# 2D Preview Procedural Textures Inside Nodes **URL:** \ **Category:** Blender Development Discussion\ **Tags:** idea\ **Created:** [February 15, 2019, 2:50pm UTC](https://blenderartists.org/t/2d-preview-procedural-textures-inside-nodes/1147304 "2019-02-15T14:50:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Secrop](https://blenderartists.org/user_avatar/blenderartists.org/secrop/32/20093_2.png) [@Secrop](https://blenderartists.org/u/Secrop)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2019, 9:47pm UTC](https://blenderartists.org/t/2d-preview-procedural-textures-inside-nodes/1147304/21 "2019-02-16T21:47:44Z")
> [@filibis](#): > > In such case we already have Node Wrangler’s 3D preview feature Now you can plug a color/factor directly in the shader/volume output. both will render as emission. Another point here, is that it’s possible for most textures constructions to be rendered in the **material viewport shading** in real time, so there’s no need for waiting all the sampling from cycles. > [@cgCody](#): > > I’d assume the XY plane by default, as this is what UV is mapped to. Then either a separate 3D preview like my example, or the ability to change the display object as in the preview window in the materials panel. The problem remains a bit the same… previews would work good for some nodes, bad for anothers, and meaningless for the rest. What probably could work, is to preview the active object with the down branch applied using the same opengl code from the viewport rendering… 🤔 ---
**Author:** ![ThinkingPolygons](https://blenderartists.org/user_avatar/blenderartists.org/thinkingpolygons/32/514401_2.png) [@ThinkingPolygons](https://blenderartists.org/u/ThinkingPolygons)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2019, 10:04pm UTC](https://blenderartists.org/t/2d-preview-procedural-textures-inside-nodes/1147304/22 "2019-02-16T22:04:29Z")
> [@filibis](#): > > 2D preview of procedural textures inside nodes This reminds me of c4d’s node editor. https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZOsBAhUR5yQ?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&list=PLIqMw1vG1TWbHMLXQZn_y1LxbWTy7A5yj And yes, it would be great to have it in blender. ---
**Author:** ![Ace\_Dragon](https://blenderartists.org/user_avatar/blenderartists.org/ace_dragon/32/1067926_2.png) [@Ace\_Dragon](https://blenderartists.org/u/Ace_Dragon)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2019, 10:12pm UTC](https://blenderartists.org/t/2d-preview-procedural-textures-inside-nodes/1147304/23 "2019-02-16T22:12:05Z")
> [@cgCody](#): > > This is what I was describing. Similar to the look dev preview overlay option, but for nodes: > (Of course with the ability to turn it off as well, like overlays) Being able to optionally see a preview at any point in the tree would satisfy the need for one while keeping the nodes themselves in their current compact form. Perhaps the shader editor could allow the placement of viewer nodes where selecting one brings a large preview of the part of the tree before it, just like in the compositor. ---
**Author:** ![Secrop](https://blenderartists.org/user_avatar/blenderartists.org/secrop/32/20093_2.png) [@Secrop](https://blenderartists.org/u/Secrop)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2019, 10:25pm UTC](https://blenderartists.org/t/2d-preview-procedural-textures-inside-nodes/1147304/24 "2019-02-16T22:25:42Z")
> [@Ace\_Dragon](#): > > Being able to optionally see a preview at any point in the tree would satisfy the need for one while keeping the nodes themselves in their current compact form. Perhaps a simple option in the viewport for rendering only the nodetree’s branch up to the _active node_ could be an option. Simply click in an node and automatically it updates the viewport… This could mantain the node editor in a more compact arrangement, and keep previews were they belong (with the object representation). EDIT: just noticed that this is very similar to Richard Schweiger’s comment in the Facebook Group mentioned by @filibis. ---
**Author:** ![SynaGl0w](https://blenderartists.org/user_avatar/blenderartists.org/synagl0w/32/509462_2.png) [@SynaGl0w](https://blenderartists.org/u/SynaGl0w)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2019, 10:47pm UTC](https://blenderartists.org/t/2d-preview-procedural-textures-inside-nodes/1147304/25 "2019-02-16T22:47:38Z")
I like that idea. Something like an o-scope probe that you connect to a link or socket. When connected overrides the material output to show what’s at the probe. An efficient way to use such a tool would be a modal one where you hold down a key to activate the probe and while hovering over a socket or link it shows the output. Let off the key and it deactivates the probe. A second key while active and the probe stays at whatever socket or link it’s hovering over. Press that second keybind to toggle it on/off or the first keybind to reset the probe. A prototype of this type of tool might be possible to make as an addon, by managing a temp probe material and some trickery. ---
