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Node Shape Creator HDA

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The Node Shape Creator makes it easy to design custom node shapes in Houdini. Credit to Simon Fiedler and Bastian Schiffer for doing the initial exploration years ago.

Table of Contents

Overview

Custom node shapes can make your networks more interesting and visually distinct. This tool helps you: - Design custom shapes visually - Test with different wire configurations - Export directly to Houdini's format - Analyze existing node shapes

Getting Started

  1. Access via: OBJ/SOP Tab Menu → Node Weaver → Custom Node Shape Creator
  2. When first opened, the interface provides:
  3. Examples of 3 distinct approaches to making shapes that generate a node network for study
  4. Shape selection parameters After shapes have been selected the interface also provides:
  5. Node shape information
  6. Visualization options
  7. A real-time preview (as a 3D model)
  8. Shape modification options
  9. Export options

Features

Example Networks

  • Built-in examples show different approaches to shape creation
  • Each example includes:
  • A subnet showing the technique
  • A sticky note explaining unique features of that technique

Shape Definition

  • Input geometry must have at least 5 polygon primitives (main shape and 4 flags)
  • These primitives define the core shape definitions

Visualization Options

Style Settings

  • Four different color palettes representing different Houdini contexts
  • Helps visualize how shape will look in different situations
  • No effect on final output

Node Appearance

  • Toggle different node flags to preview appearance
  • Customize node color for visualization
  • Preview with custom icons (load PNG files)
  • No effect on final output

Wire Preview

  • Toggle wire visualization
  • Helps verify wire curvature before export
  • Shows connections with varying numbers of inputs/outputs

Node Shape Configuration

Basic Settings

  • Set node shape name (defines output filename)
  • Configure shape dimensions and positioning
  • Apply transformations and adjustments

Wire Settings

  • Adjust input wire curvature
  • Configure output wire curvature
  • Set wire connection points
  • Preview wire behavior with different numbers of connections

Node Shape Guidelines

Shape Creation

  • Node shapes require 5 polygon primitives for shape definition
  • Shapes ideally exist inside the 0-1 space in X and Y
  • Center on the 0.5x0.15 point (center of standard nodes)
  • Tool will transform coordinates automatically
  • Some settings allow working outside standard space if needed

Default Node Stats

For consistency with Houdini's default nodes, consider these measurements: - Most common node size: 1 × 0.3 units - Most common icon size: 0.24 × 0.24 units - Input vertical range: -0.2 to -0.09 units - Output vertical range: 0.38 to 0.51 units - Median input/output position: -0.09 × 0.38 units - Circle node: 0.57 × 0.57 units with 0.21 × 0.21 icon

Wire Handling

  • Input and output curves can be non-centered
  • Centered curves recommended for:
  • Clean wire connections
  • Proper node alignment with layout tools (hold "A")
  • Wire curvature can be adjusted:
  • Settings under "Input Settings > Wire Curvature"
  • Settings under "Output Settings > Wire Curvature"
  • Affects aesthetic appearance of connections

File Management

Save Locations

Node shapes can be saved in several locations:

  1. User Preferences (Recommended for Personal Use) 
    $HOUDINI_USER_PREF_DIR/config/NodeShapes
  2. Best for individual use

  3. Remember to transfer to new preferences folder when updating Houdini

  4. Package Directory (Recommended for Distribution) 

    $NAMEOFPACKAGEPATH/config/NodeShapes

  5. Used by Node Weaver itself

  6. Best for package distribution

  7. Houdini Installation (Not Recommended) 

    C:/Program Files/Side Effects Software/Houdini XX.X.XXX/houdini/config/NodeShapes

  8. Contains default Houdini shapes
  9. Not recommended for custom shapes
  10. Highlighting this folder for study vs to save there

Troubleshooting

File Export Issues

  • Verify write permissions in target directory
  • Check correct path structure (/config/NodeShapes/)
  • Ensure valid node shape name
  • Restart Houdini after adding new shapes if clicking "Reload Node Shape Palette" doesn't work

Need Help?

If you encounter issues: 1. Try restarting Houdini 2. Check existing issues 3. Open a new issue