Node Kit - Blender add-on to manage (save and load) nodes in Node Editor

rkt · June 26, 2019, 3:03am

Did you ever want to share your nodes across all blender files, and feel it is messy to do this in a right way, here is why Node Kit comes in.

Node Kit is a convenient way to manage your nodes in Blender. You can easily save your nodes in a global preset, and then restore it to any object later on even in another blend file opening. You can also export all of your presets into a file and then import this file to another blender running in your other computers. Node Kit will save you a lot of time managing nodes.

Loaded nodes are following mouse cursor

GIF_

This add-on is available on Gumroad and Blender Market:

Features:

Save current nodes into a global preset which can be used in any other opening blend file
Restore any saved global preset into objects
Export presets into a file
Import preset from exported file
Remove preset
Rename preset
Organize presets in folders
Save selected nodes
Works with Blender 2.80 and above
Support animation nodes
Support Geometry Nodes (New!)

How to for animation nodes:

Install the animation nodes add-on from here, https://animation-nodes.com/#download , currently I just testes with the latest version which is v2.2 Blender 3.0.0.

Changelog:

Version 1.9.0:

Fixed cannot add socket to built-in node error for geometry nodes

Version 1.8.0:

Fixed cannot add socket to built-in node errors in latest Blender

Version 1.5.3:

Fixed loaded node groups not sharing the same instance even they have the same node group names in presets

Version 1.5.2:

Fixed presets list are wrong in folder after sorting folder by names

Version 1.5.1:

Sort folders by name

Version 1.5.0:

Save and load Text object in presets for nodes

Version 1.4.9:

Shader Nodes now also supports curve object

Version 1.4.8:

Fixed path can not be changed if there is no NodeKit_Library folder in old path

Version 1.4.7:

Fixed not be able to load presets for Volume object

Version 1.4.6:

Fixed loading geometry nodes exception due to socket default value not correct

Version 1.4.5:

Fixed loading error for geometry nodes dued to material not exist in blend file

Version 1.4.3:

Fixed Ctrl+A conflicts with unused Pie menu shortcut

Version 1.4.2:

Fixed reoute node not work for Animation Nodes
Fixed reroute in Frame position is wrong for Animation Nodes

Version 1.4.1:

Fixed preview not show in Blender 3.0.0

Version 1.4.0:

Fixed geometry nodes not supported for Blender 3.0
Don’t copy NodeKit_Library if it exists in new path while custom nodes path

Version 1.3.15:

Fixed migrate presets error

Version 1.3.14:

Fixed error on starup for Blender 3.0.0 Beta

Version 1.3.12:

Fixed error due to not handle NodeSocketFloatDistance socket type

Version 1.3.11:

Remove node_kit_default_json after successfully migration
Make sorting work well agian after the new update

Version 1.3.10:

Fixed presets conflict by not using presets_list.json in folder

Version 1.3.8:

Fixed world shader nodes can not be loaded due to selected object type

Version 1.3.7:

Fixed not be able to load preset for Metaball

Version 1.3.6:

Fixed not be able to save nodes/node group in another node group

Version 1.3.5:

Save mute attribute for all nodes

Version 1.3.4:

Load preset in correct level of node tree including any levels of node groups

Version 1.3.3:

Fixed socket types are not the same between old version and 3.0 blenders which cause errors
Fixed move preset bug
Make Node Kit compatible with Pie Menu Editor

Version 1.3.2:

Fixed early blender (2.83 to 2.90) NodeSocketInterface*** type not defined error
Save/load texture images for texture node
Fixed key error: ‘image_filename’
Texture will always loaded even if there is image with the same name in blend file
Fixed error while loading old texture nodes
Loaded nodes can move with mouse, left click to end moving
Add a button to load preset into node group

Version 1.3.1:

Add ability to load preset into node group
Fixed error while there is no folders or no preset in a folder
Fixed remove folder not actually remove folder
Fixed rename Folder not actually rename folder

Version 1.3.0:

Use NodeKit_Library folder in home directory to organize presets instead of node_kit_default_json
Add ability to add/remove preview image for selected preset

Screen Shot 2021-08-19 at 3.45.54 PM

Version 1.2.4:

Fixed node groups’s input socket hide value not saving and loading correctly

Version 1.2.3:

Fixed error while importing some types for Blender version before 2.93

Version 1.2.2:

Fixed error while loading old presets which did not save default value of inputs for node group

Version 1.2.1:

