Complex nodes: best practices?

Question

This is an excellent course.

The most difficult/frustrating part of working with a complex node setup is keeping track of the flow/noodle contents. There doesn't seem to be a way to label them.

Putting nodes in frames helps a tiny bit, in some cases. Using groups instead of frames helps a lot more, but interferes with conveniently using the Viewer.

Any type of solution/workaround for this would greatly increase usability. I don't know if it is envisioned for the future. Are there any good tricks I'm unaware of?

Answer 1 · 2022-09-29T17:54:56Z

Martin Bergwerf replied September 29, 2022 5:54pm

Solution

Apart from the Frames and Groups, there is a little known feature; you can't label Noodles, but you can label Reroutes:

Not sure if that is what you mean, but it can definitely be helpful in organizing your Node Trees.

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Answer 2 · 2022-09-29T18:02:01Z

Martin Bergwerf replied September 29, 2022 6:02pm

You can also add an empty Frame and write something in there (even use a text file, if the Label is too short):

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Answer 3 · 2022-09-29T19:57:44Z

replied September 29, 2022 7:57pm

Thanks. Labeled reroute is basically what I was looking for. I have never seen it mentioned.

Answer 4 · 2022-09-29T20:08:30Z

Omar Domenech replied September 29, 2022 8:08pm

People also write notes in grease pencil strokes on the nodes interface.

29 at 4.05.08 PM.png

1 love

Answer 5 · 2022-09-29T21:44:23Z

Jonathan Lampel replied September 29, 2022 9:44pm

Those are all my favorite tips! The only other one I sometimes use is F2 to re-label any node and occasionally I'll set a custom color to make an important node stand out.

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