user: How do I use Inputs in Blender? Include parameters, examples, warnings and best practices.

assistant: Geometry
:   The input geometry containing the hair curves to deform into braids.

Factor
:   Controls how strongly the braiding effect is applied.
    A value of 0.0 leaves the hair unchanged, while 1.0 applies the full braid deformation.

Subdivision
:   The number of subdivisions applied to curves before deformation.
    Higher values allow smoother braids at the cost of performance.

Braid Start
:   Controls where along each curve the braid effect begins, measured from the root.
    Lower values start the braid closer to the root, higher values leave more unbraided length.

Radius
:   The overall radius of the braid.
    Larger values create a thicker braid by moving the strands farther from the braid center.

Shape
:   Adjusts the radius profile along each curve.
    This can be used to taper or vary the braid width from root to tip.

Frequency
:   Controls how quickly the curves twist around the center of the braid.
    Higher values create tighter, more frequent wrapping.
    This input can vary per point along a curve, allowing twists to tighten or loosen along the length.

### Shape Parameters

Factor Min
:   Minimum radius factor for the braid cross-section.
    This determines how close strands can get to the braid center.

Factor Max
:   Maximum radius factor for the braid cross-section.
    This determines how far strands can move outward from the center.

Thickness
:   The thickness of each strand of hair within the braid.

Thickness Shape
:   Adjusts how strand thickness changes along the length of the braid.

Shape Asymmetry
:   Introduces asymmetry in the strand shaping.
    This breaks perfect radial uniformity, helping the braid feel more organic.

Flare Length
:   The length of the flare at the end of the braid, where the strands loosen or fan out.

Flare Opening
:   The radius of that flare at the tip of the braid.
    Higher values create a wider, more open flare.

### Hair Tie

Hair Tie Input Type
:   Defines how the hair tie object (e.g. a band or wrap) is provided for instancing.

    Object:
    :   Use an object reference for the hair tie instance.

    Geometry:
    :   Use a geometry input directly.

Hair Tie
:   The object or geometry used as the hair tie to cap or bind the end of the braid.

Scale
:   The scale of the hair tie instance.

### Guide Map

Guide Index
:   A map that specifies which curve should act as the central “guide” for each braid group.
    If provided, this overrides any existing `guide_curve_index` attribute,
    and the *Guide Distance* and *Guide Mask* inputs are ignored.

Guide Distance
:   The minimum spacing between selected guides when automatically generating a guide map.
    Larger values result in fewer guides, forming larger braid groups.

Guide Mask
:   A mask that determines which curves are allowed to be considered as guides.

Existing Guide Map
:   When enabled, use an existing guide map attribute (for example,
    `guide_curve_index`) if it is already present.
    If this is disabled and *Guide Index* is not provided, a new
    [guide map](create_guide_index_map.html)
    is generated using *Guide Distance* and *Guide Mask*.
    Creating the guide map ahead of time, in a separate node or modifier,
    gives more precise control over which curves act as braid guides.