Fixed node groups’s default value of inputs not saved

Version 1.2.0:

Support Geometry Nodes

Version 1.1.14:

Fixed input sockets not hidden for nodes if hidden is true

Version 1.1.13:

Fixed socket names reset to default for group output nodes
Fixed switch node label resets to default on preset load
Fixed import animation node error
Fixed: Node object don’t have int attribute for legacy nodes
Fixed: Node position not correct while it’s in a frame
Fixed int, string, group attribute not in Node error

Version 1.1.12:

Fixed Switch Node input sockets not connected error for Animation Node

Version 1.1.11:

Show warning before clear and load preset

Version 1.1.10:

Fixed: Loop subprograms don’t load properly if there are any iterator in inputs
Fixed: Load selected invoke subprogram nodes not link subprograms properly
Fixed: Nested subprogram nodes not load it properly
Fixed: Update preset error
Fixed: Nodes unparented from frame while loading presets in Animation Node
Fixed: Nodes unparented from frame while loading presets in shader nodes

Version 1.1.9:

Fix: Some sockets types not handle correctly for Animation Node

Version 1.1.8:

Fix: Identifier exists twice error for Animation Node
Fix: Invoke subprogram node links broken and subprogram not set correctly for Animation Node

Version 1.1.7:

Fix: A error while loading presets in animation nodes editor

Version 1.1.6:

Load nodes preset at the location of view center in node editor

Version 1.1.5:

Fix: color space name not saved for image texture node after restart Blender

Version 1.1.4:

Fix: Function name may complict with other addons

Version 1.1.3:

Add on preference option to rename add-on tab name in N panel

Version 1.1.2:

Fix: error while setting outputs sockets default value

Version 1.1.1:

Fix: A edge case not to load curve points correctly while saved curve points is less than the default points in some curves

Version 1.1.0:

Fix: Sockets connections broken while there are same socket names in input/output sockets of the same node
Update CurveMapping after setting its value
Fix: Curve points not correct for RGB Curves node and Hue Correct node
Correctly handle extend attribute for RGB Curves for 2.82

Version 1.0.9:

Fix: A error while export from blender 2.8 and import to blender 2.81 and 2.82

Version 1.0.8:

Keep presets after reinstall/re-enable Node Kit

Version 1.0.7:

Redraw Panel after importing presets
Remove deleted preset from 10 last used presets and 10 most used presets

Version 1.0.6:

Align buttons for import/export
Make import/export buttons text shorter

Version 1.0.5:

Align buttons

Version 1.0.4:

Fix: RGB Curve info not stored
Remove the word Preset from buttons

Version 1.0.3:

Fix: Name error while loading presets

Version 1.0.2:

Fix: Name Error while loading presets
Add 3 types of import : Import & Append, Import & Replace and Clear & Import
Also export and import 10 last presets

Version 1.0.1:

UI optimization: Change all Restore words to Load words
UI optimization: Add a proper icon to long text buttons for better distinguishing
Fix: Error while moving preset and if no preset is selected
Move all folder management buttons into a popup menu
Fix: No presets selected error for Clear Nodes And Load Preset and Load Selected Preset
Show 10 last used presets
Show 10 most used presets

Version 1.0.0:

Support animation nodes

Version 0.1.9:

Be able to save only selected nodes

Version 0.1.8:

Fix: Restore preset error for lamp

Version 0.1.7:

Now Correctly handle Color Ramp node with it’s attributes
Node Kit works for lamps as well as meshes

Version 0.1.6:

Fix: Compositor Output File node’s input error

Version 0.1.5:

Confirmed before remove folder, update preset, and remove preset
Be able to reorder presets

Version 0.1.4:

Add a button to update selected preset
Manage presets with folders structures
New export and import for new structure of presets

Version 0.1.3:

Restore preset to the correct node editor while using multi node editor
Add two kinds of restore button, one for clear and restore, one for append preset
Handle image path does not exist exception
Trace min value and max value of inputs
Fix: Script node inputs error
Fix: Value node default value reset to 0.5

Version 0.1.2:

Fix: Image attributes name error

Version 0.1.1:

Restore and render images in nodes

Version 0.1.0:

Don’t clear nodes and links while restore presets
Some minor bug fixes

Version 0.0.9:

Support compositor node group
Minor bugs fixes

Version 0.0.8:

Save and restore minimized nodes
Save and restore label and color of nodes
Support Frame Node
Fixed: Export and import minor bugs

