Skip to main content

Dependency Graph

Intro​

The Dependency Graph is a window providing an interactive schematic view or map of the connections within a Composition.

Pro Feature

Starter users can use the Dependency Graph to preview Scenes but interaction is only available to users with a Professional licence. To upgrade, visit cavalry.scenegroup.co.

Anatomy of a Layer​

When viewed in the Dependency Graph a Layer is represented as a block containing a list of attributes. The input and output connection for each attribute is represented by a 'port' with the input on the left and the output on the right.

Nodes are colour coded based on type (int, string, double etc).

Header row​

The header row contains the Layer's icon and inherits its color from the Layer's Label Color.

Clicking the output port will create a connection from the Id (output) connection.

When dropping a connection onto the input port on this row a menu will appear with a list of available Attributes that can be connected to.

UI​

Grid Snapping - When enabled, Layers will snap to the grid when being repositioned.

Clear all - Click to clear all Layers from the layout.

Creating Layers​

To create a Layer in the Dependency Graph:

  • Position the cursor.
  • Hit the Tab key.
  • Scroll or search for a Layer in the popover window.
  • Double click a Layer to create it.

The Layer will appear close to the position of the cursor.

Loading Layers​

Simply drag and drop a Layer from the Scene Tree to the Dependency Graph to map its connections. The Layer dragged is considered the 'root' Layer and any upstream Layers will also be added.

When adding a Layer to the Dependency Graph it, along with related Layers, is positioned and organised within a grid layout.

Double click a Layer or single click with Live Mode enabled to load its UI into the Attribute Editor.

To delete a Layer, select it and hit the Delete key.

Connections​

Create a connection​

To create a connection in the Dependency Graph either:

  • Click an output port from one Layer and then click on the input port of another.
  • Click and drag on the output port from one Layer and then release the mouse on the input port of another.

Note that when clicking the Id row of the input, a list of Attributes for that Layer will appear – select an Attribute from the list to make a connection to.

If a Layer's Attribute is not already exposed then right clicking the output Id port will open a list of available Attributes.

Delete a connection​

To delete a connection either:

  • Select it and then hit the Delete key or;
  • Right click and choose Disconnect.

Attribute Expressions​

Right click a connection to add an Attribute Expression or edit an existing one.

Layout​

Click and drag a Layer to reposition it within the layout.

Scroll to zoom in/out of the view.

Hit F to fit the current graph to the Window.

The layout is saved with the Scene.