Node Editor: pin all nodes by default

[RFlannery1]

I have a question about the Node Editor in Maya 2018.  I like to keep my nodes pinned so that they don't jump around after I have positioned them.  So I tried turning on the option "Pin all nodes by default".  But when I tried selecting some nodes and graphing the inputs/outputs, the newly added nodes were all added in the same place, all on top of each other.

My expectation was that the new nodes would be added in a nice arrangement, like they are when the "pin all nodes by default" option is off.  Is my interpretation wrong?  Is adding the nodes all on top of each other the expected behavior?

(For now I am working around it by leaving the option turned off.  Then after I graph node inputs/outputs, I select the new nodes and hit "p" to pin them.  This mostly works, except that I sometimes forget to hit "p".  Then I graph more inputs/outputs, my nodes shift around, and I go "Aargh, I forgot to pin the nodes again!")

[sean.heasley · Accepted solution]

Hi @RFlannery1

This looks to be by design and a feature that was implemented in 2017.

I do understand though how this can be frustrating so I highly recommend posting this on the Maya Idea Board!

This is a great place for the community to share ideas or feature they want to see in the future of Maya and this board is regularly checked by the dev team!

Please let me know if this information is helpful or if you need any more assistance!

If one or more of these posts helped answer your question, please click Accept as Solution on the posts that helped you so others in the community can find them easily.

Kudos are greatly appreciated. Everyone likes a thumbs up!

[BurkhardRammner]

One of Mayas' most ridiculous shortcomings is that the nodeEditor is still unable to work properly with containers!