General Module Function
The texture_wave module utilizes transparency and texture mapping similar to texture_colors and illuminated_lines technology to create an animated effect. However, unlike illuminated_lines, this module works with both OpenGL and Software Rendering.
Module Input Ports
texture_wave has a single input port that accepts the grid with nodal data that you want to color with this technique. This would normally be tubes or streamribbons.
Module Output Ports
texture_wave has only one output port that can be connected to the Viewer.
Module Control Panel
The control panel for texture_wave is shown in the figure above.
The Run toggle enables the animation loop to run.
The Step toggle will make one increment of the loop as specified int the Increment type-in.
Reset, when toggled, resets the animation.
The Run Backwards, Step Backwards and Reset Back are self explanatory.
The Cycle Options allow for Once (one iteration), Cycle (keep running from beginning), and Bounce (run to end, then backwards, then forwards, etc.)
The Phase is the parameter that changes during the animation loop.
Number of Steps: determines the number of steps in the animation.
Texture Resolution is the internal resolution of the image used for texture-coloring.
Min Amplitude is the minimum opacity of the objects.
Max Amplitude is the maximum opacity of the objects.
Contrast affects the contrast (similar to color saturation).
In the image below, we used streamlines which are passed to tubes, which are then connected to texture_wave. The transparency, colors, and animation effects on the tubes is all performed by texture_wave.
The Viewer window is shown below.
