Opens the node type menu to let you add a new node to the current network.

Opens a file browser to let you choose a file, then creates a File node to import that file.

Adds a box to the current network. Any selected nodes are automatically added to the box. You can use boxes to visually group nodes and move them together.

Adds a sticky note to the current network. You can use notes to annotate nodes or parts of the network.

Adds a background image to the current network. You can use images to annotate nodes or parts of the network.

Creates a new node bundle from the selected nodes.

Creates a new node group from the selected nodes.

Selects all items in the current network.

Copies the selected item(s) to the clipboard and removes them from the network.

Copies the selected item(s) to the clipboard.

Pastes any items on the clipboard into the current network.

Removes any selected items, but does not delete network boxes that are not empty.

Removes any selected items, including network boxes that are not empty.

Opens a window that lets you find nodes matching various criteria.

Selects the next node from the list that matched in the Find dialog.

Selects the previous node from the list that matched in the Find dialog.

Opens a window that lets you perform prefix and suffix changes on the names of the selected nodes.

Disconnects any inputs to the selected node(s).

Disconnects any outputs from the selected node(s).

Disconnect any inputs and/or outputs from the selected node(s).

Rewires any inputs and outputs of the selected node(s) into each other, causing them to bypass the node(s).

Rotates the order of the inputs into the selected node. This may be useful with a multi-input where the wires are crossing.

Add any animated parameters on the selected node(s) to the channel list.

Delete any keyframe animation on the selected node(s).

Creates nested channel groups on the node parameters that are keyed or are automatically added to the channel list. If you have organized the parameters of the object into tabs, Houdini will create nested channel groups corresponding to the organization of the parameters.

Moves the selected nodes inside a newly created subnet node.

In a material network, takes the selected “loose” VOPs and creates a new Material VOP node with them inside.

Shows any nodes that have been hidden. Nodes can become hidden from collapsing network branches or by turning on their “hide” flag.

Goes to the scene level (/obj).

Goes to the default materials network (/mat).

Goes to the default CHOPs network (/ch)

Goes to the default compositing network (/img).

Goes to the default render node network (/out).

Goes the parent of the current network.

Goes to the network inside the selected node (for example, the geometry network inside a Geometry node).

Move the selection upstream.

Move the selection downstream.

Move the selection to the previous node connected to the same upstream node.

Move the selection to the next node connected to the same upstream node.

The items in this menu allow you to assign the current network to a number key. Then pressing that key will jump the network back to that location.

This is very useful when you're bouncing between a few different networks constantly, for example a source geometry network, dynamics network, and render network.

The items in this menu allow you to recall a network location assigned to a quickmark.

Jumps to the previously viewed network location. Pressing this key repeatedly bounces you back and forth between the last two locations.

Increases the magnification of the network editor, making nodes appear bigger.

Decrease the magnification of the network editor, making nodes appear smaller.

Tracks and zooms the network view to show the selected node(s).

Toggles showing the node type above the name (for nodes where the type is not obvious from the name).

Toggles showing custom node shapes. If this is off, all nodes use the default rectangle shape.

Toggles global show/hide of node previews in networks that support them (for example, compositing networks). This overrides show/hide preview on individual nodes.

Toggles showing the task graph view of TOP nodes.

Opens the Task Graph Display Options window for customizing the appearance of the task graph network editor view.

Dependency links let you visualize channel references between nodes. See dependencies for more information.

For nodes that have networks inside, also show the dependencies of their child nodes.

Cycles the network through the available wire drawing methods.

Toggles visualizing data from the performance monitor in the network.

This submenu lets you choose which data from the performance monitor to visualize when Show Performance Data is on.

Toggles the display of messages at the bottom of the network view explaining the current mode and what you can do.

Opens a display options window allowing you to customize the network editor view.

Toggles between showing nodes in the network editor as a graph or a list.

Shows or hides an embedded parameter editor in the corner of the network view.

Shows or hides an embedded parameter editor in the corner of the network view only when the network editor pane is maximized.

Shows or hides an embedded network tree view beside the network view.

Shows or hides an embedded node group list above the network view.

Shows or hides a list of available node types you can drag into the network.

The network overview shows a schematic view of the entire network. You can click and drag around the overview to move the view window.

You can change the grid spacing in the display options.

Toggles grid snapping on or off in the network editor.

The color and shape palettes let you assign custom colors and shapes to nodes to make them easier to distinguish in the network.

Enters a mode where you can move, resize, link, and delete background images in the network editor.

Toggles automatic alignment of new nodes with existing nodes.

Toggles the ability to drop a node onto an existing wire. You can temporarily switch this setting by holding the 8 key.

Toggles whether to move existing nodes out of the way when you add a new node.

Automatically repositions all nodes in the network.

This will completely replace any organization you might have set up in the network. You might want to make smaller-scale local changes using the alignment tools below instead.

Automatically repositions the selected nodes.

Reposition the selected nodes upstream (for vertical networks) or sibling nodes above (for horizontal networks).

Reposition the selected nodes downstream (for vertical networks) or sibling nodes below (for horizontal networks).

Reposition the selected sibling nodes to the left (for vertical networks) or upstream nodes (for horizontal networks).

Reposition the selected sibling nodes to the right (for vertical networks) or downstream nodes (for vertical networks).

Align the selected nodes horizontally

Align the selected nodes vertically

Distribute the selected nodes horizontally

Distribute the selected nodes vertically

Minimizes the selected sticky notes and network boxes

Minimizes sticky notes and network boxes, moving connected outputs

Maximizes the selected sticky notes and network boxes

Maximizes sticky notes and network boxes, moving connected outputs

Snaps a network box’s borders to its minimum bounding box

Space out the selected nodes vertically

Space out the selected nodes horizontally

Correct VOP Node positions for use in the new network editor

Go inside the selected node (if it is a network container).

For compositing nodes, this generates a flipbook animation of the node’s output.

For object and geometry nodes, shows the node’s output geometry in a floating window.

For geometry nodes, opens a window showing the geometry and attribute data. This is very useful for understanding what a node is doing. For dynamics nodes, shows geometry, attributes, and relationships.

Opens the info window for the selected node. This is the same as clicking the info button in the node ring or holding on the node.

Opens a window showing all external references to and from the selected node’s parameters.

Opens a window with a editor for the node’s comment string. This is the same as editing the comment in the info window.

This submenu contains items for exporting the node’s data somewhere else.

For CHOP nodes, sets the exporter scope for the selected node.

For CHOP nodes, adds to the exporter scope for the selected node.

The items in this submenu relate to node inputs.

The items in this submenu relate to node outputs.

The items in this submenu let you load this object node into character tool panes.

Opens the help page for the selected node.

Creates a new asset type from the selected node.

Unlocks the selected asset node and allows editing the network inside.

Saves any changes and re-locks the selected unlocked asset node.

Saves any changes but leaves the selected asset node unlocked.

Opens a window showing any unsaved differences between the saved asset definition and the selected unlocked node.

The textual “diff” can be hard to read but should give a rough idea of what’s changed.

Opens the asset manager window and jumps to the asset type of to the selected node.

Opens a window that lets you (attempt to) change the selected node to a different node type. This creates a new node of the new type and copies over any parameters with the same name.

This might be useful for updating nodes to new versions.

Opens the selected asset node’s type in the type properties editor.