coin_nodes(3)

📦
version 4.0.10 · 4 versions
, in fedora 43, fedora 44

💖 coin_nodes(3) 💖

okay so bestie, welcome to coin_nodes from the Coin manual, section 3 (that's the library-calls girlies, iykyk) ✨ this one's a whole trilogy so buckle up, part one is right here 🫶

✨ NAME ✨

coin_nodes — Node Classes 👑

🌸 the vibe check 🌸

  • Nodes are scene based objects, and they perform various actions — rendering being one of them 💅

fr fr that's the whole teaser and honestly? it's giving main character energy for the rest of this page 🌈

✨ SYNOPSIS ✨

okay so this is the node menu, and bestie, it is long 💖 these are all the classes Coin hands you for building scene graphs, and yes, we're going through every single one of them because they all matter. no skipping. grab a snack 🍓

🎀 Classes 🎀

  • SoAlphaTest — the node you use to control the GL alpha test function 🎛️
  • SoAnnotation — draws all of its child geometry on top of the other geometry, main character behavior honestly 👑
  • SoAntiSquish — resets things back to uniform scaling, the glow-up node ✨
  • SoArray — a group node made for setting up regular arrays of subgraphs 🧱
  • SoBaseColor — the convenient little node for setting the base material color 🎨
  • SoBlinker — a switch node that cycles 🚦
  • SoBumpMap — maps a bump map onto the shapes that come after it 🫧
  • SoBumpMapCoordinate — provides bump map coordinates to shape nodes 📍
  • SoBumpMapTransform — defines 2D bump map transformations 🔄
  • SoCallback — a node type that gives you a way to set callback hooks in the scene graph 🪝
  • SoCacheHint — a node holding hints about how to cache geometry 💾
  • SoCamera — the abstract base class for camera definition nodes 📷
  • SoClipPlane — a node type for specifying clipping planes ✂️
  • SoColorIndex — specifies color indices for subsequent shapes 🌈
  • SoComplexity — sets the trade-off between quality and performance, the eternal struggle ⚖️
  • SoCoordinate3 — provides coordinates to shape nodes 📐
  • SoCoordinate4 — also provides coordinates to shape nodes 📐
  • SoDepthBuffer — a node used to control the GL depth buffer 🧊
  • SoDirectionalLight — a node type for specifying directional light sources ☀️
  • SoDrawStyle — specifies common rendering properties for shapes 🖌️
  • SoEnvironment — a node for specifying global rendering parameters 🌍
  • SoEventCallback — gives you functionality for catching events 🎣
  • SoExtSelection — can be used for extended selection functionality 👆
  • SoFile — a node container for another model file 📁
  • SoFont — an appearance node for setting fonts 🔤
  • SoFontStyle — changes the appearance of fonts for text rendering nodes ✒️
  • SoFrustumCamera — defines a camera with a generic frustum 📸
  • SoGroup — a node which manages other node instances 👯
  • SoInfo — a node for holding text information 📝
  • SoLOD — used to choose a child based on distance between viewer and object 📏
  • SoLabel — a node for holding label information in a scene graph 🏷️
  • SoLevelOfDetail — used to choose a child based on projected size 🔍
  • SoLight — the base class for light emitting nodes 💡
  • SoLightModel — a node for specifying the model for geometry lighting 🌟
  • SoLinearProfile — a node for specifying linear profile curves 📈
  • SoListener — defines listener attributes used when rendering sound 🎧
  • SoLocateHighlight — highlights the geometry under the cursor 👀
  • SoMaterial — a node type for setting up material values for scene geometry 💎
  • SoMaterialBinding — a node for setting up how materials are mapped to shapes 🔗
  • SoMatrixTransform — a transformation node 🧮
  • SoMultipleCopy — redraws its children multiple times at different transformations 👯‍♀️
  • SoNode — THE base class for nodes used in scene graphs, the blueprint of blueprints 👑
  • SoNormal — a node for providing normals to the state 📐
  • SoNormalBinding — a node for specifying normal vector bindings 🧷
