This image is an example of a more complex graph made in Nodebox, it highlights some of the organizational difficulties posed by the program’s automatic pipe layout algorithm.
NODEBOX DISPLAY MULTIPLE GEOMETERIES SOFTWARE
Parameters can be set in a similar way, allowing users to create custom tools similar to other software packages. Custom input sockets can be created and passed through to the nodes within the network. Multiple nodes can be selected in the graph and grouped into what Nodebox refers to as a “network” through the right click menu. Nodebox does contain the usual system of grouping nodes that is present in other software packages. Each item in a node’s properties is always exposed as a socket on the top of each node in the graph. Nodebox’s properties panel allows users to manage a node’s controls and add custom property values. Nodebox also does not contain any type of backdrop for organizing nodes within the graph. Because pipes are laid out by the program automatically, the only way to change the organization of the graph is to move the nodes around, usually by spacing them out. While Nodebox’s graph is not laid out automatically, it also contains no pipe elbows to allow users to change the direction and placement of pipes in the graph. The white triangle along the bottom right side denotes which node in the graph is currently being displayed in the viewer pane. Each node has an icon and a unique identifier. Each node is assigned a colour based on the data type that it outputs. When these tooltips are hovered over the name of the corresponding parameter in the properties panel is conveyed to the user with a tooltip.
A single output port is located in the bottom left corner. Nodebox’s nodes have colour-coded input sockets referred to as “ports” which are located on the top edge of each node. Anatomy of a Nodebox NodeĮach node in Nodebox is set to the same fixed size, contains an identifying icon, and a unique identifying name that can be changed by the user. Each node in Nodebox represents an action that generates or manipulates data. Nodebox places emphasis on creating generative and data-driven graphics.
Nodebox is an open source vector graphics program that (as the name might suggest) uses nodes as its primary method of generating images.