Symbolic Node

The symbolic node provides a means for "cleaning up" the appearance of a MediaMatrix schematic, especially those where the flow of wires would otherwise resemble a rats nest. In many drawings, a signal may originate at one point, and then be picked up at many points around the drawing by means of a circle, rectangle, or other style of labeled "node". The symbolic node works like that. You may end a wire at one part of a complicated schematic, and pick it up again at one or more points elsewhere in the drawing without having to have a maze of wires crossing over other objects in the schematic. Symbolic nodes can be labeled with any name you chose, and colored to identify their function. While there can only be one "transmitter" on a symbolic node, there can be multiple "receivers", points that pick up the signal sent from the transmitter node of the same name. Although the symbolic node does not look like the wiring nodes used on blocks and other devices, they can be wired to in the same manner.

To install a symbolic node, chose "Device | New | Symbolic Node", or drag the device over from the TAB window. When the nutdriver icon appears, place the nodes where desired. You will notice that when placed, both a transmitter and a receiver node appear. You may move the receiver to any point you want by selecting it. You can also copy and paste these, like you can any object. To label a symbolic node transmitter, simply left click on it to select it, then type in the name you wish to give to the node. You will notice that the name changes not only on the transmitter, but also on the receiver that was placed along with it.

If you try and select properties on the transmitter node, no dialog box appears. This is not the case with the receivers however. If you left click on a receiver, and then right click, and select "Properties", you will notice that a Symbolic Receiver Object Properties dialog box opens, that provides a choice of which transmitter node the receiving node takes it's signal from. By default, it will be assigned to the transmitter that was placed with it, giving the transmitter name you typed in followed by the algorithm I.D. in parenthesis. Next to that is a down arrow, which when clicked, gives you a list of all symbolic node transmitters in the view file. You can alter any receiver node to select any transmitter node in this manner. You will notice that when you select another transmitter (other than the one previously assigned to this receiver), and click on "OK", that the name and color automatically changes to that of the new transmitter node.

Use the Symbolic node device as you would a bus, or anywhere you wish to split the signal flow in a drawing, or route a single output to multiple inputs around a view file.