PyNodes opens up the node system in Blender to scripters and adds a number of UI-level improvements.
=== Dynamic node type registration ===
Node types can now be added at runtime, using the RNA registration mechanism from python. This enables addons such as render engines to create a complete user interface with nodes.
Examples of how such nodes can be defined can be found in my personal wiki docs atm [1] and as a script template in release/scripts/templates_py/custom_nodes.py [2].
=== Node group improvements ===
Each node editor now has a tree history of edited node groups, which allows opening and editing nested node groups. The node editor also supports pinning now, so that different spaces can be used to edit different node groups simultaneously. For more ramblings and rationale see (really old) blog post on code.blender.org [3].
The interface of node groups has been overhauled. Sockets of a node group are no longer displayed in columns on either side, but instead special input/output nodes are used to mirror group sockets inside a node tree. This solves the problem of long node lines in groups and allows more adaptable node layout. Internal sockets can be exposed from a group by either connecting to the extension sockets in input/output nodes (shown as empty circle) or by adding sockets from the node property bar in the "Interface" panel. Further details such as the socket name can also be changed there.
[1] http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/User:Phonybone/Python_Nodes
[2] http://projects.blender.org/scm/viewvc.php/trunk/blender/release/scripts/templates_py/custom_nodes.py?view=markup&root=bf-blender
[3] http://code.blender.org/index.php/2012/01/improving-node-group-interface-editing/
Now scrollbars correctly hide and show, making space for the actual contents
in a region. It solves several old hacks, and puts view2d code a bit more
back in control as well.
Implementation notes:
- The view2d mask feature is working again
- The #define V2D_SCROLL_HORIZONTAL_HIDE means: "turn on hiding".
- Code for UI_view2d_region_reinit() is enforcing better standard view settings
But... two hack/patches needed to be added:
- Region panel drawing: if after generating the button panels it appears
a scroller hides or reveils, it calls all the generating code again.
(a simple scale doesn't work due to rounding differences in layout code)
- View2d code that maps 'tot' and 'cur' rects: if this code detects that
the mask changes, it calcs the map code again.
Also a bugfix (issue in 2.65)
- The left/bottom area split widget was drawing 1 pixel too large sometimes,
leaving bad trails on moving area dividers.
Conversion from 2.49 and older files: support for unlimited materials on
objects had an error in conversion.
Effect was that you couldn't re-assign material slots a Material, in case
you were using "link to object" option.
The issue was caused by SEQ_BEGIN macro modifying sequence's depth
which ruined transformation routines. Used own DFS instead which
doesn't modify sequences.
Also corrected some typos in api and comments.
* Remove all code for Texture and Sequencer plugin system, this never worked in 2.5x / 2.6x and is therefore not needed anymore.
* DNA structures are kept, all read/writefile code is gone.
