Overview
Places a small path shape onto the final canvas at the position you choose. Shape nodes create paths on a shape-sized canvas, which makes downstream previews tiny and awkward — insert this node right after the shape and every following preview switches to the final canvas size. Place several parts separately and they line up exactly as planned when you overlay them at the end.
Usage tips
- The go-to flow:
shape_generate→ path_place →path_deform/path_transform/path_stroke. Placement lives here; motion lives downstream. - Choose one of the nine anchor presets (center, corners, edges) or Custom — dragging inside the inspector's placement editor moves the shape directly (and switches to Custom automatically).
- Set the canvas width/height to your final canvas. Give every path_place the same size and the stroked results overlay pixel-perfectly.
- Position X/Y are animatable (🎞️) for slow repositioning moves.
Common mistakes
- The shape gets clipped — its frame extends past the canvas. Check that the green frame stays inside the dashed canvas outline in the placement editor (intentional overhang is fine; the path data is never lost).
- Dragging the numbers does nothing — the anchor is still on a preset. Switch to Custom or drag in the placement editor.
Related nodes
shape_generate— makes the shape to place (upstream)path_transform— fine-tuning, rotation and scaling after placement (use it for motion)path_stroke/path_fill— draw the placed path onto the final canvascanvas_resize— position adjustment after rasterizing to an image