Data Types
Understanding the data types used in Spectralite nodes
Data Types
Nodes in Spectralite work with different types of data. Understanding these types helps you build effective effects.
Core types
Number
The most common type. A single numeric value.
Range: Any real number (typically 0-1 for normalized values)
Uses:
- Intensity/brightness
- Animation progress
- Mathematical calculations
- Single channel control
Color on ports: Gray
Color
An RGBWAUV color value, matching the emitter set common on professional lighting fixtures.
Format: six components: Red, Green, Blue, White, Amber, UV.
Range: Each component 0-255.
Uses:
- Fixture color output
- Color mixing
- Gradients
Fixtures that only expose RGB or RGBW ignore the extra channels. Fixtures with amber or UV emitters receive them directly without any extra setup.
Color on ports: Blue.
Vector
A multi-component value, typically 2D or 3D coordinates.
Format:
- Vec2: (X, Y)
- Vec3: (X, Y, Z)
- Vec4: (X, Y, Z, W)
Uses:
- Position in position maps
- UV coordinates
- Direction vectors
Color on ports: Purple
Boolean
True or false value.
Values: true (1) or false (0)
Uses:
- Conditions
- Toggles
- On/off states
Color on ports: Green
Special types
ColorMap
A gradient or lookup table of colors.
Uses:
- Map values to color ranges
- Create palettes
- Gradient effects
Curve
An easing curve or bezier path.
Uses:
- Animation timing
- Value remapping
- Custom response curves
Type conversion
Automatic conversion
Some conversions happen automatically:
- Number → Boolean (0 = false, non-zero = true)
- Boolean → Number (false = 0, true = 1)
Explicit conversion
Use conversion nodes for:
- Color ↔ Vector (RGB components as XYZ; W/A/UV are not part of the vector)
- Number → Vector (same value for all components)
- Vector → Number (extract a component)
Type compatibility
Connection rules
Ports can only connect when types match or convert:
| From | To | Allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Number | Number | Yes |
| Number | Color | No (use conversion) |
| Vector | Number | No (extract component) |
| Color | Vector | Yes (RGB as XYZ) |
| Boolean | Number | Yes (automatic) |
Invalid connections
When you try to connect incompatible types:
- Connection won't complete
- Tooltip shows the issue
- Use a conversion node
Working with types
Inspecting types
To see a port's type:
- Hover over the port
- Check the port color
- Look at the tooltip
Type errors
If a node shows an error:
- Check input types
- Add conversion nodes if needed
- Verify connections are valid
Normalized values
Many effects work best with normalized values (0-1 range) so they blend predictably with any output.
How to normalize
Use these nodes:
- Remap - Scale any range to 0-1
- Clamp - Limit to 0-1
- Fract - Keep decimal part only
Related
- Connecting Nodes - How to make connections
- Conversion Nodes - Conversion node reference