Using Genetica
As I mentioned previously, Genetica is a node-based system. You can start with a preset texture that comes with Genetica (and there are a LOT of them) or you can create your own. As you build your texture, nodes are layered to create a final result as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1 - The Genetica Interface
Nodes can be edited by clicking the button above the node. For example, in Figure 1, two of the nodes have a Lab button that you can click to enter the corresponding lab and tweak the texture. It is in this area that Genetica really shines. As you dig deeper into a texture, you begin to see the power behind Genetica.
You can add as many nodes as you'd like to create your texture. Groups of nodes are called a branch, and nodes can be added at any time and at any position within the branch. Complex textures can be created by nesting branches. In other words, in addition to nesting effects and materials to create a single texture, you can nest branches for even greater control.
As you create textures that are more complex, you'll end up with a pretty complex branch of nodes. Managing these is made much easier by Genetica's grouping feature. By right-clicking on the branch and selecting Group Branch from the menu, you can change that branch into a single node called a group node. The group node will have an Edit button above it that will allow you to dig into that group and edit it as a single unit.
The easiest way to get a handle on all of this is to open up one of the textures included with Genetica and play with it to see how it was created. I promise you that you will end up with some cool new textures that you'll want to save and use in your own work.
In Figure 2, I am editing a texture in the Substance Lab, just one of the eight labs available in Genetica. Notice the Select Type button in the Plasma section. This button opens a Select Type dialog with a broad range of noise types, from wood to water ripples. Each one can be precisely manipulated and previewed in real-time giving you the power to create exactly the texture you need.
Figure 2 - The Substance Lab
In addition to the eight labs, Genetica also offers numerous generators, filters, presets, and other features to give you just the look you need and all of them can be rendered in high-quality textures. If you're not convinced, check out Figure 3, an image of a cracked mud texture rendered with Genetica.
Figure 3 - Dry, cracked mud rendered in Genetica.
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