Documentation
Filters processing.morphology
The Morphology node on the VFX Loom graph canvas.
Fig. 1 The Morphology node in its resting, collapsed state on the VFX Loom graph canvas.

Overview

Dilates or erodes visible alpha.

Alpha-neighborhood morphology; current production modes are Dilate and Erode.

Category
Filters
Internal ID
processing.morphology
Version
VFX Loom 1.0

Inputs

InputTypeRequiredDefaultMeaning
in Image Required — See the overview for the node's documented behavior.

Properties

PropertyTypeDefaultAnimatableRange / optionsEffect
Mode Enum Dilate Not declared Dilate · Erode Dilate expands visible alpha; Erode contracts it.
Radius Scalar .02 Yes Hard 0..0.25 Sets the neighbourhood size as a fraction of the shorter image dimension.

Outputs

OutputTypeMeaning
out Image The production node output described by the overview.

Usage

In practice

  • Use Dilate to expand visible alpha and Erode to contract it. This is useful for mask cleanup, silhouette growth, and controlled gaps between shapes.
  • Radius is a fraction of the shorter image dimension, so the same authored value remains comparable when the render resolution changes.
  • Apply Morphology before colour when the alpha shape is the thing being designed; use Blur afterward when the expanded or contracted edge needs softness.

Worked example: Shape → Morphology → Colorize

Adjust a procedural silhouette before turning it into a final colour and alpha treatment.

  1. Connect Shape Out to Morphology and start with Dilate at a small Radius.
  2. Switch to Erode when the mask should shrink or create a larger internal gap, then compare the result at the final image resolution.
  3. Connect the result to Colorize or Composite after the alpha boundary is correct.

Notes / limitations

  • The current production modes are Dilate and Erode; Morphology does not provide a general-purpose blur or distance-field output.
  • The source does not declare a parameter step for Radius.