Node Editor

The Node Editor is where you create effects using visual programming. Connect nodes to build anything from simple color washes to complex generative patterns.

Interface

Canvas

The main area where nodes live. Pan by scrolling (scroll wheel or trackpad), zoom with a pinch gesture or Cmd + scroll, select nodes by clicking them, or drag on the background to create a selection box.

Effect selector

The toolbar includes an effect selector dropdown that lets you switch between effects, create new effects, or import effects from the library. Open it by clicking the dropdown or pressing Cmd + P.

Toolbar

• Clean Up - Auto-arrange node layout
• Copy - Duplicate the current effect
• Rename - Rename the current effect
• Delete - Delete the current effect (disabled if in use)
• Export - Export the effect to a file

A category dropdown sits next to the toolbar buttons. Use it to assign the current effect to a category (Loop, One-shot, and so on).

Node browser

Access by pressing Shift + A or right-clicking the canvas.

Working with nodes

Adding nodes

1. Right-click on the canvas.
2. Browse categories or search.
3. Click a node to add it.

The node appears at your cursor position.

Selecting nodes

• Click a node to select it
• Shift + Click to add to selection
• Drag a box to select multiple
• Cmd + A to select all

Moving nodes

Drag selected nodes to move them.

Deleting nodes

Select nodes and press Delete or Backspace.

Connections

Making connections

1. Click an output port (right side of node).
2. Drag to an input port (left side of another node).
3. Release to connect.

Or drag from input to output; direction does not matter.

Connection types

Connections are color-coded by data type:

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

Breaking connections

• Click a connection and press Delete
• Drag from a connected input to disconnect
• Right-click a connection and select Delete

Connection validation

You can only connect compatible types. Invalid connections show a warning.

Node types

Input nodes

Provide values to your effect:

• Number - Constant numeric value
• Color - Constant color
• Time - Animated time value
• Pixel Position - Position map coordinates

Processing nodes

Transform values:

• Arithmetic - Add, subtract, multiply, divide
• Color - Color manipulation
• Wave - Oscillators and generators
• Comparison - Logic operations

Output nodes

Send data to fixtures:

• Output - Sets the final color output for the effect

Parameters

When a node is selected, its parameters appear in the Parameters panel. Adjust values with sliders or number inputs. Some parameters can be connected to other nodes, and default values apply when no connection exists.

Keyboard shortcuts

Spectralite-registered shortcuts for the Node Editor:

See Keyboard Shortcuts for the full list.

Standard editing keys (⌘C copy, ⌘V paste, ⌘A select all, Delete / Backspace delete selection, ⌘Z undo) work as usual.

Related pages

• Node Categories - All available nodes
• Connecting Nodes - Detailed connection guide
• Data Types - Understanding data types