**Author:** ![Jojo\_3000](https://blenderartists.org/user_avatar/blenderartists.org/jojo_3000/32/1301608_2.png) [@Jojo\_3000](https://blenderartists.org/u/Jojo_3000)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2024, 10:13am UTC](https://blenderartists.org/t/2d-preview-procedural-textures-inside-nodes/1147304/26 "2024-09-29T10:13:20Z")
Hello everyone, this is excactly what i was looking for ! It’s old but do you know if something like this exist today ? Addon or something ? Thx in advance ---
**Author:** ![gorion103](https://blenderartists.org/user_avatar/blenderartists.org/gorion103/32/1443290_2.png) [@gorion103](https://blenderartists.org/u/gorion103)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2024, 11:33am UTC](https://blenderartists.org/t/2d-preview-procedural-textures-inside-nodes/1147304/27 "2024-09-29T11:33:32Z")
There is addon [https://blendermarket.com/products/node-preview](https://blendermarket.com/products/node-preview) ## and native implementation is in [development builds](https://builder.blender.org/download/daily/) (eg. alpha or beta builds) in experimental setting ![2024.09.29.13.32.15_blender_eniPpQKXxE](https://blenderartists.org/uploads/default/original/4X/d/3/8/d383362e5e713152263eea83ac5e03b576e1380d.jpeg) [https://projects.blender.org/blender/blender/issues/110353](https://projects.blender.org/blender/blender/issues/110353) ---
**Author:** ![Jojo\_3000](https://blenderartists.org/user_avatar/blenderartists.org/jojo_3000/32/1301608_2.png) [@Jojo\_3000](https://blenderartists.org/u/Jojo_3000)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2024, 11:37am UTC](https://blenderartists.org/t/2d-preview-procedural-textures-inside-nodes/1147304/28 "2024-09-29T11:37:57Z")
THX, sounds useful ! Both proposals seem suitable for shading, do you think it works for geometry node too? ---
**Author:** ![gorion103](https://blenderartists.org/user_avatar/blenderartists.org/gorion103/32/1443290_2.png) [@gorion103](https://blenderartists.org/u/gorion103)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2024, 12:16pm UTC](https://blenderartists.org/t/2d-preview-procedural-textures-inside-nodes/1147304/29 "2024-09-29T12:16:02Z")
> [@Jojo\_3000](#): > > do you think it works for geometry node too? No that makes less sense for GN usecases. Since You work on discrete mesh/instances/curve/points and not on surface. ![2024.09.29.14.12.32_blender_mCcBsm0qhb](https://blenderartists.org/uploads/default/original/4X/b/b/c/bbc85bae827ddfb0f90a8ac071d42f730f04fcf7.jpeg) Its generally better to visualize it on geometry. ---
**Author:** ![Vladimir\_Pospelov](https://blenderartists.org/user_avatar/blenderartists.org/vladimir_pospelov/32/1408891_2.png) [@Vladimir\_Pospelov](https://blenderartists.org/u/Vladimir_Pospelov)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 2:34pm UTC](https://blenderartists.org/t/2d-preview-procedural-textures-inside-nodes/1147304/30 "2026-02-18T14:34:56Z")
![image](https://blenderartists.org/uploads/default/original/4X/b/6/c/b6c32f0acc8d00316571132b77b995860ed17c9e.png) How do I enable the developer preview nodes? I don’t have one. This is version 5.1 beta. ---
**Author:** ![gorion103](https://blenderartists.org/user_avatar/blenderartists.org/gorion103/32/1443290_2.png) [@gorion103](https://blenderartists.org/u/gorion103)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 5:37am UTC](https://blenderartists.org/t/2d-preview-procedural-textures-inside-nodes/1147304/31 "2026-02-19T05:37:39Z")
> [@Vladimir\_Pospelov](#): > > This is version 5.1 beta. It is now(?) only in **alpha** builds. ![2026.02.19.06.31.52_blender_XP5uihQOmm](https://blenderartists.org/uploads/default/original/4X/c/a/7/ca781ca7c3adfcd1ba8399761b283bad8af199f7.jpeg) ![2026.02.19.06.37.28_firefox_TK5d534JrS](https://blenderartists.org/uploads/default/original/4X/4/f/8/4f878c16d48619bfbec36f3d9208e41fcfed56d7.png) or any build with `WITH_EXPERIMENTAL_FEATURES` flag ![2026.02.19.06.33.22_cmake-gui_9zehBcoT6P](https://blenderartists.org/uploads/default/original/4X/8/9/a/89acea213b11146c2832cc60fa6edaa290ab4fe9.png) [Previous page](https://blenderartists.org/t/2d-preview-procedural-textures-inside-nodes/1147304.md?page=1)