Adding Nodes

The toolbar buttons , and are used for adding nature nodes (i.e. “chance” or “deterministic” nodes), decision nodes, or utility nodes (also known as “value” nodes) respectively.  When you click the appropriate button, and then move the cursor over the active net window, it will change to the shape of the node to be added.  Next click on the place in the window where you want the node to appear, and it will be added there, with the cursor returning to normal.

Alternate Adding Options:  Besides the toolbar, you can add new nodes to your net in the following ways:

1. Right-click on the background and choose Modify → New Node and choose the desired node type from the list.  For more info, see below.

2. Using the Overhead menu, choose Modify → Add to add a Nature, Decision, Utility, or constant node, or to add a new link.

3. Use a shortcut equivalent.

Multiple:  To add a series of nodes, double-click on the toolbar button for the type of nodes you wish to add, or double-press f9 (i.e. press it twice in quick succession).  The cursor will change to the shape of the node as before, but now it will be darkened indicating that a number of nodes may be added in a series.

To exit this node-adding mode, click the node-adding button again, or press the node-adding Fx key again, or click the button, or press the Pause/Break button (or click on a different node-adding button or press a different node-adding key).

Node Types:  Often the most useful way to add nodes is by right-clicking, because then you can choose what type of node to add, instead of setting it later (through the dialog box).

Nature - Discrete   DEFINITION

Nature - Boolean   DEFINITION

Nature - Numeric Continuous   CONTINUOUS VS. DISCRETE

Nature - Numeric Discrete

Decision   DEFINITION

Decision - Boolean

Utility   DEFINITION

Constant   DEFINITION

Properties:  When a node is first added it will be selected.  Whenever a node is selected you can press the enter key to bring up a dialog box for setting node properties, and when the dialog box first comes up, its field for setting the node’s name is selected for changing.  This makes it possible to quickly add a node with a certain name.  Just click the appropriately shaped cursor where you want the node to be, press the enter key, type the name, and then press the enter key again.  There is no need to think about the dialog box or wait for it to be fully drawn.

Node Palette:  You can use the Node Palette to store nodes that you use frequently.  To store a node, copy it and choose Window → Node Palette, which will bring up a window to paste the node.  Whenever you use Netica, you can open the Node Palette from your Netica download folder,  to retrieve your stored nodes (called Palette.neta).  The palette is really useful for placing text on your nets.

Node Groups: To help with visual organization, you can group nodes together, to form node-sets.   See also grouping node states.

Deleting Nodes: If you want to delete a node from your net, you can simply highlight it and press the Delete or the Backspace buttons.  However, if the node was linked to other nodes, there are some things to consider before deleting it entirely, as its deletion could affect your CPTs.  More Info
See also Node Styles