# Geometry COMP Reference

## Creating Geometry COMPs

```python
geo = root.create(geometryCOMP, 'geo1')
# Remove default torus
for c in list(geo.children):
    if c.valid: c.destroy()
# Build your shape inside
```

## Correct Pattern (shapes inside geo)

```python
# Create shape INSIDE the geo COMP
box = geo.create(boxSOP, 'cube')
box.par.sizex = 1.5; box.par.sizey = 1.5; box.par.sizez = 1.5

# For POP-based geometry (TD 099), POPs must be inside:
sph = geo.create(spherePOP, 'shape')
out1 = geo.create(outPOP, 'out1')
out1.inputConnectors[0].connect(sph.outputConnectors[0])
```

## DO NOT: Common Mistakes

```python
# BAD: Don't create geometry at parent level and wire into COMP
box = root.create(boxPOP, 'box1')  # ← outside geo, won't render

# BAD: Don't reference parent operators from inside COMP
choptopop1.par.chop = '../null1'  # ← hidden dependency, breaks on move
```

## Instancing

```python
geo.par.instancing = True
geo.par.instanceop = 'sopto1'    # relative path to CHOP/SOP with instance data
geo.par.instancetx = 'tx'
geo.par.instancety = 'ty'
geo.par.instancetz = 'tz'
```

### Instance Attribute Names by OP Type

| OP Type | Attribute Names |
|---------|-----------------|
| CHOP | Channel names: `tx`, `ty`, `tz` |
| SOP/POP | `P(0)`, `P(1)`, `P(2)` for position |
| DAT | Column header names from first row |
| TOP | `r`, `g`, `b`, `a` |

### Mixed Data Sources

```python
geo.par.instanceop = 'pos_chop'       # Position from CHOP
geo.par.instancetx = 'tx'
geo.par.instancecolorop = 'color_top' # Color from TOP
geo.par.instancecolorr = 'r'
```

## Rendering Setup

```python
# Camera
cam = root.create(cameraCOMP, 'cam1')
cam.par.tx = 0; cam.par.ty = 0; cam.par.tz = 4

# Render TOP
render = root.create(renderTOP, 'render1')
render.par.outputresolution = 'custom'
render.par.resolutionw = 1280; render.par.resolutionh = 720
render.par.camera = cam.path
render.par.geometry = geo.path  # accepts path string
```

## POPs vs SOPs for Rendering

In TD 099, `geometryCOMP` renders **POPs** but NOT SOPs. A `boxSOP` inside a geometry COMP is invisible — no errors.

```python
# WRONG — SOPs don't render (invisible, no errors)
box = geo.create(boxSOP, 'cube')       # ✗ invisible

# CORRECT — POPs render
box = geo.create(boxPOP, 'cube')       # ✓ visible
```

| SOP | POP | Notes |
|-----|-----|-------|
| `boxSOP` | `boxPOP` | `sizex/y/z`, `surftype` |
| `sphereSOP` | `spherePOP` | `radx/y/z`, `freq`, `type` (geodesic/grid/sharedpoles/tetrahedron) |
| `torusSOP` | `torusPOP` | TD auto-creates in new geo COMPs |
| `circleSOP` | `circlePOP` | |
| `gridSOP` | `gridPOP` | |
| `tubeSOP` | `tubePOP` | |

New geometry COMPs auto-create: `in1` (inPOP), `out1` (outPOP), `torus1` (torusPOP). Always clean before building.

## Morphing Between Shapes (switchPOP)

```python
sw = geo.create(switchPOP, 'shape_switch')
sw.par.index.expr = 'int(absTime.seconds / 3) % 4'
sw.inputConnectors[0].connect(tetra.outputConnectors[0])  # shape 0
sw.inputConnectors[1].connect(box.outputConnectors[0])    # shape 1
sw.inputConnectors[2].connect(octa.outputConnectors[0])   # shape 2
sw.inputConnectors[3].connect(sphere.outputConnectors[0]) # shape 3

out = geo.create(outPOP, 'out1')
out.inputConnectors[0].connect(sw.outputConnectors[0])
```

`spherePOP.par.type` options: `geodesic`, `grid`, `sharedpoles`, `tetrahedron`. Use `tetrahedron` for platonic solid polyhedra.

## Misc

- `connect()` replaces existing connections — no need to disconnect first
- `project.name` returns the TOE filename, `project.folder` returns the directory