Channel Field
Build a multi-channel field from per-channel field inputs. A schema (PBR, Fluid, and the rest) names the channels so downstream nodes recognise them, and 'custom' takes the names you supply.
What it does
Channel Field packs several fields into one multi-channel bundle: a single output carrying albedo, roughness, normal and the rest as named lanes rather than separate wires. A Schema grows one input per channel that schema expects. Channels left unwired fall back to that schema's defaults.
Schema set to "custom" reads a comma-separated list from Channel Names (for example temperature, velocity, age) and builds one input per name, for bundles that match no known schema.
When to use it
Several maps into one material node, a PBR shader for example: albedo, metallic, roughness, normal, ao and emissive as one bundled connection instead of six wires.
Simulation data assembled into one value: fluid
velocity,density,pressureandtemperature, or particleposition,velocity,color,massandlifetime.An ad-hoc bundle of named fields that fits no built-in schema: Schema set to "custom", channel names typed in.
| Parameter | Type | Default |
|---|---|---|
schema | String | "pbr" |
channel_names | String | "" |
opacity | Number | 1 |
Gotchas
In "custom" mode, Channel Names is a plain comma-separated list. Duplicate and blank names are ignored, and the names are read only while Schema is set to "custom".
Switching Schema replaces the input pins. Fields wired into the old channel set are dropped, so pick the schema before wiring.
Every channel does not need a wire. An unwired channel falls back to that schema's default, so only the overridden maps need wiring.
Worked example
Add a Channel Field node and leave Schema on "pbr".
Wire an image or field into the Albedo and Roughness channels; leave Metallic, Normal, Ao, and Emissive unwired to use their defaults.
Connect the output into a material or renderer node that expects a multi-channel field.
For a custom bundle, set Schema to "custom" and type channel names (e.g.
temperature, velocity) into Channel Names. One input lane appears per name.
See also
Harmonic Field · Vector Field · Rasterize · Multi-channel fields