Part Composer

Overview

A layout node that places reusable parts (.pxnpart) and live-sync outputs on a canvas and composites them into one image. Its dedicated editor handles the stage where created assets are arranged into artwork, making it central to using the asset library.

Usage tips

• Separating asset creation from layout is the core workflow. Store parts as .pxnpart with part_node, then arrange them in this node's editor.
• Placements are stored as baked snapshots, so moving them remains lightweight. Only parameterized parts reevaluate when an exposed parameter changes.
• During experimentation, expose a node output through live sync and arrange it as a temporary part. Live-sync parts are not saved as reusable packages.
• Group translation, integer scaling, quarter-turn rotation, and flipping apply recursively to descendants. Parent and child opacity multiply, and hiding a group hides all descendants from the output.
• Hierarchy order controls front-to-back composition. A group's children render as one ordered subtree, with the same transforms and ordering in the editor and node output.

Related nodes

• part_node — creates and saves parts
• blend — regular composition may be enough for a few images
• iso_scene_compose — use the dedicated isometric system for isometric assets

Places multiple part images on a canvas and composites them into a single image.

Uses

• Load saved .pxnpart files from the library and arrange them in the editor
• Place a live-sync output from any node as a temporary part in the current project
• Move parts in pixel coordinates
• Adjust integer scaling, 90-degree rotation, flipping, opacity, and front-to-back order
• Pass the composited result downstream as an Image

Editor

Open Part Composer Editor by double-clicking the node or using the Inspector edit button. The part list on the left shows saved .pxnpart files and node outputs currently exposed through live sync.

Snapshot and parameterized parts share the .pxnpart extension. _snapshot or _parameterized is appended to the filename automatically, and the editor also shows the part type.

When placed, an evaluated image is stored as a baked snapshot in composer_data. This makes placement, movement, rotation, and scaling lightweight instance updates that do not depend on reevaluating the source graph. A parameterized .pxnpart reevaluates its embedded graph only when an exposed parameter changes.

Live sync is a project-local feature separate from .pxnpart. It is not saved as a formal reusable part, but it caches the current image so it also appears in the Part Composer node output.

Because group controls in v1/v2 data did not affect the final output, loading those documents neutralizes legacy group transform, opacity, and visibility fields to keep their previous appearance. Subsequent edits are saved with the new hierarchy behavior.