Capture Attribute Node

The Capture Attribute node stores the result of a field on a geometry, and outputs the data as a node socket so it can be used by other nodes.

The result is stored on the geometry just like a regular attribute with a name, but instead of referencing it with a name, it is retrieved whenever the socket is connected to the input of a node. Later on when evaluating the node tree, the attribute will be removed automatically if it is no longer used.

This node is essential because field input nodes like the Radius Node work in the context of the node they are connected to. Meaning that in order to pass data like radius to a geometry that doesn’t have radius, an explicit node link with the output of this node must be used.

Note

Because this node stores an anonymous attribute in the geometry, it’s essential to use the geometry output for further operations in the node tree. The anonymous attribute will not exist for any other geometry besides the output.

Inputs

Geometry

Standard geometry input.

Capture Items

The input field to evaluate. More fields can be added by dragging sockets into the blank socket or in the Capture Items panel. Items can be renamed by Ctrl-LMB on the socket name or in the nodes Properties panel.

Properties

Domain

Which attribute domain to store the evaluated data on.

Capture Items

Reference

Menu:

Sidebar ‣ Node ‣ Properties ‣ Capture Items

Manages the input fields sockets of the node. Field sockets can be added, removed, reorganized, and renamed from the List View.

Data Type

The data type used for the evaluated data.

Outputs

Geometry

Standard geometry output.

Attribute

The result of the evaluated field, stored on the geometry.

Examples

Here, a noise texture is evaluated in along the path of the curve in one dimension and rendered with a shader. The capture node is required because the output of the Curve to Mesh Node does not have a “curve parameter”, since it is a mesh and not a curve. So, the Spline Parameter Node must be evaluated while the geometry is still a curve.

Internally, after the noise texture is evaluated on the curve, it is automatically copied to the mesh result of the Curve to Mesh node. This means that anywhere Attribute output of this node can be connected along the same stream of geometry nodes, the internal attribute will be available.