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"
Recent news and updates for Patternodes 3. Follow us on Twitter @lostminds_sw for more news and updates
2023-09-19
Patternodes 3.2.2 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:
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.
2023-04-28
Patternodes 3.1.4 released
Another update of Patternodes 3. This new version adds a new node that helps making periodic alternating value animations much easier to set up along with some other fixes and improvements.
Changes and improvements:
New Time Period value node making it easier to set up periodic alternating value animations.
Group Apply Function node now has an index offset parameter when unsing index input.
Increased the max number of supported variables in the Math node to 10.
Added a warning to GIF animation exports explaining some format framerate limitations.
Bug fixes:
Fixed an issue with quicktime video exports dropping frames if the encoder was busy.
Fixed a crash when adding a new node index node directly connected to a group apply function node.
2023-02-09
Patternodes 3.1.3 released
Another smaller update of Patternodes 3. The new version fixes a couple of issues in the new expression variable parsing introduced in 3.1.2 along with a couple of other smaller fixes and improvements.
Fixes and improvements:
Added an option to Pivot point node to ignore stoke when automatically aligning the pivot, useful for stroked elements that will later be scaled.
Fixed an offset issue with pivot-offset elements reprated with the Radial repeater node.
Fixes the Math node variable detection picking up decimal separators in expressions as variable names.
Updated and corrected the Math node reference documentation.
Fixed dark mode selection type icons.
2023-02-06
Patternodes 3.1.2 released
Another update of Patternodes 3 has been released. The this new version adds some imrpovements to SVG imports and rendering and adds some long awaited flexibility to the Math node variable parameters. These now adapt automatically to the variable count and names you use in the expression.
New features and improvements:
Math Node now has support for up to 8 variable parameters that are automatically named and shown based on the expression.
Improved SVG image mode imports/rendering (Upgrade to IJSVG 3.0 framework).
Bug fixes:
Fixed bug where typing in new values into an animated value field would revert the value displayed in the field.
Fixed bug with undo/redo in expression parameter fields.
Fixed a bug with some rare SVG path commands parsing.
2023-01-09
Patternodes 3.1.1 released
Today another update of Patternodes 3 has been released. This new version makes some changes to the way colors are handled, with better support for non-rgb colors (like CMYK and Grayscale), but mainly it fixes a lot of big and small bugs.
New features and improvements:
Better color model support. Color parameters can now be set and stored in different colorspaces/models (like Grayscale and CMYK) instead of always being converted to RGB and losing precision. This will also mean some exported colors will look different compared to older versions, so there is an option added in the settings to keep the old conversion to get the same output.
Made it easier to find the Value Time function node by also placing it in a new Animation category in the add node menu.
You can now use middle-mouse button for panning in the preview just like in the node editor view.
Updated manual.
Added link to user Discord channel in the Help menu.
Bug fixes:
Some fixes and improvements to the Color node numeric color mode based on the new color model features.
Fixed dragging a selection box outside of the node editor not scrolling it correctly.
Fixed the cursor not resetting properly after middle-mouse button panning of the node editor view.
Fixed issue where right-clicking a second time after dragging out a new connection would leave a broken connection with a loose end.
Fixed issue where it was possible to duplicate the Artboart node, causing issues since there should only be one and it can't be deleted.
Stability improvement and better error messages if something goes wrong during file exports.
Stability improvement and better error messages when trying to save files that have invalid connections or nodes.
Some users have started a Discord channel for users of Vectoraster and Patternodes.
So if you're interested in discussing the apps, looking for help or want to connect with other users with check it out: Vectoraster and Patternodes discord
Today a new substancial update of Patternodes 3 has been released. The new release adds a lot of improvements and new features to enable making data-driven illustrations and animations with the addition of CSV vale table imports, conditional group selection and conditional value nodes amongst other things. With the release new sample files have been added to the application bundle to show off these new features, as well as two new videos on the youtube channel.
New features and improvements:
New Value Table node lets you import and edit value tables and use in you node graph, enabling a lot of new data visualization usecases.
New Value Condition node lets you set up new complex logic rules for linked values.
New Condition mode in the Group Select node lets you select elements based on size or position rules.
New Value Function node replaces the Value Remap node and lets you remap value ranges with a lot more control using many different functions.
New data visualization and tutorial sample files added.
The Group Apply function node can now use element size as an input parameter.
Improved SVG import path parsing.
Updated Sparkle version checking and updates library.
Improved Import Node aspect correction when switching import mode or loading new graphics, and a restore original aspect context menu item as been added.
Bug fixes:
Fixed Group Select node not working properly when input was a single element.
Fixed a bug where it would be impossible to delete nodes with Node index parameters if there were no change or repeater nodes.
Fixed Group Select node not displaying selection preview correctly if no elements were selected.
Fixed value function previews not updating as noise function parameters were changed.
Fixed drag highlight outline being shown on file areas even if the dragged file was not in a supported format.
Adjustments and corrections to some parameter tool tips and node help texts.
You can no longer (incorrectly) add animation tracks to math expression parameters.
2022-08-25
Patternodes 3.0.9 released
Another new update of Patternodes 3 has been released with a couple of smaller improvements and fixes:
Changes and improvements:
The Change Color node can now be used to set fill or stroke color on elements with no fill or stroke opacity.
Added new preferences setting for default in/out easing type of new added keyframes.
Added some new warnings messages explaining some situations where Change Color and Change Opacity nodes will not show any visible change.
Fixes timeline animation track selection not updating correctly when deleting tracks.
Undoing deleting selected nodes now properly selects them again after restoring the nodes.
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.
