Logic Gadgets: Node

 

Icon
Name of gadget	Node
Section	Logic & Processing
Number of Tweak pages	1
Author	LadylexUK, QuietlyWrong
Last updated	15 June 2019 [v.1.04 EA]

Description

This gadget is used to tidy up your logic. The gadget actually does nothing other than pass a signal through itself. It can however create ports which will allow you to make a microchip work more like a single reusable gadget rather than a collection of hard-wired logic.

By making consistent use of node colours, custom icons and useful names, you can make your own logic much easier to review and understand, both for yourself and crucially for any DreamShapers you share it with.

Example Tutorial (adapted from Media Molecule)

1. Place a microchip
2. Open the microchip add a node to the left side (node 1), and another to the right side (node 2). They become input and output ports.
3. Add a calculator to the chip.
4. Connect node1 output to input A on the calculator
5. Select greater than in the calculator
6. Change input B to 0.5
7. Connect the result output to the input of node 2
8. Close the microchip.
9. Notice the microchip now has input and output ports.
10. Stamp a Value slider and connect it to the input port
11. Add a light
12. Connect the output port on your microchip to the power port on the light
13. Drag the slider and notice the light goes on when the number is greater than 0.5

Tweak Menus

Node Colour 1a. Input 1b. Output Custom Icon Create Port Input/Output 4a. Input 4b. Output Is Input Wired 5b. Output Power

1. Node Colour
   You can choose a colour for the node here.
2. Custom Icon
   As well as colour you can change the icon.
3. Create Port
   This setting is only relevant when the node is snapped to a canvas, i.e. on a timeline or a microchip. When a node is on a canvas, it creates a mini version on the left or right hand edge of the canvas that will remain visible on the gadget even when the canvas is closed. Whether it appears on the left (input) edge or the right (output) edge depends on this setting:
   • No Port
   • Input Port
   • Output Port

   Note that the ‘port’ settings only affect the appearance of ports on a microchip (or timeline) canvas. The node itself still has input and output. Also, when you place a new node on a canvas, this setting will automatically default to either ‘Input Port’ or ‘Output Port’ depending on whether you place it towards the left or the right side of the canvas respectively.

4. Input/Output
   These are the main input and outputs of the node, through which the relevant signal is passed
5. Is Input Wired
   This output can provide a true (1) or false (0) signal depending on whether the node’s input port (input 4a.) is connected to something else. This may be useful in situations where the input’s source is subject to being destroyed.
6. Power
   This is where you turn the gadget on/off. The simplest way to selectively stop or allow a signal is to wire it through a node and then control the node’s power.

Lex Tips

Useful Tutorials

Beginners Guide to Nodes

Latest Update

15.6.19 Added Tutorial link