Maya Bifrost Graph

The Bifrost graph is a node editor for creating all sorts of effects. As maya is a node based software the graph is represented as one node in the standard node editor just as the outputted bif shapes that can be created with Bifrost graph. Despite the Bifrost graph containing many Bifrost nodes, it is one node in the node editor. It can be seen as a hierarchy of node editors with the node editor being the top one and the Bifrost graph and the Hypershade below. Bifrost can be used as a seperate system within maya where you can plug things in and get things out. Summary based of this:Getting Started with the Bifrost Graph - Maya Learning Channel =Working with Bifrost Graph=

Creating Nodes
In the Bifrost Graph nodes are created by pressing the tab button and typing or picking a node. Similar to nuke or the maya node editor.

Creating input nodes
Middle drag an object from the outliner to the Bifrost Graph to create an input node with the shape node of that object. When you go to the display tab of the outliner you can check "Shapes". Then you can middle drag the shape node to the Bifrost graph so the node will have the appropriate name. Note that when you drag the transform node to the graph you will get an input of the shape node, but with the name of the transform node. More info on how these basic maya nodes work.

Connecting wires
Wires are connected by clicking and dragging from one knob to another. When the sort of data doesn't match a wire can't be created. A knob that looks like this can take multiple inputs.

Creating a Compound
Select a number of nodes and press cntr+g

Navigating with compounds
Double click a compound to edit it's contents in a separate tab in the node editor. To go back to the editor containing the compound click on the graph name above the editor(the one to the left of the blue one). Note that this works in a hierarchical way. You can also press the left button

Exploding Compounds
Exploding a compound will bring all the containing nodes back in to the current editor. To explode a compound right-click the compound and select "explode"

watch points
A watchpoint is table that shows all the data values going through a wire. It doesn't do anything it's just for visualization.

Create a Watchpoint
Right-click a wire and select "add watchpoint"

Create Backdrop

 * 1) Select the nodes that you want your backdrop to contain.
 * 2) Right-click empty space and select "create backdrop"

Change the color of a backdrop
Double-click the bottom right corner of the backdrop.

Documentation
Aside from this wonderful wiki to get information about Bifrost you can look at the following things:
 * 1) The Maya Learning Channel
 * 2) The Bifrost Documentation On the homepage are links to the forum and tutorials as well!
 * 3) The help tab at the top of the Bifrost Graph window.
 * 4) On every node there is an info tab that documents the inputs and outputs of the node!