In many cases, scripts or graphs require start values to work. These defaults are then modified by the user to get different results. The input is done via a customizable user interface – something that has only been possible with scripts so far. In RealFlow 2014 you will now find appropriate nodes to allow user interfaces with graphs as well. These interface nodes have a direct connection to the “Add” window's “Input parameters” section. This means that you can edit the graph's default values here without opening and editing the graph itself.
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| Please bear in mind that currently only graphs are connected to the three “Edit ...” buttons of this section and Python user interfaces are not yet supported. |
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In RealFlow 2014 you will find some new graph nodes allowing you to create user interfaces with input parameters. The parameters of such an interface will be pushed to the “Commands Manager”. There it is possible to change them without having to touch the graph itself. All changes made in the “Edit input parameters” dialogue will be added to the graph again.
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Please download the "MessageGraph.rfg" here. It is used in the following descriptions: MessageGraph.rfg |
Edit input parameters [n]
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Commands Manager > Add > Add new Graphgraph from file
Edit graph
From the editor load the downloaded file with “Open...”
Confirm with “OK”
Now, click on the “Edit input parameters [3]” button. There you will see three entries. “Parameter Name” is simply the name of the input field, while “Parameter Type” is of greater importance: with custom user interfaces it is always necessary to determine which type of value RealFlow has to expect. Is it an integer, a vector, or a string, to name but a few. When you double-click on one of the types a drop-down menu appears showing all valid data types.
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A click on this button finds all nodes with “orphan” pins. Once RealFlow has detected such a pin you can check it in the appearing list and connect it with new interface nodes automatically. The new interface node's parameter will be shown in the parameter list where you can define a name and specify the parameter type.
OK/Cancel
Confirm your settings with “OK”, or abort the process with “Cancel”.
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Currently, there are interfaces and nodes to print the values to the “Messages” window, but which values? Where are they and how are the default values defined at all? The answer is this button. When you click on it, the graph is analysed and all input parameters are listed in a separate window. There you can enter the values you want to use when the graph/command is executed for the first time.
The graphs default values. When the graph is execute for the first time, these values will be printed to the "Messages" window.
Copy to next execution values
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String = Hello!
Integer = 5
Real = 23.514
Change the values, check "Copy to next execution values", and execute the graph:
String = Hello RealFlow users!
Integer = 5
Real = 32.145
The values are printed to the “Messages” window and now when you launch the graph again. This time you will not see the default values, but the ones you have entered before:
String = Hello RealFlow users!
Integer = 5
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Copy to default values
As you can see from the example above, RealFlow remembers your settings and uses them as new, temporary defaults. For simulations this is of particular importance, because once you have found working settings you are satisfied with, check “Copy to default values” to add them to the graph permanently: when you open RealFlow the next time you will see these new settings instead of the original values.
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