= Network |> organization =

== Ignoring nodes ==

Several node types, including [surface nodes|/nodes/sop], [particle nodes|/nodes/pop], [dynamics nodes|/nodes/dop], [compositing nodes|/nodes/cop2], and [channel nodes|/nodes/chop], have a [Icon:NODEFLAGS/bypass] _bypass flag_ that turns the effect of the node off, effectively passing its input directly through to its output. This lets you temporarily turn off expensive operations, flip back and forth to see the effect of a node, and try out variations.

In surface networks, the bypass flag is the yellow flag at the left end of the node. When a node is bypassed, it has a striped background to make it more visually apparent.

[Image:images/bypass_flag.png]

See [node flags|flags] for more information. See [troubleshooting|tshoot] for more information about visual node state indicators.

== Node colors ==

[Image:images/nodecolors.png]

You can color the nodes in the network editor. This lets you annotate different areas, functions, and/or classes of nodes in the view using color. For example, in a shading network you could color all the lighting model VOPs yellow to make them easier to find at a glance.

# Press ((C)) to show the color palette.
# Select the node(s) you want to color.
# Click a color in the palette.
# Press ((C)) again to hide the palette.

== Network boxes ==

[Image:images/netbox.png]

Network boxes let you group nodes together visually. This is useful when you can't or don't want to collapse the nodes into a subnetwork but you want to distinguish them from other nodes. For example you could group the nodes representing different limbs of a character rig in different boxes.

tasks>>
    Create a network box:
        # Select the nodes you want inside the new box.

        # Press ((RMB)) on the network background and choose
          __Viewing Controls > Create Network Box from Selected__.

    Add or remove a node to/from a network box:
        * Drag the node onto or out of the box.

    Move or resize a network box:
        * To move a network box, drag the bar across the top. To resize
          it, drag from one of the corners.

    Remove a network box:
        * Click the X button at the top right of the box.

    Collapse a box to a stamp:
        * Click the left button at the top right of the box.

    Assign colors to network boxes:
        # Press ((C)) in the network editor to show the palette.

        # Select the network box you want to color.

        # Click a color in the color palette.

== Subnetworks ==

Subnetworks let you encapsulate multiple nodes inside a single node, streamlining your network visually and conceptually. Note that putting nodes inside a subnetwork changes their path.

The subnetwork node can have up to four inputs, which are passed down to special nodes inside the subnetwork.

tasks>>
    Create an empty subnet:
        * Use the [tab menu|/basics/tabmenu] to create a `Subnetwork` node.
    
    Create a subnetwork from existing nodes:
        # Select the nodes you want to go inside the new subnet.

        # Right click one of the nodes and choose __Collapse Selected into Subnet__.

    Move one or more nodes inside a subnetwork:
        # Select the node(s) and choose __Edit > Cut__.
        
        # [Go inside|navigate] the subnetwork and choose __Edit > Paste__.

    Connect the subnet's inputs to node inputs inside the subnet:
        # Go inside the subnet.

        # The layout view shows four pseudo-nodes which represent the
          subnet's inputs. Connect the output of one of the pseudo-nodes
          to the input of one of the real nodes in the subnet.

    Choose the subnet's output:
        * Set the  [display flag|/nodes/sop] of the node you want to provide
          the subnet's output.

    Label the subnet's inputs:
        # View the subnet's parameters in the  [parameter
          editor|/ref/panes/parms] and click the Subnet tab.

        # Edit the __Subnet Input #__ text fields to control the message
          that pops up when the user presses ((MMB)) on the inputs.

== Node comments ==

tasks>>
    Edit a node's comment field:
        # Select the node in the network editor.
        
        # In the parameter editor, click the [Icon:BUTTONS/gear] Gear menu and choose __Edit comments__.
        
        # Type a comment into the text field and click __Accept__.
        
    Display a node's comment:
        In the network editor, hold ((MMB)) on the node.

@related

- [Organizing the scene|/basics/organize]