. See
UV
Map Settings
(page 568).
To add a displacement map:
1 In the schematic, select the surface or 3D geometry to which you want to apply the displacement.
2 Click Media.
3 In the Media menu, select the media you want to use for the displacement.
4 Do one of the following:
■ Drag the Displace Map node from the node bin and place it in the schematic.
■ Drag the Displace Map node from the node bin and place it where you want it in Result view.
■ Double-click the Displace Map node. You do not need to be in Schematic view to add a node in
this manner.
The displace object is added to the schematic with its own parent axis. The new axis is the child of the
selected surface or geometry. In Schematic view, the number in brackets next to the name of the
displace node indicates the media used for the displacement.
602 | Chapter 15 Compositing in 3D Space with Action