--- title: "Object Properties" url: "https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/OVOLUMEBUILDER-ID_OBJECTPROPERTIES.html" section_path: "Volumes > Volume Builder > Object Properties" element_id: "OVOLUMEBUILDER" group_id: "ID_OBJECTPROPERTIES" description: "There are two types of Volumes (depending on which is selected, either Boole or blend options will be available in the Object List):" --- ## Object Properties ### Volume Type Parameter ID: `ID_VOLUMEBUILDER_VOLUMETYPE` There are two types of Volumes (depending on which is selected, either Boole or blend options will be available in the Object List): Signed Distance Field This Volume type (SDF) can be used when a Boolean operation has to be applied when modeling. What does this Volume type do? Polygons, points and particles themselves have no volume. In order to generate volume, layers of Voxels are placed around these elements (over and under polygon surfaces). The Voxels are arranged in a Voxel Grid: ![Image: 041451.jpg](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/041451.jpg)\ Left section: the smaller the **Voxel Size**, the more precise the sphere's shape is; Right: Voxel layers are generated on the shape's inner and outer surfaces. Each Voxel's value reflects its distance from the polygon surface. Note the Volume Mesher's [Voxel Range Threshold](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/OVOLUMETOMESH-ID_OBJECTPROPERTIES.html.md) setting, which will again make a polygon surface from the Voxels. The polygon surface can only be generated within the Voxel layers (i.e., the actual Volume). Fog This Volume Type is primarily suited for rendering fluids, fire, fog and smoke (you can load smoke and fluids simulations from third-party applications). What does this Volume type do? Simply put, it fills closed volumetric polygon objects entirely with Voxels. When working with particles, splines or points, Volumes are generated around the points using a scalable radius. A value between 0 (outer) and 1 (inner) is saved for each Voxel. How precisely the value range is distributed is defined by the [Inside Voxel Falloff](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/TVOLUMEBUILDER-ID_VOLUMEBUILDER_TAG_MAINTAB.html.md) setting. Vector ![Image: 043429.jpg](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/043429.jpg)\ 3 object types are converted to vectors. This option is somewhat different from the two previously described options. Here, Volume Vectors and not voxels are created for modeling. This is a spatial distribution of vectors. The **Voxel Size** setting also plays a role here because all vectors withing a voxel are identical with regard to value and direction, which defines the "resolution" of the Volume Vectors. In the viewport, these Volume Vectors are displayed as follows by default: one vector is shown per voxel and is colored according to its direction (in the Volume Builder's object coordinate system: +X, +Y, +Z in the usual colors, -X turquoise, -Y dark violet, -Z ocre and the corresponding in-between values). In the viewport's Option menu under Volume Vectors you will find additional options for displaying Volume Vectors. All settings described here for arranging/distributing voxels also apply to vectors. Voxels can contain all types of values for modeling purposes, for example (if Volume Type] is set to **Signed Distance Field**) the distance from the surface. A limited voxel view around a polygon surface, e.g., for a sphere, leaves the center of the sphere "free of direction" - null vectors lie here. Another functionality within Cinema 4D - [Fields](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/58091.html.md) - can also be used to control vectors spatially. What are these Volume Vectors good for? You can, for example, control forces using the [Field Force](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/OFIELDFORCE.html.md). ### Voxel Size Parameter ID: `ID_VOLUMEBUILDER_GRID_SIZE` · Range: [0..+∞m] ![Image: 041452.jpg](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/041452.jpg)\ Decreasing **Voxel Size** values from left to right. Use this value to define the Voxel size, i.e., the Voxel grid resolution, in centimeters. The smaller the value, the more precise the result and the longer the render times will be. If you enter values that are too low, a warning prompt will be displayed. If the value is too large, it will be increasingly difficult to work with the Voxels. The following 4 settings apply to the **Volume Type** SDF. ### Interior Voxel Range Parameter ID: `ID_VOLUMEBUILDER_HALF_BAND_MESH_INTERIOR` · Range: [1..2147483647] ### Exterior Voxel Range Parameter ID: `ID_VOLUMEBUILDER_HALF_BAND_MESH_EXTERIOR` · Range: [1..2147483647] Use these settings to define the number of Voxel layers should be generated on the inner and outer areas (see image here: Volume Type). These settings are used in conjunction with the Volume Mesher's **Voxel Range Threshold** setting. A mesh can only be generated between these two Voxel ranges (i.e., within the actual Volume). The **Interior Voxel Range** is applied towards the object's interior. If you want to affect the object's interior sides using the Reshape Filter (e.g., with Noise falloff), this value must be increased: ![Image: 041453.jpg](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/041453.jpg)\ Different values applied for volume definition on a cube. Note, however, that the speed of calculation will slow correspondingly with increasing values. The Volume filters can also be used to affect Voxel layers (see [here](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/OVOLUMEFILTER-ID_VOLUMEFILTER_FILTERTAB.html.md)). ### Spline Voxel Range Parameter ID: `ID_VOLUMEBUILDER_HALF_BAND_SPLINE` · Range: [1..2147483647] So you don't have to create a Sweep object to create a tubular volume using a spline, overlapping spheres are placed along the spline, combined and then Voxel layers are placed around interior and exterior of the structure. The **Spline Voxel Range** setting defines the number of Voxel layers on the interior and exterior of the surface. ### Particle Voxel Range Parameter ID: `ID_VOLUMEBUILDER_HALF_BAND_PARTICLE` · Range: [1..2147483647] The Volume Builder places a sphere next to each particle, around which in turn Voxel layers are placed. The **Particle Voxel Range** setting defines the Voxel layers on the interior and exterior of the surface. ### Objects Parameter ID: `ID_VOLUMEBUILDER_OBJECT_LIST` This is the heart of the Volume Builder. This list contains all objects out of which a Volume should be built. For multiple objects, you can determine how these should be Booled (**SDF**) or calculated (**Fog**). If you make an object a Child object of the Volume Builder, this object will automatically be added to the list and hidden in the Viewport. You can also drag objects into the list (these may have to be hidden manually). The objects will be evaluated from the bottom to the top of the list. The elements in the list can be re-arranged via drag & drop. A new folder can also be created. The usual selection functions can be used: drag a selection box to select multiple elements, use the `Shift` and `Ctrl`/`Cmd` keys to select or deselect a series or individual elements, etc. When an element is selected, additional settings will be displayed in the menu below. > **Tip:** Tip:Note that when deleting list elements, which are also Child objects of the corresponding Volume Builder, the objects will also be deleted in the Object Manager. This behavior deviates from the usual behavior when deleting elements. A similar function will also be found in the Field lists. The Objects list can be compared to the layer structure of an image editing program, where the evaluation of layers also runs from the bottom to the top. A subsequently added layer affects the previous layer using a modifiable mode (like the mix or blend mode in an image editing program. To continue with this analogy, a Volume Filter can be placed in the same folder as the layers it affects and the effect of Volume Filters can also be masked using linked fields (**Field** tab). The Objects list has the following columns: - **Enable/ Disable**: Use this option to include or exclude elements from the Volume Builder (the object's visibility in the Viewport will also change if it's a Child object of the Volume Builder) - **Name**: The respective object's name - **Mode**: Different Boole or blend options, depending on the Volume Type defined (details: Modes). - **Input Type**: Depending on whether the respective object is a Child object of a Volume Builder or was dragged from a different hierarchy (linked), the object will be classified accordingly. Child objects will, when removed from the list or deleted, also be deleted from the Object Manager (this will not happen with linked objects!). - **Radius**: (only for Distance Field (SDF) volume type). If values greater than 0 are defined here, radii will be added accordingly to the edges of the Boolean operations. You can use this to create soft transitions to the combined initial objects Objects can appear double in the list. What's this good for? This is often a requirement for complex Boolean operations in which numerous results are in turn combined with other Booles: ![Image: 041454.jpg](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/041454.jpg)\ The objects Green and Sphere are used twice even though they appear only once in the Object Manager. [![Image: halvar.png](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/halvar.png)](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/Resources/Scenes/041455.c4d) ## List Element Settings Depending on the type of object in the list and which **Volume Type** is defined, the following settings will be displayed when the respective object is selected, i.e., not all