Connecting Nodes

Nodes are connected through ports. Data flows from outputs (right side) to inputs (left side).

Making Connections

Basic Connection

1. Click on an output port (right side of a node)
2. Drag toward an input port (left side of another node)
3. Release when the port highlights
4. The connection is made

Reverse Direction

You can also drag from input to output - it works the same way.

Quick Connect

Double-click an output port to:

1. Open the node browser
2. Select a node
3. It's automatically connected

Connection Appearance

Colors

Connections are colored by data type:

• Gray - Number
• Blue - Color
• Purple - Vector
• Green - Boolean

Thickness

Thicker connections indicate more data flow (vectors, colors vs. numbers).

Curves

Connections curve naturally. They route around nodes for clarity.

Managing Connections

Selecting Connections

Click a connection to select it. Selected connections highlight.

Deleting Connections

With a connection selected:

• Press Delete or Backspace
• Or right-click and choose Delete

Rerouting

To change a connection's target:

1. Click the connection near its end
2. Drag to a new port
3. Release to reconnect

Multiple Connections

One Output to Many Inputs

An output can connect to multiple inputs:

• The same value is sent to all connected inputs
• Changes affect all connected nodes

One Input, One Connection

An input can only have one connection. Making a new connection replaces the old one.

Connection Validation

Compatible Types

Connections only work between compatible types:

• Same type always works
• Some automatic conversions exist
• Incompatible connections show a warning

Visual Feedback

When dragging a connection:

• Valid targets highlight green
• Invalid targets show red
• Tooltip explains compatibility

Data Flow

Direction

Data flows left to right:

• Inputs receive data
• Nodes process it
• Outputs send results

Order

Nodes process in dependency order:

• Source nodes first
• Dependent nodes after
• Final outputs last

Cycles

Cycles (loops) are not allowed:

• A node can't connect back to itself
• Even through other nodes
• Spectralite prevents these connections

Tips

Organizing Connections

Keep graphs clean:

• Minimize crossing connections
• Use consistent left-to-right flow
• Group related nodes

Debugging

To verify data flow:

• Check connection colors match expected types
• Verify source nodes are working
• Use preview to see intermediate values

Performance

Connection count doesn't affect performance significantly, but:

• Avoid redundant calculations
• Reuse values where possible
• Keep graphs simple

Common Patterns

Fan Out

One value to multiple destinations:

        ┌─► Node A
Source ─┼─► Node B
        └─► Node C

Merge

Multiple sources to processing:

Source A ─┬
          ├─► Merge Node ─► Output
Source B ─┘

Chain

Sequential processing:

Input ─► Process 1 ─► Process 2 ─► Output

Keyboard Shortcuts

Related

• Data Types - Understanding data types
• Node Editor - The editing environment