  • SoNurbsProfile — a node for specifying smooth profile curves 🌀
  • SoOrthographicCamera — defines a camera node with orthographic rendering 📐
  • SoPackedColor — a node for setting diffuse and transparency material values 🎨
  • SoPathSwitch — traverses only when the current path matches a configurable path 🛤️
  • SoPendulum — used to create oscillating rotations 🕰️
  • SoPerspectiveCamera — defines a camera node with perspective rendering 📷
  • SoPickStyle — a node for setting up how to do picking 🎯
  • SoPointLight — a node type for light sources ✨
  • SoPolygonOffset — a node type for layering rendering primitives 🥞
  • SoProfile — the abstract superclass for profile definitions 👑
  • SoProfileCoordinate2 — a node specifying a set of 2D coordinates for profiles 🔢
  • SoProfileCoordinate3 — a node specifying a set of 3D coordinates for profiles 🔢
  • SoResetTransform — a node type which makes it possible to nullify state during traversal 🧹
  • SoReversePerspectiveCamera — defines a camera node with reverse perspective rendering 🔄
  • SoRotation — specifies a rotation transformation 🌀
  • SoRotationXYZ — a node type for specifying rotation around a particular axis 🎡
  • SoRotor — a node used to animate rotations 💫
  • SoScale — a node type for scaling scene graph geometry 📏
  • SoSceneTexture2 — used to create a 2D texture from a Coin scene graph 🖼️
  • SoSceneTextureCubeMap — renders a scene into a texture cube map 🎲
  • SoSelection — manages a list of selected nodes ✅
  • SoSeparator — a state-preserving group node 🛡️
  • SoShapeHints — a node containing hints about how to render geometry 🤫
  • SoShuttle — used to oscillate between two translations 🚌
  • SoSpotLight — a node type for light sources with a cone shaped light volume 🔦
  • SoSurroundScale — used to automatically scale geometry to surround other geometry 🫂
  • SoSwitch — a group node which selects one child subgraph for traversal 🔀
  • SoTexture — the common base class for texture nodes 🧵
  • SoTexture2 — used to map a 2D texture onto subsequent geometry in the scene graph 🖼️
  • SoTexture3 — used to map a 3D texture onto geometry 🧊
  • SoTexture2Transform — used to define 2D texture transformations 🔄
  • SoTexture3Transform — used to define 3D texture transformations 🔄
  • SoTextureCombine — a node for setting texture combine functions 🧪
  • SoTextureCoordinate2 — contains a set of coordinates for the mapping of 2D textures 📍
  • SoTextureCoordinate3 — contains a set of coordinates for the mapping of 2D textures 📍 (that's what it says, I'm just relaying the group chat)
  • SoTextureCoordinateBinding — says how texture coordinates should be bound to shapes 🧷
  • SoTextureCoordinateCube — generates cube mapped texture coordinates for shapes 🎲
  • SoTextureCoordinateCylinder — generates cylinder mapped texture coordinates for shapes 🥫
  • SoTextureCoordinateSphere — generates sphere mapped texture coordinates for shapes 🔮
  • SoTextureCoordinateDefault — removes texture coordinates from the state 🚫
  • SoTextureCoordinateEnvironment — generates texture coordinates by projecting onto a surrounding texture 🌐
  • SoTextureCoordinateFunction — the abstract base class for texture coordinate generating nodes 👑
  • SoTextureCoordinatePlane — generates texture coordinates by projecting onto a plane ✈️
  • SoTextureCoordinateNormalMap — generates texture coordinates by projecting onto a surrounding texture 🌐
  • SoTextureCoordinateReflectionMap — generates 3D reflection texture coordinates 🪞
  • SoTextureCoordinateObject — generates texture coordinates by… 👀
  • SoTextureCubeMap — used to map a cube map onto subsequent shape nodes 🎲
  • SoTextureMatrixTransform — used to define a texture matrix transformation 🧮
  • SoTextureScalePolicy — a node for controlling the texture scale policy 📏
  • SoTextureUnit — a node for setting the active texture unit 🎚️
  • SoTransform — the all-purpose transformation node type 🛠️
