How to import a python array into the emitter

[yangocean-sudo]

Hi, in the last discussion, we successfully imported the binary file into the emitter and using fs::path file_path = fs->resolve(props.string("filename")); to read the file. Now, we want to generate the array of photons in Python and directly import it into the emitter in the scene we created in Python, like:
'type': 'photon_emitter',
'photon_list': [0.0, 1.0, 0.0, 1.0,2.0,3.0, ... ]
I tried props.get<std::vector<float>>("photon_list"); or props.get<Float>("photon_list"); in the emitter cpp file, but none of them works. It seems there is no direct way for the property to read a float array. Can you give me some suggestions? Thank you for your time.

[njroussel]

Hi @yangocean-sudo

You are correct, this is not supported.

I would suggest looking at the bitmap plugin or the grid plugin. Both can accept a runtime constructed object in their constructor props.
For example the grid (documentation) will accept a VolumeGrid object that is created at runtime. And a VolumeGrid has a special Python constructor that accepts NumPy types. The idea would be to create something similar to a VolumeGrid object. (If you're feeling lazy you can most likely re-use the VolumeGrid object and just treat it as a buffer)

[yangocean-sudo]

It's very helpful. Thanks a lot.