The Book of Nodes
If you’ve ever delved into the Godot Documentation, you likely noticed two things: first, there is an abundance of nodes (many of which you might never use), and second, some of these nodes can be quite confusing.
As a beginner Godot developer, understanding the purpose of each node can be confusing. Even as a somewhat seasoned Godot creator, I am still learning about new nodes and methods of doing things to this day. For example, when I first started learning Godot, I used a ColorRect node for all my UI backgrounds. However, this meant that if I wanted a background with a border, I had to use multiple ColorRects to achieve this.
Later on, I discovered the Panel node, which offers a lot more customization, built-in borders, and even rounded corners! Although I still use ColorRects, I now know that there are better nodes (like the Panel node) that I can use to achieve the same result.
That’s why I wanted to create an encyclopedia of sorts, focusing on the most essential nodes to know as a beginner.
Now, to complete this encyclopedia, I’ve decided to organize the content into three distinct categories: 2D, 3D, and UI. Within each category, you’ll find a list of nodes relevant to that section. For each node, I will cover the mechanics that can be implemented using this node, along with basic examples of how this mechanic can be implemented into a project. This ensures that you not only learn about each node’s functionality but also how they can be practically applied during your game development process.
Before we begin, if you need a base project to test these code snippets, feel free to download my FREE 2D and 3D templates here. I’ll be using these templates throughout this post.
*Please note that this list is not 100% complete yet, but I will be updating this list as time goes on.
UPDATE:
Get your copy of My Book of Nodes for Godot 4 in an offline PDF format (and Word for GIF previews) now!
In the offline version, all the categories (2D, 3D, and UI) are combined in a single document. No more waiting for my websites and blogs to load — take the content with you and access it instantly, wherever you are.
Check it out, it’s free. 😊