settings described below will always be displayed. The following types of objects can be added to the list: - Polygon objects or their Generators - Spline or their Generators - Matrix objects and particles (use the particle group for Thinking Particles) - Fields and Falloff objects (the latter has a Field list in its Fields tab in which not only Fields can be combined but effect layers can also work; the Group Field works the same way) - Other Volume objects (whose Voxel values have to be combined for the Voxel Builder's Voxel values, which can result in longer calculation times) such as the Pyro object, for example. ### Volume Filter Layer Use these settings to create a [Volume Filter](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/OVOLUMEFILTER.html.md) (depending on the volume type, different filters will be made available; this is the same Filter object only with different settings. These can be found in the main menu under Volume/ Signed Distance Field Filters, Fog Filters and Vector Filters). These filters will not be created as objects in the Object Manager but will only exist here in the list. Contrary to the Filter objects, these have a reduced parameter set (e.g., the Coord tab will be hidden because its properties are irrelevant or will be assumed by the Volume Builder object). These Filters can, however, be generated and dragged into the list just like objects. The functionality is the same. The Filters affect elements arranged above them in the list. ### Folder Creates a folder that has a Mode assigned to it. A folder can have the following uses: - Restrict a Volume Filter's effect to specific objects or object groups - Create a better overview Elements will also be evaluated from bottom to top within a folder. ### Cache Clicking on this button will create a [Cache Layer](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/OVOLUMECACHELAYER.html.md) in accordance with the elements selected in the list. ## Blend Modes ### Modes when using Signed Distance Field (SDF) In this mode, Boolean operations can be executed. ![Image: 041458.jpg](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/041458.jpg)\ The effects of the modes for partially overlapping objects (the sphere lies below the cube in the list). The following modes are available: - **Union**: The object to which the mode is assigned will be combined with the object arranged above it in the list - **Subtract**: The object to which the mode is assigned will be subtracted from the object arranged above it in the list - **Intersect**: Only the intersection of the object to which the mode is assigned and the object arranged above it in the list will remain ### Modes when using Fog Each Fog Voxel saves a float comma number as a value. The modes that can be defined here do nothing more than calculate these values mathematically. For example, if the Min mode is selected and Volume A puts out a value of 7 and Volume B a value of 5 for the same Voxel, the result will be 5. If Max is selected, the result would be 7 and with Add 12, etc. Normal will simply overwrite the Voxel values of the object arranged above it in the list with the values from the object to which the Voxels are assigned. In the example above, the result would be 5. How this works in conjunction with the Falloff object can be read [here](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/TVOLUMEBUILDER-ID_VOLUMEBUILDER_TAG_MAINTAB.html.md). The calculations are not particularly descriptive - testing together with a Volume Mesher can produce faster results. ### Modes for use with the Vector volume type If you want to blend vectors, you can select from the following options: - **Normal**: The list element that defines the mode overwrites the underlying modes. - **Add/Subtract**: Vectors will be added or subtracted. - **Cross**: This special mode ascertains a direction perpendicular to the plane that spans both vectors to be blended. Directions that are tangential to polygon surfaces can be realized: ![Image: 043431.jpg](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/043431.jpg)\ A Noise Random Field is blended with a mesh in Cross mode. The vectors that run tangential to the surface of the mesh use a Field Force to control the force on a particle (whose path is in turn converted to splines by a tracer) created by a matterwave node. ## Special particle settings If you assign a particle group from the native Cinema 4D particle system, the following three settings will be made available for evaluating the particles contained in the group. Note that these settings are not available for Thinking Particle groups. ### Use Particle Size Parameter ID: `ID_VOLUMEBUILDER_TAG_USEPARTICLERADIUS` Activate this option to evaluate the actual size of particles in the group. The separate **Radius** setting (see next parameter description) will then no longer function.