TouchDesigner Dynamic Particle System with Attractors Part 3: Crisp Trails with Texture 3D TOP

In this new project series, we will build a particle system controlled by multiple attractor systems, including autonomous agents! We will also learn some cool, off-the-beaten path post processing techniques and look at python for project extensions!

In Part 3, we create crisp particle trails using a Texture 3D top and write our own GLSL material (not to fear – the coding is simple!). We also add some further post processing to add some dynamic depth of field.

Edit: The documentation is a bit out of date and you can use Texture3D inputs with the GLSL Multi TOP and ‘sTD3DInputs[x]’. You can just copy/paste the fragment shader code, update the texture sample coordinates to the vUV uniforms, and be off. This will reduce some of the overhead from rendering the quad.

Project Files: patreon.com/water__shed

00:00:00 – Start
00:02:34 – Texture3D Intro
00:12:40 – Texture 3D Feedback
00:22:29 – Render Quad
00:24:19 – GLSL Material
00:39:04 – Feedback with Texture 3D
00:55:16 – Adding Perspective