  • SoTransparencyType — a node for setting the transparency
  • ... type for shapes.
  • SoTransformSeparator — bestie, this is a group node that preserves the current transformations. It's literally holding onto the vibe. 💅
  • SoTransformation — the abstract base class for transformation nodes. It's the blueprint, the moment before the magic. ✨
  • SoTranslation — a node type for specifying geometry translations. Moves things around, slay. 💖
  • SoUnits — a node for setting unit types. It's giving "measurements, but make it 3D." 📏
  • SoVertexProperty — collects the functionality of various appearance nodes. Like a little bag of appearance tricks. 🎀
  • SoWWWAnchor — adds URL callbacks to the highlighted geometry. Clickable 3D, periodt. 🔗
  • SoWWWInline — a node used to include data from an URL. Pulling in the goods from the web. 🌐
  • SoAsciiText — renders flat 3D text. ASCII art but make it 3D. 🅰️
  • SoCone — for rendering cone shapes. Cone vibes. 🍦
  • SoCube — for rendering cubes. Cube supremacy. 🧊
  • SoCylinder — for rendering cylinder shapes. Roll with it. 🥫
  • SoFaceSet — used to render and organize non-indexed polygonal face data. Faces, but not the social kind. 😶
  • SoImage — draws a 2D image on the viewport. 2D glow-up. 🖼️
  • SoIndexedFaceSet — used to handle generic indexed facesets. Indexed faces, no cap. 🔢
  • SoIndexedLineSet — used to render and otherwise represent indexed lines. Lines with receipts. 📉
  • SoIndexedMarkerSet — used to display a set of bitmap markers at 3D positions. Markers, but make them 3D. 📍
  • SoIndexedNurbsCurve — a node for representing smooth curves. Curves so smooth. 🧈
  • SoIndexedNurbsSurface — can be used to render NURBS surfaces. Surface level? More like NURBS level. 🪞
  • SoIndexedPointSet — used to display a set of 3D points. Points, period. 🔴
  • SoIndexedShape — the superclass for all indexed vertex shapes. The parent of indexed shapes. 👑
  • SoIndexedTriangleStripSet — keeps data for rendering and otherwise representing triangle strips. Triangles in strips. 🔺
  • SoLineSet — used to render and organize non-indexed polylines. Lines that aren't indexed. 📏
  • SoMarkerSet — displays a set of 2D bitmap markers in 3D. Markers in 3D, iconic. 📌
  • SoNonIndexedShape — the superclass for all non-indexed vertex based shapes. The non-indexed parent. 👑
  • SoNurbsCurve — a node for representing smooth curves. Smooth curves, again. 🌀
  • SoNurbsSurface — used to render smooth surfaces. Smooth surfaces, yes. 🧴
  • SoPointSet — used to display a set of 3D points. Points, but not indexed. 🔵
  • SoQuadMesh — used to render and optimize a quadrilateral mesh. Quads, optimized. 🟪
  • SoShape — the superclass for geometry shapes. The OG shape parent. 👑
  • SoSphere — for rendering sphere shapes. Round and round. ⚪
  • SoText2 — a node type for visualizing 2D text aligned with the camera plane. 2D text that follows the camera. 📝
  • SoText3 — renders extruded 3D text. 3D text with extra dimension. 🔠
  • SoTriangleStripSet — used to render and control non-indexed triangle strips. Triangle strips, non-indexed. 🔺
  • SoVertexShape — the superclass for all vertex based shapes. Vertex shapes' parent. 👑
  • SoShadowStyle — a node for setting the shadow style on nodes. Shadow style, spooky. 🌑
  • SoShadowSpotLight — a node for setting up a spot light which casts shadows. Spotlight with shadow drama. 🔦
  • SoShadowCulling — a node for setting the shadow style on nodes. Shadow style, again? Culling edition. 🌚
  • SoGeoOrigin — used to specify an absolute geographic location against which geometry is referenced. Geo origin, the reference point. 🌍
  • SoGeoLocation — used to georeference the following nodes. Georeference like a boss. 📍
  • SoGeoSeparator — used to georeference a scene graph. Georeference the whole scene. 🌐
  • SoGeoCoordinate — used to specify a list of geographical coordinates. Coordinates, but geographic. 🗺️

