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Node finder | Substance 3D Designer

Node finder toolbar

The Node Finder tool lets you perform a search for nodes and variables using a text query. All nodes that do not match the query are dimmed to make the results stick out.

The query can match any of those criteria:

  • An identifier of a graph referenced by an instance node
  • An identifier of an exposed parameter or variable used in a node parameter function
  • A node's UID (unique identifier)
  • A node's label

The search can traverse graph instances recursively so nodes and variables can be found across subgraphs. If you are unsure about the exact term you need to search, a fuzzy search option is available to apply a tolerance to the query.

In this page


Interface

The Node Finder can be accessed in two ways:

In the Graph View, press Ctrl+F (Windows) / Cmd+F (macOS) to display the Node Finder toolbar and automatically set the focus on the query field. This lets you perform a search quickly.

In the Graph View toolbar, click the Node Finder button  to display the Node Finder toolbar. Once displayed, the toolbar is only closed by clicking this button.

Searches traverse graphs. In other words, a search remains active when opening graphs through these actions:

  • Instance node: Open reference in context (Ctrl+E / Cmd+E) (Note: graph editing in context needs to be enabled in Edit > Preferences > Graph)
  • Pixel Processor: Edit function (Ctrl+E / Cmd+E)
  • Value Processor: Edit function (Ctrl+E / Cmd+E)
  • FX-Map: Edit FX-Map graph (Ctrl+E / Cmd+E)
  • Node parameters: Edit function
Node finder: traversing graphs durig search

Search query

Node finder query field

The search terms can be typed into this field and the arrow button opens a list of query suggestions which include some of the variables available in the current context.

Learn more about the queries you can perform in the Search query section below.

Node type

Node type

This combobox lets you filter search results to only retain a specific type of nodes.

Note that all instance nodes are the same type of node – indeed, the 'instance' type – while atomic nodes each are their own type.

Search options

The Search options button  opens a list of settings used for searching that can be toggled on and off.

Learn more about these options in the Search options section below.

Node finder search options


Search query

To find nodes, a text query is matched against the node properties listed below.

Note:

Your query should be typed with the following caveats in mind:

  • Search is not case-sensitive. E.g., 'my node label' and 'My Node Label' return the same results.
  • Whitespaces before and after the query are ignored.
  • Multiple queries cannot be performed at the same time in the same graph. E.g., 'levels blur' will not match both 'Levels' and 'Blur' nodes. Likewise, logical operators are not supported.

Instance graph identifiers

Instance nodes can be found using the identifier of the graphs they reference.

Node finder: searching by graph identifier

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Exposed parameters and variables

The identifier of exposed parameters, or any other variable, can be searched directly.

Node finder: Node variables

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Node UID

Each node in a graph has a unique identifier number (UID) that can be used to search for that node.

Node finder: search by UID

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Node Label

Nodes can also be found using their labels.

Searching for specific nodes is particularly effective when using their exact label with fuzzy search turned off.


Search options

The Search options button  lets you toggle the recursive and fuzzy modes for searching nodes.

Both can be enabled at the same time.

Node finder search options

Recursive mode

Enable this option to have searches traverse graph instances to include results from subgraphs.

This option may be essential when troubleshooting graphs, if you need to find a node by its UID acquired from a warning or error message in the Console.

Node finder: recursive search

The query on the right highlights the instance node below, because its referenced graph on the left has matches for that query

Fuzzy mode

If you are unsure about the exact spelling of a query, this options enables a tolerance in the results.

Note that using this option will likely result in undesired matches.

Node finder: Fuzzy mode

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