Quick Start Guide¶

Get up and running with Nodo in 30 minutes. This guide walks you through creating your first procedural 3D model using node-based workflows.

What You'll Learn¶

• Navigate the Nodo interface
• Create and connect nodes
• Adjust parameters
• Use the viewport controls
• Export your geometry

Your First Model: A Simple Tower¶

Let's create a procedural tower using basic nodes. This tutorial introduces core concepts while building something interesting.

Step 1: Create a Base¶

Add a Box Node¶

1. Open the Node Library panel (left side of the screen)
2. Expand the Generator category
3. Click Box to add it to the graph
4. The box appears in both the viewport and node graph

Adjust the Base Dimensions¶

1. Select the Box node in the node graph (click it)
2. The Property Panel appears on the right
3. Under the Size category, set:
4. Size X: 2.0
5. Size Y: 0.5 (shorter in Y for a platform)
6. Size Z: 2.0

You should now see a flat platform in the viewport!

Step 2: Add a Cylinder for the Tower¶

Create a Cylinder¶

1. From Node Library → Generator, click Cylinder
2. A new cylinder appears in the viewport

Position It Above the Base¶

1. Select the Cylinder node
2. In the Node Library, find Modifier → Transform and click it
3. A Transform node appears in the graph

Connect the Nodes¶

1. Click and drag from the Cylinder's output pin (right side)
2. Drop on the Transform's input pin (left side)
3. A connection line appears

Move the Cylinder Up¶

1. Select the Transform node
2. In the Property Panel, under Transform:
3. Translate Y: 2.0 (moves it up)
4. The cylinder now sits above the base!

Step 3: Combine the Pieces¶

Add a Merge Node¶

1. From Node Library → Boolean, click Merge
2. This node combines multiple geometries

Connect Both Pieces¶

1. Drag from the Box output to Merge input 0
2. Drag from the Transform output to Merge input 1

The viewport now shows both pieces together!

Step 4: Add Detail with an Array¶

Create Pillars Around the Tower¶

1. Select the Cylinder node (before Transform)
2. Add an Array node (from Array category)
3. Insert it between Cylinder and Transform:
4. Remove the Cylinder → Transform connection (right-click → Delete Connection)
5. Connect: Cylinder → Array → Transform

Configure the Array¶

1. Select the Array node
2. In the Property Panel:
3. Type: Select Radial from dropdown
4. Count: 6 (creates 6 copies)
5. Radius: 2.5 (distance from center)

Now you have 6 pillars arranged in a circle!

Adjust Pillar Size¶

1. Select the Cylinder node
2. Adjust parameters:
3. Radius: 0.15 (thinner pillars)
4. Height: 3.0 (taller)

Step 5: Add a Roof¶

Create a Cone¶

1. Add another Cylinder node
2. In its Property Panel:
3. Primitive Type: Cone
4. Radius Bottom: 2.5
5. Radius Top: 0.1
6. Height: 1.5

Position It on Top¶

1. Add a Transform node
2. Connect: Cone Cylinder → Transform
3. Set Translate Y: 4.5

Add to the Merge¶

1. Connect the roof's Transform → Merge
2. Your tower is complete!

Step 6: Explore the Viewport¶

Navigation Controls¶

Viewport Toolbar¶

At the top of the viewport:

• ● Vertices - Show/hide points
• ─ Edges - Show/hide edges
• ↑V Vertex Normals - Display normal arrows
• ↑F Face Normals - Display face normal arrows
• # Point Numbers - Number each vertex
• ⊕ Grid - Toggle ground grid

Camera Controls¶

• 🎥 Reset Camera - Default view
• 📐 Fit View - Frame all geometry

Step 7: Using Parameters¶

Expression-Driven Design¶

Parameters can use expressions instead of fixed values!

1. Select the Array node
2. Click the ≡ button next to the Count parameter
3. The button changes to # and a text field appears
4. Enter: 8
5. The parameter field turns blue when the expression is valid

Simple Math¶

Try these in any parameter (click ≡ first to enable expression mode):

• 2 + 2 → 4
• sin(45) * 2 → Sine of 45 degrees × 2
• max(5, 10) → 10

Step 8: Export Your Model¶

Save Your Work¶

1. File → Save Scene
2. Choose a location, name it my_tower.nfg
3. The .nfg format saves your entire node graph

Export Geometry¶

1. Add an Export node (from IO category)
2. Connect the Merge → Export
3. Select the Export node
4. In Property Panel:
5. File Path: Choose where to save (e.g., tower.obj)
6. Format: Select OBJ, STL, or PLY
7. The geometry is exported!

Next Steps¶

Congratulations! You've created your first procedural model. Here's what to explore next:

Learn More Nodes¶

• Boolean - Combine shapes (Union, Subtract, Intersect)
• Scatter - Distribute points across surfaces
• Copy to Points - Instance geometry at point locations
• Extrude - Add depth to geometry
• Subdivide - Smooth surfaces

See the Node Reference for all 44 nodes.

Explore Expressions¶

Learn about the powerful expression system:

• Graph Parameters - Reusable parameters
• Expression Syntax - Full language reference
• Math Functions - Available functions

Tutorial Workflows¶

Follow step-by-step tutorials:

• Architectural Column - Classical architecture
• Procedural Patterns - Geometric patterns
• Game Assets - Optimized models

Common Questions¶

How do I delete a node?¶

Select it and press Del or Backspace.

How do I duplicate a node?¶

Select it and press Ctrl+D.

How do I disconnect nodes?¶

Right-click a connection and choose Delete Connection, or single-click to select and press Del.

My geometry disappeared!¶

• Check if the node has a red error indicator
• Ensure all required inputs are connected
• Check parameter values (e.g., radius > 0)

How do I undo changes?¶

Press Ctrl+Z. Redo with Ctrl+Shift+Z.

Can I copy parameters between nodes?¶

Yes! Right-click a parameter → Copy Value, then paste in another node's parameter.

Interface Reference¶

Node Graph (Center)¶

• Left-click drag - Pan the graph
• Scroll wheel - Zoom in/out
• Left-click node - Select
• Drag from pin - Create connection
• Right-click - Context menu

Property Panel (Right)¶

• Shows parameters for selected node
• Organized by category (collapsible)
• Blue parameters = expression mode
• Hover for tooltips

Viewport (Center, 3D View)¶

• Shows your geometry in real-time
• Updates automatically when parameters change
• Multiple shading modes (wireframe, solid, shaded)

Node Library (Left)¶

• All available nodes, organized by category
• Generator - Create geometry from scratch
• Modifier - Change existing geometry
• Array - Duplicate and distribute
• Boolean - Combine geometries
• Attribute - Manage data
• Group - Selection and masking
• Utility - Helper nodes

Tips for Success¶

What Makes Nodo Powerful?¶

Non-Destructive¶

Every operation is a node. Change any parameter at any time without starting over.

Procedural¶

Tweak early parameters and everything downstream updates automatically.

Flexible¶

Mix and match nodes in infinite combinations. No "correct" way to build.

Expression-Driven¶

Use math to drive parameters. Create responsive, intelligent models.

Ready to Build?¶

You now know the basics! Open Nodo and start creating. The best way to learn is by experimenting.

Remember: There's no wrong way to explore. Every node graph is an experiment.

Happy modeling! 🎨

Need Help?¶

• Keyboard Shortcuts - Full reference
• Node Reference - All 44 nodes documented
• FAQ - Common questions answered
• Tutorials - Step-by-step workflows