Graphics

I love working with visual logic. I think the whole idea behind it is bloody brilliant. I have a suggestion though for how it could be even better.

See, I strive very hard to keep all my logic trees nice and tidy, but sometimes a need arises wherein, despite my best efforts, I end up with Node Spaghetti, with cris-crossing functionalities and or's and and's everywhere.

So, I was thinking... how cool would it be if when one clicks on a node, the nodes and paths to which is has relationships highlight or change color in some way. This would surely help when trying to see what's what in a complex tree, and would benefit both the original designer, and even more so, anyone who comes behind that designer and needs to change, or add functionality. I've attached an image of this 'node spaghetti' from one of my current scenes, although I have seen worse, I think you can see how the implementation of this suggestion would be very helpful in sussing out everything going on here.

Cheers
- Willie

I agree with this. It would be awesome to have a group node that contains a lot of the sub-functions used in a VL system. Kind of like whats in 3d programs like blender and unreal.
#XPression

Since a recent training upgrade, I have tried to use scripting when possible because of the way it runs compared to VL. But, I agree with this. Maybe you could put a group note together, then "nest" it so that it is represented by an icon. Click on the icon and reveal the group.
#XPression

Yeah.. I group node thing might be a cool way to handle it, although probably more difficult to execute from a development standpoint. I was honestly just thinking about having the paths connected to a selected node going yellow with the connect nodes getting a yellow outline. They already go gray if logic is copied and there is a node missing in the destination, so I figure the framework is already there.

I hear you on the scripting thing, Mal, and it is still something I want to learn, but I will say that with VL, results are immediate and much easier to trouble shoot. Now what WOULD be cool is a VL compiler, so that one could use VL to build something best suited for a script, and then convert the VL directly into a script, having it apply directly to the objects necessary. There'd still be a need to write script to deal with situations and parameters which VL can't, but for the vast majority of areas for which there is overlap, a VL compiler would be a godsend, best of both worlds kind of situation.
#XPression

I believe the VL compiler idea could be feasible for Ross since thats basically how VL functions on Dashboard. I personally wish that VL could eventually replace scripting for the most part since it'll be a lot easier for people to understand if they have no experience with code, but I know this will never completely be the case because there is always going to be a need for supplementary code.
#XPression

VL compiler and plugins tools to define our own nodes would be great.
This will allow everyone to write their own operators (latetly people has request for square root, or webcolor conversion for example) .



#XPression

You know what else would be cool? You know how we have little symbols (M, S, P, K, etc) to denote the presence of Material, Scripts, Published, Keyframe respectively? How about having an L for when an item is tied to VL? Bonus points if double clicking the L takes you to to the location of it's node
#XPression