Value Select

What is it for?

• Selecting one created image variant to pass downstream
• Switching color, number, palette, and other candidates by index
• Promoting index to an input pin and switching candidates over time from a numeric node

Overview

An N-way switch that selects one of several candidates by number. It extends the two-way switch and is useful for choosing image variants or stepping through discrete options.

Usage tips

• Manual selection is the basic pattern: arrange candidates and compare them with index, such as alternative colors or shapes.
• Promote index to an input pin 📌 and connect an integer waveform or counter to animate through candidates in order. If the input is fractional, convert it to an integer first with math_func(Floor).
• For a dynamic or large number of candidates, a list with list_create + list_get scales better. Value Select suits a small set of manually arranged candidates.

Related nodes

• switch — two choices controlled by a Bool
• list_get — retrieve by index from a list, the list-based equivalent
• int_input — externalize the selection index
• variant_select — selection in a variant workflow

Notes

• index is zero-based, starting at 0. index = 2 selects item_2.
• An out-of-range index is clamped to the first or last candidate.
• If the selected input is unconnected, the node first falls back to item_0. If item_0 is also unconnected, it uses the first connected candidate.
• Only when no candidates are connected does value become an empty output.
• Changing value_type also changes the types of candidate inputs and the value output.
• Normally, connect the same type to every candidate.
• This is a normal evaluation node. Connected candidate branches are graph dependencies. Unchanged candidates are cached, but this is not a Lazy Select that completely excludes unselected branches from evaluation.
• Any is for advanced use. A connection may be accepted, but if the selected value does not match the type expected downstream, evaluation produces a warning or node error.

Examples

1. Select one of four image candidates
   • Set value_type = Image.
   • Connect images to item_0..item_3.
   • Switch the chosen candidate with index.
2. Switch images over time
   • Promote index to an input pin and connect it from Time Source or a numeric node.
3. Switch among several color candidates
   • Set value_type = Color.
   • Pass the selected color to a downstream color input.
4. Switch among palette candidates
   • Set value_type = Palette.
   • Use it to compare appearances with different palettes.