minimumDistance function

float minimumDistance(target, label)

target selector

intra Checks against labeled shapes in the same shape tree, that is, from the same initial shape.
inter Checks against labeled shapes in other shape trees, that is, generated by other initial shapes in the neighborhood.
all Checks both intra and inter.

label string The context query is performed only on shapes that match the requested label. It must not be empty. If the label is empty, infinity is returned.

Returns the minimum distance of the current scope to all scopes of shapes that match the given label. If no shape is found matching the specified label, infinity is returned.

A context query that returns the distance of the current scope to the scopes of other shapes.

Learn more about important characteristics for context queries in conditions and inter context.

Related

Context (and occlusion) queries labeloperation contextComparefunction contextCountfunction isinffunction

Examples

Split rule

minimumDistance 1 
Lot --> split(x) { ~0.1 : Lot(split.index) }*

Lot(x) --> split(z) { ~0.1 : Lot(x, split.index) }*

Lot(x, z) --> [ case (x == 12) && (z == 12) : label("label")
                else : NIL ]
              Extrude(minimumDistance(intra, "label"))

Extrude(dist) --> case dist < 1 : extrude(1-dist) X.
                  else : NIL

This example applies the Lot rule to a single shape, using intra context. The shape is split in x- and z-direction into small lots. At the center of the initial shape a shape with label "label" is created. Each lot in the grid is extruded with respect to the minimum distance to the labeled center shape.

Scatter rule

minimumDistance 2 
Lot --> scatter(surface, 500, uniform) { Scattered }

Scattered --> 1% : Label
              else : Check

Label --> primitiveCylinder(16, 0.1, 1) color(1,0,0) label("label")

Check --> case minimumDistance(intra, "label") < 1 : NIL
          else : primitiveCylinder(16, 0.05, 0.5)

This example applies the Lot rule to a single shape, using intra context. Scattered cylinders are labeled with "label" and colored red in 1% of all cases. In all other cases cylinders are placed if they are more than a distance of 1 away from a red cylinder.