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  • Published 24 Apr 2025

Allow node creation while keeping the add node menu open

When adding a node in any node editor via navigation, it would save time to be able to add nodes without leaving the current menu location.

For example, in geometry nodes, if the user navigates to Add > Mesh > Primitive, they could, for example, use "middle mouse click" to add in a cube, keep the menu open at the same "Add > Mesh > Primitive" location, and continue to middle mouse click on other primitives without having to re-navigate to that location each time.

For an example of this functionality, Google Chrome lets the user keep their bookmark dropdown menu open and opens the desired website in a new tab via middle mouse clicking, and closes the menu with a left click input.

example.png

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Development Status: Open

Upvote 5 Downvote 0
bob6
24 Apr 2025

7 Comments

kalpit

use pie menu editor addon, it allow you to do that. not just pie menu but also any list/menu. you can choose between either to keep window open or just close instantly on clicking.

even you can customize list items as well. you can design any menu you want.

1
bob6 Author

This suggestion is for built-in functionality, not using a paid addon.

al6

there are so many nodes in geo node. pie manu will eat whole screen

al6

While the idea of adding multiple nodes from the same sub-menu location without re-navigation has its appeal, keeping the 'Add Node' menu persistently open in the node editor could introduce significant workflow drawbacks.

Currently, the typical flow involves adding a node and then immediately connecting it to other nodes to build the desired logic. A continuously open menu would likely interfere with this crucial next step:

  1. Disruption to Connection Workflow: The primary action after adding a node is often making connections. A large menu covering a portion of the workspace would obstruct the view and make it more cumbersome to select other nodes and draw connections efficiently.
  2. Reduced Workspace Visibility: The node editor workspace can become complex, especially with larger node trees. A fixed menu occupying screen space would reduce the visible area available for arranging and working with nodes, potentially requiring more panning and zooming.
  3. Added Interaction to Dismiss: With the current system, the menu closes automatically after a selection, allowing for immediate continuation of the workflow. If the menu remained open, an extra step, such as a right-click, would be needed every time to dismiss it and regain full access to the workspace for making connections or other manipulations.

Therefore, while the proposed method aims to speed up adding multiple nodes from the same category, the subsequent steps of connecting and organizing nodes, which are integral to the node-based workflow, could be significantly slowed down and made less intuitive due to the persistent menu obstructing the workspace and requiring extra dismissal actions.

bob6 Author

I should be clear, what I'm proposing changes nothing for anyone who likes how it currently works.

Only by middle mouse clicking can a node be added while the menu stays open, and moving the mouse off the menu screen space or left/right clicking will close the menu just like the current implementation. There would be no "persistent menu."

There would also be no disruption to a connection-based workflow as you described and no extra dismissal actions, just the option to quickly add in multiple nodes (index+pos+sample index for example) for those who'd like it.

I do ask if you downvoted to kindly reconsider to at least a neutral stance as the suggestion is quite different from what you described, owing likely in part to my lack of clarity in the original post.

al6

Got it. Downvoate removed.

kalpit

there should be a choice when user click with shift then the menu should remains open