Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- private:nodemeister2018:introduction [2018/04/17 12:08] – lightwolf
+++ nodemeister2018:introduction [2019/03/06 14:41] (current) – [Caveats when using Global Node Graphs] lightwolf
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== Introduction ======
-nodeMeister allows you to create global node graphs in Layout that can be referenced in other node graphs using via a node.
+"one node graph to rule them all"
-<-acknowledgements|^|^features|->
+{{ :nodemeister2018:nodalflow_800px.png?nolink |}}
+nodeMeister allows you to create global node graphs in Layout that can be referenced in other node graphs using a node. Effectively this acts a lot like a native compound node, except that the contained graph is shared.
+Often parts of a node graph need to be reused in another graph. This could be a set of procedurals driving a displacement as well as instances or a complex nodal motion applied to multiple items.
+Without nodeMeister, those parts of the node graph need to be copied and pasted to the other graph manually. Any change to these parts will require a copy and paste again.
+With nodeMeister, you can create a a single node graph that can be used multiple times, via a single node, in other node graphs. Changes to the nodeMeister graph will propagate via the node.
+Since the nodeMeister graphs can also create a user interface on the nodeMeister node, you can create a library of node graphs to reuse across scenes or even projects.
+{{ youtube>XgCEmgV5OUA?large&rel=0 }}
+===== Global vs. Local Node Graphs =====
+nodeMeister allows you to use two different types of node graphs, global and local ones.
+Global Node Graphs may be shared by different nodeMeister nodes and are saved in the scene file.
+Local Node Graphs are only used by the nodeMeister node they belong to and are saved with the node only.
+==== Caveats when using Global Node Graphs ====
+Due to their shared nature, there are a few things to keep in mind when using Global Node Graphs in nodeMeister.
+  * If you load a [[nodemeister2018:node_plugin|]] using a Global Node Graph into a scene that contains that Global Node Graph already, only the node settings will be loaded. The existing, Global Node Graph will not change.
+  * If you load a [[nodemeister2018:node_plugin|]] using a Global Node Graph into a scene that **does not** contain that Global Node Graph already, the node will create the Global Node Graph from a backup stored in the node.
+  * If you wish to replace the Global Node Graph, you need to save/load it in the [[nodemeister2018:master_plugin|]].
+===== Glossary of terms =====
+To make the documentation a bit easier to understand, the following terminology will be used:
+  * **nodeMeister Graph** \\ This is a node graph hosted by the nodeMeister plugin. It can be used via the nodeMeister node.
+  * **context** \\ The context of where a node graph is run, determining which capabilities it has.
+<-acknowledgements|^|^history|->