✨ MACROS ✨

Okay bestie, here are the macros, all the defines you need to know. 💅

#define SO_NODE_HEADER(classname)
#define SO_NODE_ABSTRACT_HEADER(classname)
#define SO_NODE_INIT_CLASS(classname,  parentclass,  parentname)
#define SO_NODE_INIT_ABSTRACT_CLASS(classname,  parentclass,
    parentname)
#define SO_NODE_SOURCE(classname)
#define SO_NODE_ABSTRACT_SOURCE(classname)
#define SO_NODE_CONSTRUCTOR(classname)
#define SO_NODE_IS_FIRST_INSTANCE()
#define SO_NODE_ADD_FIELD(field,  defaultvalue)
#define SO_NODE_DEFINE_ENUM_VALUE(enumname,  enumvalue)

✨ DETAILED DESCRIPTION ✨

Nodes are scene based objects that perform various actions such as rendering. No cap. 🎬

This is the set of nodes Coin implements using the original Open Inventor pattern, meaning they read and write to and from files using the Inventor/VRML1 format, and produce side-effects for subsequent siblings under the same SoSeparator node during action traversal. It's giving legacy but make it iconic. 💖

A subset of these nodes constitute the VRML1 format, and a bigger subset constitutes the Inventor format. The rest of the nodes are extensions that are not part of any standardized format. So like, some are canon, some are fanfic. ✨

For VRML97 nodes, see the VRMLnodes page. 👀

The VRML1.0 specification is at http://www.web3d.org/x3d/specifications/vrml/VRML1.0/index.html — go read it if you're feeling academic. 📚

✨ MACRO DEFINITION DOCUMENTATION ✨

✨ #define SO_NODE_HEADER( classname) ✨

This macro adds standard declarations needed in Coin nodes for object creation and type identification. It's the header glow-up. 💅

See also: SO_NODE_SOURCE

✨ #define SO_NODE_ABSTRACT_HEADER( classname) ✨

This macro adds standard declarations needed in Coin nodes for type identification. It differs from SO_NODE_HEADER in that the object creation part is omitted. Abstract, so no object-making for you. 🚫

See also: SO_NODE_ABSTRACT_SOURCE

✨ #define SO_NODE_INIT_CLASS( classname, parentclass, parentname) ✨

This macro is used in the initClass-function in a node class. It registers the class by name (by creating a new SoType for the class), so file reading will be able to create a node of this type and fill it with its field values. It's the class registration moment. 📝

See also: SO_NODE_INIT_ABSTRACT_CLASS

✨ #define SO_NODE_INIT_ABSTRACT_CLASS( classname, parentclass, parentname) ✨

This macro is used in the initClass-function in abstract node classes. It registers the class by name (by creating a new SoType for the class) for type identification purposes. Abstract but still registered. 👑

See also: SO_NODE_INIT_CLASS

✨ #define SO_NODE_SOURCE( classname) ✨

This macro sets up the implementation of the declarations in SO_NODE_HEADER. It should be placed in the implementation file for extension nodes. The source side of the story. 📄

See also: SO_NODE_HEADER

✨ #define SO_NODE_ABSTRACT_SOURCE( classname) ✨

This macro sets up the implementation of the declarations in SO_NODE_ABSTRACT_HEADER. It should be placed in the implementation file for abstract extension nodes. Abstract source, periodt. 📄

See also: SO_NODE_ABSTRACT_HEADER

✨ #define SO_NODE_CONSTRUCTOR( classname) ✨

Place this in the node constructor. It sets up the field data object for the node class. Constructor vibes. 🏗️

✨ #define SO_NODE_IS_FIRST_INSTANCE() ✨

This macro can be used as a predicate to test if the constructed node is the first constructed instance of a node class, in case some extra initialization needs to be done that can't be done in the initClass() function. First instance energy. 🥇

✨ #define SO_NODE_ADD_FIELD( field, defaultvalue) ✨

This registers a field for a node, and sets its value to the default value. For use in the constructor, below the SO_NODE_CONSTRUCTOR macro. Adding fields like a boss. ➕

✨ #define SO_NODE_DEFINE_ENUM_VALUE( enumname, enumvalue) ✨

This macro associates enum names with values, used for file input/output. Enum name and value, besties. 🔢

✨ AUTHOR ✨

This whole page was generated automatically by Doxygen for Coin from the source code. So you know it's legit. 💖

And that's a wrap, bestie! This masterpiece is from Coin version 4.0.10, dated Thu Jun 25 2026 00:00:00, and it's the coin_nodes(3) manual page. Stay iconic. 💅✨

📦 where this page comes from