Blender Master Course: Geometry Nodes - Creating Grass

Chapter Overview

• Focus on creating grass for the landscape using Geometry Nodes.
• Review of previous chapters: creating a fence and a basic landscape.
• Reminder to check previous chapters from the playlist.

Creating Grass

Step 1: Setting Up the Scene

• Add a cube: Press Shift + A -> Select Mesh -> Cube.
• Move the cube: Press G, then Y to place it in the desired location.

Step 2: Geometry Nodes Editor

• Open Geometry Nodes Editor.
• Click on New to create a new node setup.
• Mesh Line Node:
  • Press Shift + A -> Mesh -> Primitives -> Select Mesh Line.
  • Connect it to the Group Output.

Step 3: Understanding the Mesh Line Node

• Functionality: Creates a mesh in the form of a line with vertices and edges.
• Options:
  • Offset: Change distance between points along an axis.
  • Start Location: Adjust position of the first vertex.
  • Count: Determines the number of vertices in the mesh line.
  • Mode: Options include Offset and End Points.

Step 4: Modifying the Mesh Line

• Delete the Mesh to Points node (initially used for visibility).
• Add a Vector Rotate Node:
  • Press Shift + A -> Utilities -> Vector -> Vector Rotate.
• Add a Set Position Node:
  • Press Shift + A -> Geometry -> Set Position.
• Add a Position Node to input vertex positions for rotation.
• Add an Index Node to control rotation angles.
• Use a Math Node to multiply and control rotation values.

Step 5: Converting Object Types

• Mesh to Curve Node:
  • Press Shift + A -> Mesh -> Operations -> Mesh to Curve.
• Curve to Mesh Node:
  • Press Shift + A -> Curve -> Operations -> Curve to Mesh.

Step 6: Adding Thickness to Grass

• Curve Line Node:
  • Press Shift + A -> Curve -> Primitives -> Curve Line.
• Control the width using the Profile Curve.

Step 7: Shaping the Grass Blade

• Add Set Curve Radius Node:
  • Press Shift + A -> Curve -> Right -> Set Curve Radius.
• Add Spline Parameter Node to control the radius:
  • Connect the Factor Output to the radius input.
• Use Map Range Node to invert values for shaping.

Step 8: Creating Grass Bunches

• Mesh Circle Node:
  • Press Shift + A -> Mesh -> Primitives -> Mesh Circle.
• Use Instance on Points to place grass on the circle.
• Add a Random Value Node for random rotation.

Step 9: Finalizing Grass Look

• Use Distribute Points on Faces to spread grass on the landscape surface.
• Add Set Material Node to assign a grass material:
  • Change the color to light green.

Step 10: Adding Properties to Control

• Add Group Input Node to control density, size, rotation, height, and bending of grass:
  • Connect relevant nodes to the group input for direct control.

Step 11: Placing Grass on the Landscape

• Use the Collection Info Node to instance the grass collection:
  • Ensure separate and reset children are enabled for correct placement.

Conclusion

• Review of creating grass and using Geometry Nodes effectively in Blender.
• Next chapter will focus on creating rocks.
• Reminder to subscribe and enable notifications for updates.