VEX Manager 1.0

Overview

The VEX Manager is a user-friendly tool which is an alternative from the existing Recipes, Gallery or Preset Dropdown Menu within Houdini. This tool is built solely for managing and editing VEX expressions while also storing notes within a light-weight python shelf tool. Simply click the VEX preset title within the manager and instantly view your expression before adding it to your current wrangle, Edit, Create, Load and Apply your VEX expressions or append small saved snippets to different sections of your current wrangles code. This out of wrangle workflow makes it a handy companion for artists working with VEX looking for a non destructive and easy to predict process.

Quick set ups

When working on VEX heavy projects you can simply apply an existing expression in the click of a button, have various snippets apart of one pipeline? select > apply, select > apply and your all set. No need to remember complete set ups, simply name it, organise it for later and make your changes on the fly.

Snappy lightweight UI

Built entirely in python this responsive and quick UI is made from no more than 2000 lines of python, logic (and CSS - notice the styling) this tool instantly runs and is of no expense to your memory.

On The Move

This tool is ideal for artists who work in multiple places and would like to localize their vexpression.txt file either on a usb/cloud or wherever, simply load your file and its corresponding folders.txt file and you will have all of your snippets and notes wherever you go.

Save time fishing through folders

This UI automatically loads your current vexpressions.txt file according to version, if you're tired of copying your file time and time again after every new build, simply load it up from a single location when needed.

Versioning

If you've created a snippet and have multiple attributes or values that you are happy with for specific use cases you can simply use the slider, hit store and save various versions of the same snippet all under one title, keeping your interface clean and organised.

Other ways to use this script

Notes, references, task list... and more

Instead of leaving notes all over your nodes which is great in some cases, you could alternately use this tool to save notes, references or other ideas you have to file, using this function in the same way you could have a reference list of colours, instructions, project specific notes or anything else and then easily organize these into a folder all inside the Vex Code Manager, the way you use it is up to you!

Key Features

• Out of wrangle workflow: Build script templates for your most commonly used vexpressions and apply them where needed without damaging exisiting code, want to save an iteration? Store current version with the slider and keep experimenting.
• User-Friendly Interface: Clean, intuitive layout for easy access to VEX code and note taking.
• Load/Create VEX Document: Easily load existing scripts or create new ones.
• Categories/Groups: Organize VEX snippets into custom folders or categories.
• Add/Move Remove: Move your snippets around, into and out of folders.
• Search Functionality: Quick searching through VEX snippets by keywords.
• Save: Save changes to a snippet or save a new snippet by simply clicking away from any selection and then pressing save,
  your input VEX and title will now be saved to file.
• Edit: Safely update your VEX or VEX name and press edit to store.
• Delete: Removes code snippets entirely.
• Apply: Pressing the apply button appends your code to the end of your wrangles vex snippet without replacing any code to avoid accidents.
• Rename: Double click on your code to rename and press enter.
• Version Control: Create and manage multiple versions of your VEX code using the slider and Store button.
• Customization: Customize code colors and increase text scale for readability.
• Scalable UI: Adaptable UI for screens of all sizes.
• Preset Management: Reads and manages current vexressions.txt presets.

Shortcuts

• CTRL + G: Creates group from selection
• ENTER: Saves code/group name
• DELETE: Deletes folder selection (contents is moved out of folder)
• Double-Click: Rename selection

Non-Destructive Workflow

• Folder Management: The folder structure is saved separately to ensure that your VEX code is never affected. The path to the folder structure is:

C:\Users\YourUsername\Documents\houdiniXX.X\vexpressions_folders.txt

• Safe Interactions: The VEX code is read from:

C:\Users\YourUsername\Documents\houdiniXX.X\vexpressions.txt