We have already seen how to apply gradient ascent, descent and contour lines to heightfield like planar geometry. The same concept can be applied to heightfields.
Because heightfields are volumes, getting the gradient is very easy by using the volumegradient function. The normal of a heightfield is (0, 1, 0) if the heightfield is an XZ volume, meaning facing up. Getting the cross product of both of these vectors will give you the contour lines.
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Pragmatic VEX series is aimed to increase the technical capacity of the artists and TDs which will allow them to tackle more complex production shots with complete control and ease by acquiring a deeper technical understanding of how things work in Houdini at the lowest level with a strong applied focus on high-end feature film visual effects production.
Created by Yunus "animatrix" Balcioglu, currently a Senior FX Technical Director at Industrial Light & Magic. Feature film credits include The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Marvel's Eternals, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, X-Men: Dark Phoenix, X-Men: Apocalypse, Aquaman, Alien: Covenant, Pirates of the Caribbean, Justice League and many more.
Overlay Network Editor feature is part of Supercharged extension: gum.co/fxsup
