Objects and modules
An object is an instance of a module: a shape, an outline, a curve, an imported file, text, a mark, a cloner, a shader, an interface, a fitting or a group.
Everything on the stage is an object. An object is an instance of a module: the module says what kind of thing it is and which properties it exposes; the object holds the values, its transform, and its place in the tree.
Open in Puni and choose a scene to edit its objects.
#Kinds of module
| Kind | What it makes | Typical properties |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | A sphere, capsule, rounded box, ring, cone or knot | form, width, height, depth, softness, opening, blend |
| Outline | A flat drawing, or an exact SVG path such as a logo, extruded into a solid | outline data, thickness, corner rounding, bevel |
| Curve | A tube along a path | path, radius |
| Source | An imported GLB, LEGO model, SVG or picture | material (source or Puni's own), color |
| Text | Set type as geometry | text, font, depth |
| Mark | A brand mark from a drawing | outline, depth |
| Cloner | Copies of a template object on a line, a grid, a ring or a curve, each varied by fields | count, spacing, fields, stagger |
| Shader | A surface drawn by code | code, uniforms |
| Interface | A layout of boxes, text and paths rendered to one plane | width, height, bindings |
| Fitting | A button, knob, pad, screen, port, strap, hinge, screw, foot or seam mounted on a body | anchor, size, inset, turn |
| Group | A folder for other objects, with controls that drive its children | parameter bindings |
Every module also carries a skin: Material (solid, metal or glass), Color, Roughness, and for solids Finish and Weight.
#Selecting and moving
Click an object on the stage or in the rail. Shift-click to add to the selection. The tools are V select, W move, E rotate, R scale. Drag the handles, or type values under Transform. Positions are in millimetres.
#Groups and assemblies
A group is a container. Drag objects into it in the rail, or select them and press ⌘G. A group can expose a control that drives its children, so a whole assembly answers one slider.
An imported model keeps its pieces. The rail shows the assembly and its part count; expand it to reach a single piece, hide it, or select it on the stage. The Ford GT study has 1,461 pieces and every one is addressable.
#The inspector
The inspector shows the Scene tab when nothing is selected: length, frame rate, frame size, lighting, exposure, background, shadows, and the cameras. Selecting an object opens its selected object’s named tab. Advanced properties sit one layer down under More properties.
Read Motion next to make objects move.
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