Nodes are elements that facilitate the creation of your story flow.
To craft a non-linear narrative, you need specific tools that can define the multiple potential story paths. These paths depend on the user's interactions and choices throughout the story's development.
Different types of nodes available in Homer encapsulate these tools.
To add a new node right-click on the board and choose the node you want to add.
Nodes of type Text, Choice, Conditional, Variables, and Sequence can have multiple content lines. Open the node menu and click the “Add line” command (or use the shortcut UI & Shortcuts) to add a new line to the node.
In the case of nodes of type Text and Sequence you have the option to configure to cycle through the line of content in various ways:
The Start node is automatically added to the flow at the flow creation.
It defines the beginning of the flow and must be connected with the node you want the flow to start with.
Connections
The Start node has only one connection to link it to the next step. Connections
The text node is used to create the narrative of your story; together with the choice node is used to display text.
Each Text node is linked to an actor (Actors) representing the speaker.
In the Text node, you can set and display variables Variables
Text inside Text nodes can have basic formats:
right click on the selected text to display the menu
You can add inline variations using the following syntax: [[LIST 1|2|3]]
you can use: LIST, LOOP, RND (random), and SRND (smart random) to define the order the variations are displayed.
You can add inline conditions using the following syntax: [IF {condition} ? "b" : "c"]
where “condition” is a global or local boolean variable Variables ($BOOL_VARIABLE or %BOOL_VARIABLE) or a condition that returns a boolean.
To apply an inline special attribute to a snippet of text, follow these steps:
The Text node has only one connection to link it to the next step. Connections
The Choice node allows you to outline a series of actions for varying story paths.
Each line within this node presents an action from which the user can choose to advance.
Every Choice node has an associated actor (Actors) to denote the speaker.
The node features a header to summarize the action set.
To retract an action after selection during the execution, simply prepend its definition with [-].
The Choice node can contain text, can set and display variables Variables
Connections
The Choice node allows for one connection per line. Additionally, you have the option to define a failed connection in case no more questions are available. Connections
The Variables node allows the definition of variables (Variables) that will be evaluated at runtime.
The variable node can set variables Variables
Connections
The Variables node has only one connection to other nodes. Connections
This node is pass-through; during the execution of the flow, variables will be evaluated without pausing at this node.
The Conditional node lets you define different conditions based on the defined variable. Each condition will follow a different path of the flow.
Connections
The Choice node has one connection per line. Additionally, a failed connection should be defined for the path to follow in the case none of the conditions is satisfied. Connections
This node is pass-through; during the execution of the flow, variables will be evaluated without pausing at this node.
The Sequence node allows you to outline a sequence of paths that the flow will follow each time it encounters this node. Here's how you can set the sequence:
Connections
The Sequence node requires one connection per line. Moreover, it's necessary to define a failed connection for the path to follow in case none of the conditions are satisfied. Connections
This node is pass-through.
The Random node defines a random path based on the created connections to other nodes each time the flow crosses it.
Connections
The Random node has as many connections as you want to other nodes. Connections
This node is pass-through.