xpPlanarMesher takes a particle stream and adds polygons (triangles) between particles depending on the closeness of particles to one another.

It uses exactly the same algorithm as the xpTrail object Nearest by Distance connection mode so, if you wish, you can use the two objects together.

This is a simple mesher which generates geometry between three particles, using the Distance Mode settings, described below.

Since the algorithm is the same as the xpTrail object (in Nearest by Distance mode), you can generate and texture the geometry then render the splines from the xpTrail object to give an outline to the triangles.

This image demonstrates the xpPlanarMesher in conjunction with an xpTrail object.

Note: If you use xpTrail in this way, the settings should be identical in the xpPlanarMesher and the xpTrail object.

In that case, any spline triangle formed by connecting particles together in the xpTrail object will always be filled with a polygon.

However, if the Distance setting in xpTrail is greater than the Distance setting in xpPlaneMesher, you will see spline triangles which are not filled.

Of course, this may be what you want.

Conversely, if the Distance setting in xpTrail is smaller than the Distance setting in xpPlaneMesher, you will see polygons which don't always have a spline on each edge.

The xpPlaneMesher object does not produce a closed mesh, nor does it produce a mesh with volume like xpOpenVDBMesher.

Object Properties

xpPlanarMesher Object tab settings.

Emitter