---
name: "SoSphere"
section: "3iv"
platform: "linux"
package: "inventor-doc"
version: "2.1.6+ds-2"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/SoSphere/3iv"
---

# SoSphere(3iv)

sphere shape node

## NAME

SoSphere — sphere shape node

## INHERITS FROM

SoBase \> SoFieldContainer \> SoNode \> SoShape \> SoSphere

## SYNOPSIS

**#include \<Inventor/nodes/SoSphere.h\>**

Fields from class SoSphere:

**SoSFFloat**	**radius**

Methods from class SoSphere:

	**SoSphere()**\
 **static SoType**	**getClassTypeId()**

Methods from class SoNode:

**void**	**setOverride(SbBool state)**\
 **SbBool**	**isOverride() const**\
 **SoNode \***	**copy(SbBool copyConnections = FALSE) const**\
 **virtual SbBool**	**affectsState() const**\
 **static SoNode \***	**getByName(const SbName &name)**\
 **static int**	**getByName(const SbName &name, SoNodeList &list)**

Methods from class SoFieldContainer:

**void**	**setToDefaults()**\
 **SbBool**	**hasDefaultValues() const**\
 **SbBool**	**fieldsAreEqual(const SoFieldContainer \*fc) const**\
 **void**	**copyFieldValues(const SoFieldContainer \*fc, SbBool copyConnections = FALSE)**\
 **SbBool**	**set(const char \*fieldDataString)**\
 **void**	**get(SbString &fieldDataString)**\
 **virtual int**	**getFields(SoFieldList &resultList) const**\
 **virtual SoField \***	**getField(const SbName &fieldName) const**\
 **SbBool**	**getFieldName(const SoField \*field, SbName &fieldName) const**\
 **SbBool**	**isNotifyEnabled() const**\
 **SbBool**	**enableNotify(SbBool flag)**

Methods from class SoBase:

**void**	**ref()**\
 **void**	**unref() const**\
 **void**	**unrefNoDelete() const**\
 **void**	**touch()**\
 **virtual SoType**	**getTypeId() const**\
 **SbBool**	**isOfType(SoType type) const**\
 **virtual void**	**setName(const SbName &name)**\
 **virtual SbName**	**getName() const**

## DESCRIPTION

**This node represents a sphere. By default, the sphere is centered at the origin and has a radius of 1. The sphere is transformed by the current cumulative transformation and is drawn with the current lighting** **model, drawing style, material, and geometric complexity.**

**A sphere does not have faces or parts. Therefore, the sphere ignores material and normal bindings, using the first material for the entire sphere** **and using its own normals. When a texture is applied to a sphere, the texture covers the entire surface, wrapping counterclockwise from the back of the sphere. The texture has a seam at the back on the** **yz-plane.**

## FIELDS

**SoSFFloat**	**radius**\
 Radius of sphere. This must be greater than 0.

## METHODS

	**SoSphere()**\
 Creates a sphere node with default settings.

**static SoType**	**getClassTypeId()**\
 Returns type identifier for this class.

## ACTION BEHAVIOR

**SoGLRenderAction**\
 Draws sphere based on the current coordinates, materials, drawing style, and so on.

**SoRayPickAction**\
 Intersects the ray with the sphere. No details are created for intersections.

**SoGetBoundingBoxAction**\
 Computes the bounding box that encloses the sphere.

**SoCallbackAction**\
 If any triangle callbacks are registered with the action, they will be invoked for each successive triangle that approximates the sphere.

## FILE FORMAT/DEFAULTS

```
Sphere {
radius	1
}
```

## SEE ALSO

**SoCone, SoCube, SoCylinder**