Geo Nodes Viewer

Functionality

The node generates object with given mesh and applies given Geometry Nodes modifier. The use case of this node is to create efficient viewers with help of Geometry Nodes. Currently it can replace more than tens of nodes which generate mesh, curves or instances (see Examples section).

Note

Usually add-on developers use Blender Python API to generate different types of data blocks. But for the last several years Geometry Nodes became much more powerful than Blender API mean while the API remained unchanged. So instead of hardcoding and improving existing viewers it’s a logical step to delegate this to users. Using this node is much more efficient and flexible than existing users except Mesh Viewer because they share the same code to generate objects.

When a Geometry Nodes node group is assigned to the node it generates extra sockets for each extra input of the node group. If the generated sockets are not connected they pass single value otherwise they pass a field of values if possible. The domain of field can be selected by a property drawn on a connected socket (only for Vertices, Values and Colors). If, after assigning a node group, its input sockets were changed the node input sockets can be updated by a button drawn near the name of the tree.

Important

Important thing to remember is that only real data is vertices, edges and faces. Everything else is just attributes of this elements or single values. It means if you want to pass certain amount of data it should be controlled by number of vertices, edges or faces. You can’t create an object by the node and copy it into certain position because number of passed positions is limited either by the number of vertices or edges or faces. See the Examples the way of how to achieve this.

The node adds Geometry Nodes modifier to generated geometry. It’s possible to add more modifiers to the object. But if the name of modifier will be changed the node wont be able to distinguish it and will create a new one.

Category

Viz -> Geo Nodes Viewer

Inputs

• Verts

• Edges

• Faces

• arbitrary inputs

Parameters

Live Update

The node only works when the option is on.

Show Objects

Similar to Hide in Viewport option in the Outliner.

Select Objects

To make objects selectable.

Render Objects

Similar to Disable in Renders option in th Outliner.

Base Data Name

Base name for generated objects.

Modifier

Geometry Nodes modifier to assign to generated objects

Fast Mesh Update

It tries to update mesh in fast way. It can’t update mesh properly in some conner cases. So it should be disabled.

Buttons

Random Name

Generate random for Base Data Name property

Select

Select generated objects

Bake

When node is deleted it is deleted with generated mesh. Use bake button to save the output of the node. It will generate copy of objects disconnected of the node. The same can be done with Bake All operator.

Add new Geometry Nodes tree (shown when tree is not chosen)

It asks name of a tree and create instance of Geometry Nodes tree.

Update Node Sockets (shown if there is GN tree)

It generates or removes node input sockets according to input sockets of the Geometry Nodes node group. Should be called when the node group inputs were changed.

Note

Update socket is optional step. If node input sockets does not match to GN tree inputs they will be just ignored. So it’s possible add extra inputs to GN tree and all nodes which already use the tree will continue to work even if new inputs are not presented in the inputs of the nodes.

Edit Geometry Nodes Tree (shown if there is GN tree)

Switches current Sverchok tree editor to Geometry Nodes editor to edit the tree of the node. You can use Tab button similar to how to edit group nodes.

Note

When you finished with editing of Geometry Nodes tree you can return back to Sverchok by pressing dedicated button in right top corner of the tree editor.

Outputs

• Objects

Examples

Using the node as a Mesh Viewer

Recreating logic of current Curve Viewer node

Polyline viewer. Extra properties can be added in GN tree optionally.

Typography Viewer.

Skin Masher Viewer.

The Geometry Node group of Skin Masher Viewer also can be used for generating Metaballs. It does not generate exectly metaballs but the result looks close.

Bezier and NURBS Curve Out Viewers.

NURBS Surface Out Viewer.

Object Instancer node. Unlink original node Geo Nodes Viewer does not generate extra objects and all meshes are generated in single object. This is much more efficient approach.

Dupli Instanser node.