= Working with nodes =

Many actions in Houdini automatically create nodes in the network, such as using the tools on the [shelf|/shelf]. You can also manually add nodes in the network editor. For example, if you are viewing a geometry network you can create a [Sphere node|Node:sop/sphere] in the network editor pane, and a sphere will appear in the 3D view. See [the tab menu|/basics/tabmenu] for information on using the tab menu to create nodes.

tasks>>
    Navigate around networks:
        - Drag ((MMB)) to pan around.
        - Drag ((RMB)) or use ((mouse_wheel)) to zoom in and out.
        - Double click a node to go inside, or select it and press ((Enter)).
        - With the mouse over the network editor, press ((U)) to go up a level.
        - You can also use the [Icon:BUTTONS/back] Back and [Icon:BUTTONS/forward] Forward buttons in the network editor toolbar to move back and forward through the network history.
        
        See [how to navigate in the network editor|navigate] for more information.
    
    Select a node:
        Click the node in the network view.

    Select multiple nodes:
        * Hold ((Shift)) and click nodes to add them to the selection.

        * Press ((LMB)) in empty space and drag a marquee around the
          nodes you want to select.

    Move a node in the layout area:
        Drag the node.

    Connect nodes together:
        See [wiring nodes|wire].
    
    Rename a node:
        Click the name next to the node to make it editable.

    Delete nodes:
        Select the nodes and press ((Del)).

    Cut, copy, and paste one or more nodes:
        * Select the nodes.
        
        * Right-click a selected node and choose __Cut__,
          __Copy__, or __Paste__.

    Show a context menu of commands related to a node:
        * Press ((RMB)) on the node.

        * You can also press ((RMB)) on the name of a node in the path
          shown at the top of a pane to get that node's context menu.

    Change the display of the network:
        In the network editor, press ((D)) or right-click the background and choose __Viewing controls > Display options__.
        
        Settings you can change include:
            
        - How wires are drawn.
        - Show a grid behind the nodes.
        - Show a background image behind the nodes. This is often useful for characters where you can positions the character's nodes over a schematic image of the character.
        - Show extra links between nodes representing [dependencies|/basics/dependencies].
          
TIP:
    When you delete a node, the network tries to regenerate itself by
    connecting all the descendants of the deleted node to the node's
    first parent.

    You can Delete a node and then insert a new node using ((RMB)) on
    the parent's output to quickly replace a node.

TIP:
    You can copy and paste between multiple running instances of Houdini. To make each running copy of Houdini have a separate clipboard, use the `SESI_COPY_SUFFIX` environment variable.

@related

- [Wiring nodes together|wire]
- [Navigating the node network|navigate]
- [Editing parameters|parms]
- [Node flags|flags]