Patternodes is a tool for creating generative design, vector patterns or animations. This is done using a node-based interface where you define a sequence of connected nodes that describe the design, each representing graphical elements, changes or repetitions. You might call this parametric design or visual scripting for 2d graphics.
The node sequence is completely non-destructive, so you can change any step in the sequence at any time without having to redo anything. This makes it easy to tweak repetition counts or element properties and instantly see the end result. The parameters that control each node can also be connected to other nodes, establishing complex relationships where one property controls another. And finally all of these node parameters can be animated using keyframes in a timeline.
Patternodes is designed from the start to stimulate playful use and experimentation, therefore the result is always shown in the preview view updating in real time. There is also extensive inline help features, warnings, sample files and even a manual to help you use the software.
Inspiration
There is a collection of projects that could work as inspiration for what you could use Patternodes for here on Behance:
"... once you get the hang of it, Patternodes is much easier to create ever more complex patterns, even animated ones, than any other pattern-creating app or plug-in I've ever reviewed."
"All in all, once you climb the initial learning curve, creating patterns with Patternodes will surely become much easier than with any other illustration application"
This new post on the Paragraphic development blog has a comparison between the node-based system in Patternodes and Paragraphic. This can hopefully also be a good introduction to this type of procedural design tools, and both Patternodes and Paragraphic. Or if you're already familiar with such tools explain a little more in detail how this is implemented in Paragraphic.
A new maintenance update of Patternodes 3 has been released.
Fixes and improvements:
Fixed .pnds Finder file previews and thumbnails.
Saves separate preview panel state in files and restores this on loading.
Allow radial repeater to compensate for varying dynamic element pivot offsets.
2024-09-06
Patternodes 3.3.1 released
A new maintenance update of Patternodes 3 has been released.
Fixes and improvements:
Fixed Apply Function node and Apply Element node not working as expected in selected apply to modes.
Improved license check redundancy for situations when the main license server is not working properly.
2024-05-14
Patternodes 3.3.0 released
A new update of Patternodes 3 has been released. This time it's a feature update with some new features for repeating and replacing elements in designs.
The inspiration to some of these new features comes from our new parametric design project Paragraphic, check it out at paragraphic.design and follow it's development if you're interested.
New features and improvements:
New Repeat Function node, allowing you to repeat elements with a transformation similar to the Apply Function node. This makes it a lot more convenient to make some gradual scale or offset transforms and adds greater control.
New Select from group option in the Replace node, allowing you to select the replacement element from an input group instead of using the entire group. This makes it much easier to make patterns with mixed elements without needing Element lists. Just connect all your elements to the replace node and set how to select the replacement from the group.
Pack and Element info nodes now have an Ignore stroke option to get size and pack elements disregarding and stroke width.
Fixes:
Fixed function period offsets still being applied even if the change periods option was unchecked.
Change node apply to Single selection now works with negative offsets as well as positive.
Fixed some macOS 14 UI layout issues.
Improved export file writing error handling.
Fixed some incorrect warnings in disabled nodes.
2023-11-01
Patternodes 3.2.3 released
A new update of Patternodes 3 has been released. This update is a maintenance release fixing some issues and making smaller adjustments.
Changes and fixes:
Some improvements to connection socket snapping and highlighting of suitable sockets.
Fix a rare issue where it would be impossible to add connections to specific valid node sockets.
You can now no longer connect node graphics connections to inputs/outputs in the same node, avoiding the infinite recursion error you'd get before when trying to do this.
Fixed nodes created with drag and drop files would not align properly to grid snap.
Removed deprecated EPS export format option that is no longer supported on macOS 14 and later (still available on older versions).
It appears that Apple has removed system support for the EPS format in macOS 14 Sonoma, which means that sadly importing or exporting EPS files in Vectoraster and Patternodes will no longer work on macOS 14.
This was unexpected, so unfortunately current versions of Vectoraster and Patternodes will not give you any warning about this and may behave erratically trying to load/save EPS data as they relied on these system features. It's unlikely EPS format support will come back at this time, so if you're still working with EPS files, now is a good time to switch over to SVG or PDF.
A new update of Patternodes 3 has been released. This update is a maintenance release fixing some issues and making smaller adjustments.
Changes and fixes:
Fix issue with importing vector graphics with very large sizes causing memory issues.
Fix Group Arrange node not arranging elements with change mode set to a selection instead of all elements.
Fix incorrect text size in Element Text nodes imported from Patternodes 2 files.
Improved handling of file access errors on import.
Added Lost Minds Mastodon link to Help menu.
2023-07-14
Patternodes 3.2.1 released
A new update of Patternodes 3 has been released. This update adds a number of smaller improvements and fixes across a number of areas.
Changes and improvements:
The Group Arrange node can now sort elements based on size.
Improved precision hovering and clicking connections in the node editor.
Dropped/imported graphics are now get their physical size set automatically in the new node.
Improved error messages on file access permission issues when importing files.
Bugfixes:
Correctly handle complex unicode-pair characters (like SF symbols) in the Value Substring node.
Fix incorrect size issue on scaled animated svg exports.
Fix incorrect physical size shown for imported vector graphics.
Fix animated artboard background being static in animated svg exports.
Fix Edit menu Copy artboard bitmap copying vector graphics.
Remove incorrect file permission dialogue when exporting animated svg file.
2023-05-29
Patternodes 3.2.0 released
A new update of Patternodes 3 has been released. This new version adds new string connections and some new associated nodes, letting you connect and work with strings and text in a lot of new ways.
Changes and improvements:
String value connections allow you to now connect text string values between nodes and parameters just like values.
New Value String node to define and combine linked strings.
New Value Substring node to extract parts of strings.
The Data Table node can now also output strings for table cells.
New editor context menu item to center the nodes in the view, and an option in the settings to always do this on file load.
Element Text node can now use both size modes and tracking adjustment for any length text for better consistency with dynamic text input.
Updates some components for future compatibility, raising minimum required macOS version to 10.15.
Bug fixes:
Fixes a bug in the Table data editor panel when toggling the first row headers option while editing a table cell.
Stroke width is now included in path bounds calculations when set, even if stroke opacity is 0.
Patternodes 3 now requires macOS 10.15 or later to run.
Purchase process
The online purchase process is handled quickly and securely by Paddle.com.
After you complete your purchase you will immediately be given access to your license codes and information on how to unlock the full version of your software. You will also be sent two e-mails from Paddle to the address you've specified. One receipt for your records and one titled "Your <Product> Paddle.com Order" containing your license code and unlocking information.
