> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://www.blenderguppy.com/add-ons/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://www.blenderguppy.com/add-ons/random-flow/functions/random-tubes.md).
# Random Tubes
**Random Tubes** creates randomized pipes/tubes pattern from edges or edges in selected faces. The resulting object is curve type you can use [Flanges/Couplings](/add-ons/random-flow/functions/utility/flanges-couplings.md) on like [Random Cables](/add-ons/random-flow/functions/random-cables.md) before turning it to mesh.
Figure 1
Here are the redo properties and what they do:
### Mode
This has 2 options: **Face** and **Edge**. **Face** will use all the edges in the face selection when generating the random tubes.
Figure 2
**Edge** will use only the selected edges when randomizing the tubes allowing for more control on the resulting pattern.
Figure 3
### Path
This has 3 options: **None**, **Shortest** and **Longest**. **None** will have no effect on the way the tubes are randomized, **Shortest** will favor the shortest edges in the face selection more when generating the tubes and **Longest** will favor the longest edges more in randomization.
Figure 4
{% hint style="info" %}
*This will have no effect if the edges in the selected faces have the same lengths.*
{% endhint %}
### Amount
The number of tubes that can be generated.
Figure 5
### Align
This has 2 properties: **Segments** and **Angle**. **Segments** determines the number of straight segments a tube can have before trying to turn. **Angle** determines the edge angle to consider for a particular edge to be a tube segment used for a turn.
Figure 6
{% hint style="info" %}
*The segments property is not strict and the tubes can still turn without meeting the assigned number when there is no choice but to turn.*
{% endhint %}
### Length
This determines the minimum and maximum edge segment the tubes can have.
Figure 7
{% hint style="info" %}
*This works differently than other min/max properties since the minimum removes existing tubes instead based on the number of their edge segments.*
{% endhint %}
### Seed
This randomizes the tube pattern using a seed number.
Figure 8
### Subdivision
This has 2 properties: Cuts and Smooth. Cuts lets you increase the level of subdivision of the selected faces allowing for more pipes to be generated because of the increased resolution. Smooth will apply a smoothing effect on the subdivision.
Figure 9
### Margin
Creates a margin on the selected faces.
Figure 10
{% hint style="info" %}
*This does not work if the selection is the entire mesh.*
{% endhint %}
### Offset
This lets you set the minimum and maximum height or offset of the tube body from the source mesh when randomized.
Figure 11
The **Uniform Offset** toggle lets you use a single property to set the height or offset instead.
Figure 12
### Offset Seed
This lets you randomize the min/max offset of the tubes using a seed number.
Figure 13
### Cut Method
This has 2 options: **Wrap** and **Split**. **Wrap** will let the tubes wrap around sharp edges while **Split** will split the faces in these areas so the tubes cannot wrap around to the next face which you can use to avoid spiking errors.
Figure 14
### Cut Angle
The angle threshold for an edge to be considered for splitting using the **Cut Method: Split**.
### Curve
This has 2 properties: **Depth** and **Resolution**. **Depth** determines the thickness of the tubes.
Figure 15
**Resolution** lets you set the resolution of the tube body making it rounder with higher values.
Figure 16
### Bevel Offset
This bevels sharp angled vertices using a minimum and maximum value.
Figure 17
You can use the **Uniform Bevel** toggle to use a single property to bevel these vertices instead.
Figure 18
### Bvl Seg/Angle
This has 2 properties: Segment and Angle. Segments determines the resolution of the bevel and Angle lets you determine which vertices are beveled based on an angle threshold.
Figure 19
### Bevel Seed
This lets you randomize the bevel effect for each qualified vert using a seed number.
Figure 20
### Tri Mode
This has 2 options: **Percent** and **Number**. **Percent** lets you use a percentage based property to control the **Triangulation** property while **Number** lets you use an integer instead.
Figure 21
### Triangulation
The amount of faces to be triangulated in the face selection.
Figure 22
### Material Index
The **Material Index** property lets the resulting cloth sim mesh inherit a material from the active or work mesh.
The default value of -1 means it will use the active material in the work mesh if that material exists.
Using 0 and above means you will be using the 1st material in the material stack when using 0, the 2nd material when using 1 and so forth.
{% hint style="info" %}
*Using a material stack number when that material does not exist will assign no material to the resulting panel cut mesh.*
{% endhint %}
### Use Mirror
Symmetrize the randomization result using the source mesh's mirror modifier or use an applied version of the source mesh for an asymmetrical result instead.
Figure 23
### Limit Body
This makes the tubes avoid crossing over on an edge that's already set as another tube's body.
Figure 24
### Use Fallback
Disabling this will allow for a cleaner pattern but lesser number of tubes.
Figure 25
### Shade Smooth
Shade smoothes the faces or the body of the tubes.
