Components

Nodes in the editor are constructed using components. Components serve as the node's constructors and contain essential information for node creation. These components can include various attributes such as a node's name, color, options, controls, and description.

Nodes are built based on parameters defined in the components. Each platform has specific components used to create its platform nodes. You can find a list of all components related to your platform here.

Initialization Process

When the editor starts, it sends HTTP requests to fetch the list of platform components. The list of received components is then extended with default components. The components then wait for plugins to finish their initialization, as plugins may modify these components. For example, the Custom Outputs plugin may add custom outputs to these components.

Extending Component Data

After the initial conversion, additional rules and extensions are applied to the components to ensure they function properly. The final list of components is then registered with the editor. The editor uses the registered components to create nodes. Thus, components are transformed into nodes through various processes within the editor.

Usage Beyond Node Creation

Components can also be utilized by other plugins after the initial process. For example, the Context Menu and Node Picker plugins are using them to generate comprehensive lists of available nodes.

Advantages of Using Components

The primary reason for using components instead of directly setting nodes is that components are easier to understand and faster to process. They include more details than nodes alone, enhancing the efficiency of various editor processes.