Node Graph

The Node Graph displays a node graph in a 2 dimensional view. A node graph is a set of nodes which are connected to form a graph.

Selection

A Node Graph slighly changes some of the Browser controls to make the interaction with nodes more efficient.

Edition

Create a new node (option 1)

1. Create a new node by pressing Ctrl+Space to open the Node Picker, then select the node and press Enter.

Create a new node (option 2)

1. Create a new node by drag and dropping a node from 'Library > Nodes' to the Node Graph.

Create a new node (option 3)

1. Create a new node by ' > Load Node...' in the Node Graph and selecting node using the file dialog.

Create a new macro node

1. Create a new macro node by ' New Macro Node' in the Node Graph.

Create a new frame

1. Create a new frame by ' Next > New Frame' in the Node Graph.

Connect two nodes (option 1)

1. Connect two nodes by holding down on a node output and moving the arrow on a node input, then releasing mouse button.

This option works as well by first selecting the node output, then the node input.

Connect two nodes (option 2)

1. Connect two nodes by holding down Shift before holding down on a node and moving the arrow on a node input, then releasing mouse button.

This option works only if the first node has one single output.

Connect two nodes (option 3)

1. Connect two nodes by holding down Shift then clicking on a node output then on a node input or conversely.

Disconnect two nodes

1. Disconnect two nodes by holding down on then end of a connection, moving it on the background then releasing mouse button.

Insert a node between two connected nodes

1. Insert a node by moving it over the connection between two nodes. It will get inserted/extracted when close/away enough from the connection.

Extract a node between two connected nodes

1. Extract a node by holding down Ctrl then clicking on it.

Material, Light and RenderPass

In a Material, Light or RenderPass node graph you can either collapse or expand nodes, expose and hide nodes inputs.

Collapse a node

1. Collapse a node by clicking on its button or by ' > Collapse' on it.

Expand a node

1. Expand a node by clicking on its button or by ' > Next > Expand' on it.

When the node is expanded a 3d sphere displays the shading value of the network at the particular node location.

Expose a node input

1. Expose a node input by clicking on it or checking 'Properties > Node > Inputs > node name > Exposed'.

An exposed input get colored in blue.

Hide a node input

1. Hide a node input by checking 'Properties > Node > Inputs > node name > Hidden'.

An hidden input won't appear anymore on the node.

In a Material you can shortcut a part of the shading network so you can see the result of the shader at a specific node.

Shortcut nodes

1. Shortcut nodes from a node graph by clicking on its button.

When a node has it's button on, it is equivalent as connecting it to the output of the network.

RenderGraph

In a RenderGraph you can bypass or block a node. This is very useful for troubleshooting RenderGraph networks.

Bypass or block a node

1. Bypass a node by pressing U. When bypassed it behaves as its input would be connected to its output.
2. Block a node by pressing U again. When blocked it behaves as its output would have been disconnected from the next connected node's input.
3. Revert to normal state by pressing U again.

Types

A Material, Light or RenderPass displays document nodes of the following types:

• ShaderNode
• ShaderNodeMacro
• ShaderNodeOutput
• ShaderNodeSL
• ShaderNodeShadow
• ShaderNodeOutputSurface
• ShaderNodeOutputLight
• ...
• ShaderNode*
• RenderLayer

A RenderGraph displays document nodes of the following types:

• RenderGraphNodePath
• RenderGraphNodeTag
• RenderGraphNodeSet
• RenderGraphNodeRenderLayer
• RenderGraphNodeAll
• RenderGraphNodeAttributes
• RenderGraphNodeMaterialOverride
• ...
• RenderGraphNode*

Additional resources