Hydra to 3D Mental Model

triode keeps Hydra's live coding flow, but expands it from image-space composition into a scene-space + image-space workflow.

Core idea

Think in two layers that can feed each other:

Signal chain layer

Hydra transforms (osc, noise, blend, modulate, etc.) generate and transform textures/signals.

Scene layer

Three.js scene graph (stage/scene, group, mesh, lights, world) composes objects and cameras.

In triode, these layers connect directly:

A Hydra chain can become a Three material (osc().phong()).
A scene can render to an output or texture and get reused by another chain.

Mental mapping from classic Hydra

Classic Hydra concept	triode equivalent
`osc().color().render()`	still valid for texture output
source chain as final image	source chain as image or material input
one composition space (UV)	two spaces: UV + scene graph/object space
feedback via `src(o0)`	feedback plus scene-to-texture workflows via `.tex()`

Rule of thumb

Use generator chains when your problem is procedural texture/signal design.
Use scene APIs when your problem is object placement, camera, lighting, or world composition.
Use both together for most 3D sketches.

Minimal combined example

perspective([2, 2, 3], [0, 0, 0], { controls: true });

const mat = osc(8, 0.1, 0.8).rotateDeg(noise(1).mult(45)).phong();

stage().lights({ all: true }).mesh(geom.box(), mat).render();

Global vs non-global mode mental model

makeGlobal: true

- functions like osc, stage, geom are installed on window. - best for fast live coding and sketching.

makeGlobal: false

- call through const H = triode.synth; H.osc(...); H.stage(...); - best for embedding in serious apps, multi-instance hosts, and isolation.

Semantics to keep in mind

rotateDeg() uses degrees, rotateRad() uses radians, and rotate() is a legacy degrees alias.
.tex() returns a rendered texture from the chain.
.texMat() returns a Three material with the chain baked as map.
clear controls accumulation/trails and can be applied at multiple levels (autoClear remains as alias).