# Suggestions from a Redmatic user

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/suggestions-from-a-redmatic-user/40297>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [3 February 2021 10:23 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/suggestions-from-a-redmatic-user/40297 "2021-02-03T10:23:32Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![hlwerschner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/fbc32d/32.png) [@hlwerschner](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/hlwerschner)\
**Post date:** [3 February 2021 10:23 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/suggestions-from-a-redmatic-user/40297/1 "2021-02-03T10:23:33Z")

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Hi,  
I am new to Node-Red - using it from Redmatic inside - and could not find a specific "suggestions" category, so I am inserting my ideas here:

1. when creating a flow in my working window (I use a Win 10 PC with 4K monitor), even there I soon had created a nice mess of connectors overlapping and/or been hidden partially behind nodes. From the use of "normal" graphics editors/cadapps I am used to have two features to make graphics more easy to look at/manipulate:  
1.a) having layers to group objects (here: connectors especially) and / or control visibility  
1.b) assigning COLORs (styles) to individual connectors (or groups)

2. I have nodes which have (currently) up to 7 outputs which are all placed in small vertical distance along the right edge of the node rectangle displayed. For 1, 2 or 3 outputs, its OK for just grapping the correct output to start dragging a connector, but when you have some more and have to keep a (complete) overview of a growing flow, you soon want some help in starting at the correct output. Therefore:  
2.a) allow to "name" an output inside of the node. Especially "function-nodes" control outputs via a Javascript "return [....];" statement. It would be very convenient to do that naming / access the output-pin-names within the code.  
2.b) I have not found out how to set the number of outputs directly inside of a "function-node" source to match that "number of outputs" in the node properties dialog. Is this already possible?.  
2.c) Last but not least, I would like to get some "graphical feedback" in the editor when I move the mouse over a node output (that small ring being the start of a connector). I suggest that there may be a small context help popping up (with the 2.a) "name") and perhaps make this help controlled by a config option - if you want to deactivate such info been shown.

OK, these are my ideas for today. What do you think about them? Any chance to see them in a future release and/or is it possible to help integrate this?

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**Author:** ![dceejay](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/dceejay/32/38_2.png) [@dceejay](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/dceejay)\
**Post date:** [3 February 2021 10:54 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/suggestions-from-a-redmatic-user/40297/2 "2021-02-03T10:54:28Z")

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Hi, thanks for the thoughts. I don't know Redmatic so not sure how well it lines up with the latest core functionality. However..

1. 

- Since 1.1 you have been able to group nodes - see [Version 1.1 released : Node-RED](https://nodered.org/blog/2020/06/30/version-1-1-released#grouping-nodes) so you can move them / colour the group etc.
- Careful use of link nodes allows you to clean up a mess of wires - especially those going from right of screen back to left.
- Also by segmenting your flow into suitable tabs (and linking via link nodes) - you can "hide" those chunks while you work on others.

1. 

-a&c all nodes allow you to assign labels to ports... which then appear when you hover over..  
 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/5/7/57927494c50178bad032f6ea901b1a2957c203dd.png)  
 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/8/8/88c6014302b8e50daf690b4eadef03a0b7143069.png)  
 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/0/6/06f787333004f5653e1eb60237a97c860fb4db62.png)

- b not sure what you mean - the number of "physical" outputs is set by the properties... if the code inside wants to use them or not is up to the code, it can't be done automatically.

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**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/1X/d073cd938eafa2e558d7c2cd59003b3ef4963033.png) [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [4 April 2021 10:55 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/suggestions-from-a-redmatic-user/40297/3 "2021-04-04T10:55:10Z")

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