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Connections & Flow

Master the art of connecting nodes to create complex, flowing animation sequences. Learn about different connection types, flow control, and advanced connection techniques.

🔗 Understanding Connections​

Connections are the lines that link nodes together, defining the flow of execution in your animation graph. They determine the order and timing of animations.

Connection Types​

Execution Connections​

Control the flow of execution between nodes.

[Trigger] ──→ [Animation] ──→ [Wait] ──→ [Effect]

Properties:

  • Source Node - Node that triggers the connection
  • Target Node - Node that receives the trigger
  • Connection Type - Execution, Data, or Event
  • Priority - Execution priority

Data Connections​

Pass data between nodes.

[Timer] ──→ [Condition] ──→ [Animation]
   │           │
   └─ Duration ─┘

Properties:

  • Data Type - Type of data being passed
  • Data Value - Actual data value
  • Validation - Data validation rules
  • Conversion - Automatic type conversion

Event Connections​

Send events between nodes.

[Button] ──→ [Event] ──→ [Animation]
   │           │
   └─ Click Event ─┘

Properties:

  • Event Type - Type of event
  • Event Data - Event payload
  • Target - Event target
  • Priority - Event priority

🎯 Creating Connections​

Basic Connection​

  1. Hover over a node's output port
  2. Click and drag to another node's input port
  3. Release to create the connection
  4. Verify the connection is valid

Connection Validation​

The system automatically validates connections:

  • Type Compatibility - Ensures compatible data types
  • Node Compatibility - Ensures nodes can work together
  • Circular Dependencies - Prevents infinite loops
  • Required Parameters - Ensures all required data is provided

Connection Properties​

Right-click on a connection to access properties:

  • Connection Type - Change connection type
  • Data Mapping - Map data between nodes
  • Condition - Add execution conditions
  • Delay - Add execution delay

🌊 Flow Control​

Sequential Flow​

Execute nodes one after another.

[Start] ──→ [Animation 1] ──→ [Animation 2] ──→ [Animation 3]

Use Cases:

  • Step-by-step sequences
  • Ordered animations
  • Sequential effects
  • Choreographed movements

Parallel Flow​

Execute multiple nodes simultaneously.

[Start] ──→ [Animation 1]
    │
    └──→ [Animation 2]
    │
    └──→ [Animation 3]

Use Cases:

  • Simultaneous animations
  • Complex effects
  • Multi-object animations
  • Synchronized sequences

Conditional Flow​

Execute different paths based on conditions.

[Start] ──→ [Condition] ──→ [Animation A]
    │           │
    └─── False ─┴──→ [Animation B]

Use Cases:

  • Branching logic
  • State-based animations
  • Conditional effects
  • Dynamic behavior

Loop Flow​

Repeat sequences of animations.

[Start] ──→ [Animation] ──→ [Wait] ──→ [Loop] ──→ [Animation]
    │                                    │
    └─────────── Loop Back ──────────────┘

Use Cases:

  • Repeating animations
  • Idle animations
  • Continuous effects
  • Pattern sequences

🎨 Advanced Connection Techniques​

Connection Splitting​

Split a single connection to multiple targets.

[Trigger] ──→ [Animation 1]
    │
    └──→ [Animation 2]
    │
    └──→ [Animation 3]

How to Create:

  1. Create the first connection
  2. Right-click on the connection
  3. Select "Split Connection"
  4. Drag to additional targets

Connection Merging​

Merge multiple connections into one.

[Trigger 1] ──→ [Animation]
[Trigger 2] ──→ [Animation]
[Trigger 3] ──→ [Animation]

How to Create:

  1. Create multiple connections to the same target
  2. Right-click on the target node
  3. Select "Merge Connections"
  4. Configure merge behavior

Connection Filtering​

Filter connections based on conditions.

[Trigger] ──→ [Filter] ──→ [Animation]
    │           │
    └─ Condition ─┘

Filter Types:

  • Value Filter - Filter by data value
  • Type Filter - Filter by data type
  • Time Filter - Filter by timing
  • Custom Filter - User-defined filter

Connection Delays​

Add delays to connections.

[Trigger] ──→ [Delay] ──→ [Animation]
    │           │
    └─ 0.5s ────┘

Delay Types:

  • Fixed Delay - Constant delay time
  • Random Delay - Random delay range
  • Conditional Delay - Delay based on condition
  • Dynamic Delay - Delay based on data

🔄 Data Flow​

Data Types​

Different types of data can flow between nodes:

Primitive Types​

  • Float - Decimal numbers
  • Integer - Whole numbers
  • Boolean - True/False values
  • String - Text data

Vector Types​

  • Vector2 - 2D vectors
  • Vector3 - 3D vectors
  • Vector4 - 4D vectors
  • Quaternion - Rotations

Unity Types​

  • GameObject - Unity objects
  • Transform - Transform components
  • Color - Color values
  • AudioClip - Audio assets

Custom Types​

  • Custom Objects - User-defined objects
  • Enums - Enumeration values
  • Structs - Custom data structures
  • Classes - Custom classes