\ Since each particle can be assigned individual radii via the emitter or particle modifiers,various spherical volumes can be filled with voxels per particle. Note in conjunction with this, the **Voxel Size** setting for the volume *generator*.This must be smaller than the Radius of a given particle so it can be taken into consideration for volume creation. ![Image: 2025-1_Volume_Particle_Radius_01.png](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/2025-1_Volume_Particle_Radius_01.png) On the left of the image above, particles with various radii can be seen. The radii were made visible by activating the **Draw Radius** option in the Particle Group's Draw menu. At the center of the image you can see the result of volume generation for this Particle Group. The volumes assume the sizes of the differently sized particles. On the right, this option was disabled. The particles are evaluated using a constant size for volume generation, which can be defined via the volume generator's **Radius** value. ### Radius Parameter ID: `ID_VOLUMEBUILDER_TAG_RADIUS` · Range: [0..+∞m] This setting is only used if **Use Particle Size** is disabled. A uniformly-sized volume will be generated around each particle of the assigned group, whose size is defined via this radius. ### Velocity Scale Parameter ID: `ID_VOLUMEBUILDER_TAG_VELOCITY_SCALE` · Range: [0.00..+∞] Values greater than 0 will cause the volume of each particle do deform when in flight. The particles will be distorted more or less, depending on their velocity. The **Velocity Scale** works like a multiplier for the velocity of the particles. If a particle moves with a **Velocity** of 100cm per second with a **Velocity Scale** of 1, the volumes will be distorted (elongated) by 100cm, as in the image below. ![Image: 2025-1_Volume_Particle_Radius_02.png](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/2025-1_Volume_Particle_Radius_02.png)\ On the left, particles with volume and without **Velocity Scale**; right with **Velocity Scale**. Note that the elongated volumes can stretch beyond the emitter surface, as can be seen on the right in the image above. This affects in particular newly emitted particles near the emitter. ### Override Grid Matrix Parameter ID: `ID_VOLUMEBUILDER_GRID_MATRIX_OVERRIDE` ![Image: 041457.jpg](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/041457.jpg)\ Converting a cube to Voxels: left with the default grid, right rotated. When generating Voxels, a grid made up of cube-shaped grid cels is used. By default, this grid lies at the object origin with no rotation. Drag another object onto the grid to define its origin and orientation for the Voxel Grid. So, what's this good for? When the Volume Mesher creates a mesh from the Voxels, artefacting can occur during interpolation. Assuming you have 3 cubes at different positions, for example. Depending on the position, one cube's edge can be very sharp because it lies on the edge surface of two Voxels and the other cube's edge looks rounded because it runs through the middle of a Voxel. In such cases it can be useful to overwrite the default Grid Matrix to round both edges. Another possible use would be the animation of an object group using the static Grid Matrix. This will cause cracks in the geometry (especially obvious when using larger **Voxel Scale** values). If you drag the grouping Null object, for example, into the Override Grid Matrix field, the Grid Matrix will move as well and no cracks will occur. ### Match Voxel Size Parameter ID: `ID_VOLUMEBUILDER_MATCH_GRID_BUTTON` This button will be displayed if a Volume object or Volume Builder is placed into the **Override Grid Matrix** field. What does this button do? It sets the **Voxel Scale** of the Volume Builder to that of the placed (Volume)object. This synchronizes the Voxel scales (the direction is already correct because of the **Override Grid Matrix** function) and the calculation is optimized to be as fast as possible. In other words: no re-sampling is necessary because the Voxels lie exactly on top of one another. ### Auto Update Settings Parameter ID: `ID_VOLUMEBUILDER_AUTOUPDATE` Depending on the scene's complexity, working in the Objects list can be quite arduous, for example, if all Boolean operations have to be calculated when a Boole mode is changed. This automatic recalculation will always take place if the **Auto Update Settings** option is enabled. If you want to quickly make several changes you should disable this option before doing so. After the changes have been made you can click on the **Update** button (see below) to recalculate the Objects list. ### Update Parameter ID: `ID_VOLUMEBUILDER_UPDATEBUTTON` Click on this button to recalculate the Objects list. Enable the **Auto Update Settings** option if you want this done automatically. ### Infos At the very bottom of the menu, the total number of active Voxels and the approximate memory requirement for the object currently active in the Objects list are displayed.