= Connecting (wiring) nodes together =

#bestbet: connect wire noodle link

== Overview ==

Connections between nodes have different meanings in different network
types.

* In Object (OBJ) networks, the connections control parenting (connect
  child objects to the outputs of parent objects).

* In particle (POPs), geometry (SOPs), and compositing (COPs) networks,
  connections control the flow of geometry data through the network.

* In render output (ROPs) networks, connections control dependencies
  between render passes (connect later renders to the outputs of
  prerequisite renders).

== How to ==

TIP:
    You can hold ((Space)) and pan and zoom the network view while connecting, if you need to bring the node you're connecting to into view.

tasks>>
    Connect existing nodes:
        # Click the input/output connector of a node.

        # Click another node, or click in empty space to cancel the connection.
        
        [Anim:/images/ui/wiring.gif]
        
        TIP:
            You can also press ((Alt + LMB)) on a node to start the connection. This is useful in large networks where you may be zoomed out, making the nodes appear smaller.
        
    Manage connections:
        * Right-click a wire to see a menu of operations you can perform
          on the wire.
    
    Delete a connection:
        * Click the connection's _input_, then click in empty space in
          the layout area.
          
          or
          
        * Right-click the wire and choose __Disconnect__.

    Branch an already-connected output to another input:
        # Click an output that is already connected to something.

        # Click the additional input.

    Create a new node and connect it to an input:
        # Press ((RMB)) on the input box of a node.

        # A menu pops up showing the nodes that can be connected
          here. Choose an node.

        # Click to create a node and connect it automatically.

    Create a new node and insert it in the output stream:
        # Press ((RMB)) on the output box of a node.

        # A menu pops up showing the nodes that can be connected
          here. Choose an node.

        # Click to create a node and connect it automatically.

    Create a new node and branch it off the output stream:
        # Press ((MMB)) on the output box of a node.

        # A menu pops up showing the nodes that can be connected
          here. Choose an node to create a node and branch it
          automatically.
          
    Connect multiple node outputs at once to a single input:
        This is useful when you want to connect a bunch of nodes to a Merge
        node.
        
        # Select the nodes whose outputs you want to wire.
        
        # Click the output of one of the selected nodes and then
          click the input of the destination node.
          
          Houdini wires the outputs of all the selected nodes to
          the input of the destination node.

    Get help on an input:
        * Press ((MMB)) on the input box of a node. Houdini shows a
          short description of what kind of input is expected.

== Reordering inputs ==
          
Many nodes let you connect multiple nodes to their input, and the order
of the inputs is sometimes significant (for example, Render nodes
(ROPs) render their inputs in order).

To reorder the inputs, use the controls on the input list in the
parameter editor.

# Select the node in the network pane.

# In the parameter editor, scroll down to the bottom of the panel.
  For nodes with multiple inputs there will be a list of inputs.

  [Image:/images/ui/node_inputorder.png]

# Drag and drop the inputs in the list or click the up-arrow icons
  to reorder them.

@related

- [Network editor basics|basics]
- [Navigating networks|navigate]