Data Conversion​

Automatic conversion between compatible types:

[Float] ──→ [Vector3] ──→ [Color]
  1.0        (1,1,1)      White

Conversion Rules:

  • Float to Vector - Replicate value
  • Vector to Float - Use magnitude
  • Color to Vector - Extract RGB values
  • String to Number - Parse string value

Data Validation​

Validate data before it reaches nodes:

[Input] ──→ [Validator] ──→ [Animation]
    │           │
    └─ Invalid ─┴──→ [Error Handler]

Validation Types:

  • Range Validation - Check value ranges
  • Type Validation - Check data types
  • Format Validation - Check data format
  • Custom Validation - User-defined validation

🎭 Event System​

Event Types​

Different types of events can be sent between nodes:

Animation Events​

  • Animation Started - When animation begins
  • Animation Completed - When animation ends
  • Animation Paused - When animation pauses
  • Animation Stopped - When animation stops

Trigger Events​

  • Trigger Activated - When trigger fires
  • Trigger Deactivated - When trigger stops
  • Trigger Condition Met - When condition is satisfied
  • Trigger Condition Failed - When condition fails

Custom Events​

  • User Defined - Custom event types
  • System Events - System-level events
  • External Events - Events from external systems
  • Debug Events - Debug and logging events

Event Handling​

Handle events in your animation graphs:

[Event] ──→ [Handler] ──→ [Response]
    │           │
    └─ Event Data ─┘

Handler Types:

  • Event Listener - Listen for specific events
  • Event Filter - Filter events by criteria
  • Event Router - Route events to different handlers
  • Event Aggregator - Collect multiple events

Event Broadcasting​

Broadcast events to multiple targets:

[Event] ──→ [Broadcaster] ──→ [Target 1]
    │           │
    └───────────┴──→ [Target 2]
    │
    └──→ [Target 3]

Broadcasting Types:

  • Direct Broadcast - Send to specific targets
  • Broadcast All - Send to all connected nodes
  • Conditional Broadcast - Send based on conditions
  • Delayed Broadcast - Send after delay

🎨 Visual Connection Design​

Connection Styles​

Customize the appearance of connections:

Line Styles​

  • Solid Line - Standard connection
  • Dashed Line - Conditional connection
  • Dotted Line - Data connection
  • Thick Line - High priority connection

Connection Colors​

  • Blue - Execution connections
  • Green - Data connections
  • Orange - Event connections
  • Red - Error connections
  • Purple - Custom connections

Connection Animations​

  • Flow Animation - Animated flow along connection
  • Pulse Animation - Pulsing connection
  • Glow Effect - Glowing connection
  • Particle Effect - Particle flow along connection

Connection Labels​

Add labels to connections for clarity:

[Trigger] ──→ [Animation]
    │           │
    └─ "On Click" ─┘

Label Types:

  • Execution Labels - Describe execution flow
  • Data Labels - Describe data being passed
  • Event Labels - Describe events being sent
  • Custom Labels - User-defined labels

🚀 Performance Optimization​

Connection Efficiency​

Optimize connections for better performance:

Minimize Connections​

  • Use fewer connections when possible
  • Combine similar connections into groups
  • Remove unused connections regularly
  • Optimize connection paths for efficiency

Connection Caching​

  • Cache frequently used connections
  • Pre-calculate connection values
  • Use connection pooling for dynamic connections
  • Optimize connection validation

Memory Management​

Manage memory usage of connections:

Connection Cleanup​

  • Remove unused connections automatically
  • Garbage collect old connections
  • Limit connection count per node
  • Use connection pooling for dynamic connections

Data Optimization​

  • Minimize data transfer between nodes
  • Use efficient data types when possible
  • Cache frequently used data
  • Optimize data conversion

🔧 Troubleshooting Connections​

Common Issues​

Connection Errors​

  • Invalid Connection - Check node compatibility
  • Missing Data - Ensure all required data is provided
  • Type Mismatch - Verify data types match
  • Circular Dependency - Check for infinite loops

Performance Issues​

  • Too Many Connections - Reduce connection count
  • Heavy Data Transfer - Optimize data being passed
  • Frequent Validation - Cache validation results
  • Memory Leaks - Clean up unused connections

Debugging Tips​

  • Use Debug Mode - Enable connection debugging
  • Add Breakpoints - Pause execution at connections
  • Log Connection Data - Log data being passed
  • Visualize Flow - Use flow visualization tools

Debug Tools​

Connection Inspector​

Inspect connection properties and data:

  • Connection Type - Type of connection
  • Data Flow - Data being passed
  • Execution Order - Order of execution
  • Performance Metrics - Connection performance

Flow Visualizer​

Visualize the flow of execution:

  • Execution Path - Path of execution
  • Data Flow - Flow of data
  • Event Flow - Flow of events
  • Performance Hotspots - Performance bottlenecks

🎉 What's Next?​

Now that you understand connections and flow:

📚 Learn More​

🎯 Start Creating​

🎊 Flow mastery achieved! You're ready to create complex animation sequences!

Let's explore animation types! Check out the Animation Types guide!