🎬 Blending Filters & Linking Masks
When using multiple filters on a Sub-Layer, you can change how a filter is blended with the previous ones.
For this example, the Slope and the Noise filters will be used. Shown in LOOKDEV View for clarity.
The filters are sampled from bottom to top, so Splatmap > Height-Based > Slope > Directional > Noise.
Addition
When in Add mode, the filter will be ADDED on top of the previous result.
So here, the slope will be ADDED to the Noise.
Multiplication
When in Multiply mode, the filter will be MULTIPLIED on top of the previous result.
So here, the slope is multiplied and as such defines the zone in which the Noise will be applied.
If the slope returns 0, like if the surface is flat, then all subsequent filters rendered afterwards won't apply where the zone is zero (multiplied by 0 so not affected.)
Howerver this won't impact the zone where the Slope actually is, so multipled by 1 = unaffected.
You can in this way use a filter, noise etc on specific zones only.
Substraction
When in Subtract mode, the filter will be SUBSTRACTED from the previous result.
So here, the slope will be SUBTRACTED to the noise.
This can be used to apply noises, filters but excluding specific areas.
To automate the exclusion or application of certains masks, it is possible to link masks toghther so that you can easely, for example, apply a Noise only on your slopes, or apply grass only in the areas where there are no slopes, etc.
Think of the anchor points in Substance Painter, it is the same idea.
Linking masks together copies the values of a mask on another one and locks it up. The values are synchronized, so that editing a Parent value will also affect its children.
To link a filter, click on the Chain icon. The filter will be automatically turned on if it's off.
In this interface, you can choose from which Sub-Layer you want to link the mask you selected. In this case, the Sub-Layer 2 found the Sub-Layer 1 named "Slope Rocks SL1" has a Slope.
So, clicking this Sub-Layer will copy and link the settings of the Slope onto it.
The only thing that can be edited on a linked masks is its blending mode (if it is added, multiplied, or subtracted.)
For example, using Noise on the Sub-Layer 2 and linking the Slope of the Sub-Layer 1 in Substract mode, allows the noise of the SBL 2 to not affect the slope of the SBL 1.
The modifications you may make to the parent Slope in this case, will sync with all the children Slopes.
To unlink, simply select Unlink in the link window. The previous settings before the minking will be restored.
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