Version 0.0.7:

Support shader node group

Version 0.0.6:

Support world shader nodes

Version 0.0.5:

Fixed: All reroute nodes stick together

Version 0.0.4:

Fixed: A type error while restore presets

Version 0.0.3:

Don’t check active object for Compositor Editor while restore presets

Version 0.0.2:

Support both Compositor nodes and Shader nodes

Version 0.0.1:

Initial release

Development Plan:

✓ Support Geometry Nodes (Done)
✓ Support Compositor Node (Done)
✓ Support Shader Node Group (Done)
✓ Support Compositor Node Group (Done)
✓ Support world shader nodes (Done)
✓ Support Animation Nodes (Done)
✓ Save selected nodes/node groups as preset (Done)
✓ Be able to organize presets in folders (Done)
✓ Keep nodes in the scene while restore presets (Done)
Support more node types reported by users
- This will be a long term development path
- Please report your nodes type which are not supported yet, I will make them work as soon as possible if it’s doable
And more features

pecador · June 26, 2019, 2:21pm

Does this work with animation nodes?

rkt · June 26, 2019, 2:38pm

Currently this add-on does not support animation nodes, but It seems it’s a good idea to support animation nodes later on.

anon72338821 · June 26, 2019, 2:53pm

What is the difference between this addon and the Node2Code addon?

rkt · June 26, 2019, 3:10pm

I just looked into Node2Code, and I think I can say my add-on is different to Node2Code.

First, This add-on just save your nodes into a JSON string and store it in add-on preferences which means is global to other opening blender files.

Later, you can restore the saved JSON string (I call it preset) into any other object with just one simple click.

And the main different between Node Kit and Node2Code is the later will make nodes into another blender addon, and in order to reuse it, you must manually install the generated add-on.

And I feel like Node Kit is an easier way to manage nodes.

hidesai · June 29, 2019, 6:05am

I purchased this.

It is convenient and easy to use.
I think it will be better if you can create a folder to organize materials.

I also want to save composite node.

rkt · June 29, 2019, 6:56am

Thank you very much for the purchase.

By composite nodes, do you mean by node group?

hidesai · June 29, 2019, 12:11pm

No…A node for combining images.

rkt · June 29, 2019, 12:43pm

Got it, it should be working with Compositor Editor in the next update.

You can always check out the Development Plan in the first post.

rkt · July 2, 2019, 5:50am

I have update this add-on to v0.0.2 which work with compositor nodes.

ivobran · July 2, 2019, 6:33pm

Hi! Great work! Can i ask what is the difference between your addon and NodeCustomBuilder addon from Haikalle?

rkt · July 3, 2019, 5:13am

I just looked into NodeCustomBuilder, and my first impression is that my add-on is easier to use and has the ability to export all presets and import them into another computer. And later on, my add-on will also be able to save node groups both for Shader Editor and Compositor Editor, and It’s very welcome to have feedbacks.

rkt · July 3, 2019, 5:23am

BTW, I just saw the FAQ of NodeCustomBuilder, it says:

My presets list is empty.

Sometimes this can happen even when there should be presets. Don’t worry. They are there, but sometimes you need to press refresh list button to update the list.

And this will not happen in Node Kit, because list is automatically refreshed while needed.

hidesai · July 3, 2019, 10:27am

to rkt.
Thank you for supporting compositenode:
I tried to restore and a message appeared and the node was not created.

save nodes

error

rkt · July 3, 2019, 11:06am

hidesai,

Thank you for reporting this bug.

I already know what’s wrong with it, because I assume that one object must be active to restore presets into shader nodes, but this bug brings this assumption into compositor nodes as well, I will make a new patch tomorrow, right now, you can just choose any Mesh object and restore selected preset into compositor editor as a workaround.

rkt · July 4, 2019, 5:14am

The new update fixes this error,

hidesai · July 4, 2019, 7:35am

Thank you for fixing
An error occurs and the node is not reproduced well.
There are no connections.

rkt · July 4, 2019, 7:47am

Can you upload your blend file here for me to debug?

rkt · July 4, 2019, 8:22am

Or I suggest you to remove all of your presets and save them, restore again in the latest version. Because it may be buggy if you save your preset in the previous version and restore in the latest version.

rkt · July 4, 2019, 9:36am

hidesai wrote:

I think it will be better if you can create a folder to organize materials.

I just added this to the development plan, cheers.